Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-29

dare to enter here
He was mistaken. Delirious il
their fears and woes, and exasperat
ed fanaticism, the murderous rabbi,
invaded that holy sanctuary. On th,
very steps of the altar, to which b,
had retreated for shelter, they assas
sinated their intended benefactor
Now throughout the city, despite
the harangues of Olinska and the
proclamation of the commandant
General Terapkin, increased excess
es, murders, robberies and intoxica
ton followed.
And the plague still spread its
spotted wings over the doomed cap
ital.
There was one wretch, wealthy
but more miserable than all, in the
midst of these terrible connections ir
the pestilential city.
That man was the fatricide, Kar
tan Salakoff.
Not as a merchant, but a recluse
and miser he was known now. Re
morse had settled upon his guilty soul
All the treasure he had won by blood
weighed like mountain on his heart
He crept through the streets ar
emaciated, shrinking, suspicious crea
ture.
He felt that the angry eye of Goo
was ever upon him. Of some sudder
retribution at the hands of men be
was hourly apprehensive.
Bethinking himself of the prophetic
enchantress, Olinska, he had just de
termined to seek her and ask infor
nation as to the future, when he re
celved a summons to appear before
her.
To the humble hovel where Olinska
chose to abide, he was now conduct.
ed by her messenger.
"She knows my every thought p re-
fected the affrighted assassin. "Lo
L but thought of her and she sends
for me. Her knowledge must be mi
raculous. | dare not disobey, and
yet | dread to show my face in her
awful presence
As he stood, with obsequiously
bowed and uncovered head and fold,
ed hands. before the enchantress, who
had received him alone
"Art thou Kartan Salakoff?" she
demanded.
"The omnicient Olinska knows it.
said kartan.
She fixed upon him a severe glance,
which seemed to search his inmost
soul.
"Your thoughts are disturbed, Sal
akoff," said she.
"Mysterlous mistress of all wis
dom, | confess that they are !" return.
ed he; "aud | would tain know of
thee what is to be my end, and if life
will ever be happier to me-
ut was for this purpose that sum.
moned you hither, Salakoff. l do
know your thoughts. | will answer
you in solemn truth. Remorse is the
continual curse of your SOUL"
kartan ialtered, and his visage be.
came still paler. A glance at Olin-
ska awed him into admission that she
spoke but truth. He bowed assent
"Kartan Salakof,," said the en-.
chantress, "look on high, and tell me
what you see there"
"Only," said the trembling Grimm.
al, looking upward-"only the dingy
ceiling of this abode"
"Whatl" replied Olinska, "see you
not the spirits of your murdered broth.
er, Nearchus. and Paula, his wife ?"
The accused man started back, ap.
palled, and looked wistfuliy toward
the door.
"Stay, murderer, and hearken to
me! Deem you that that doubly &C
cursed murder will go unavenged p
Think you that when Heaven com
missioned Olinska to heal the wounds
and punish the sins of Russia, her
eyes were not fixed on you among
the rest? Fratricide ! what excuse
hast thou for that twofold murder p
Fourfold, perchance-for where are
the flying children whom you strip
ped at once of parents and home 2?
Il know not, nor have | ever heard,
replied kartan, with terror-gleaming
eyes. "I would have cherished them
haG they not fed. in atonement."
ayes. kartan Salakoff, even as you
cherished your brothers life and love
Tremble for the last sun of thy per.
nicious life has shone upon thee p
Olinska stamped her foot, and four
men suddenly emerged from closet
where they had listened to Kartan's
confession.
YOU have heard the assassin
Bind his arms and bear him to the
confines of the city. There, even be-
fore the door of his dead brothers
house, let him be stoned to death"
"Mercy, great enchantress p plead
ed Kartan.
"Mercy is for the merciful. Does
the wild beast with bloody claws ask
pardon of his hunters ?"
The man was bound, and Olinska
followed by the rest, strode forth, on
to the place she had designated, call
ing on the people as she passed, to
come and witness the work of fjustice
"This plague has come amongst us
by suffering such as he to live 2" ex
claimed she. And she related to the
credulous rabble, with eloquent con
demnation, the story of the sins of
Kartan. aa
"Here, in sight of his brothers
house, men hurl your stones upon the
viper whose pitiless ingratitude de-
stroyed a family. Immediate him here
and let the story of retribution ascend
to heaven in your shouts r
The victims quivering form was as
sailed by volley of missils, and be
fell mutilated corpse to the earth
a mid tho T,r;oua curses and elamOrs