The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-06-29
THE EMERALD RING.

! huooI'u Cipltai, l;tf young Slfi liireN
herself upon the crimson cushions Of tht
divan in the embrasure Of & large win
dow. Alarm and anxiety were depicted
on her features, and she constantly clasp
ed and unclasped her small hands, ant
nervousl V arose and looked out into tht
street, and then reseated herself rs il
awaiting some painful Intelligence ]
was the fair young Natalie Radetski, tn,
beauty of the Russian Court,upon whom
nature and fortune had showered every
gift, and for whom even the stern fea
lures of the Emperor Nicholas would re
lax into something like smile as he
looked upon her beauty and grace.
Hastily the door opened, and a young
man advanced towards her.
Il am come to bid you farewell Natalie,
he said, in voice broken by emotion.
"Oh, Alexis! what is it! cried the
young girl,
81 have displeased the Emperor, and
he has ordered my arrest"
"The Emperor will pardon you-]
will go to him. said she. "He will not
refuse me. He has always been so kind
to me-"
'Alas! my Natalie. He will refuse
you this. The Emperor believes me con
cerned in conspiracy, and he never for.
gives. l am innocent, but he will not
believe it. | know not what is to be
done with me; but if am sent to Sibe-
ria
ITO Siberia Oh, Alexis it cannot
bet cannot bew
For a moment neither spoke. AT
length with powerful effort at self
trol, the young man said, Natalie, let me
place this ring upon your finger, and
promise me that you will wear it always
in memory of what my love has been to
you. The Emperor will force you to
marry. do not wish the thought OF
me to make you always wretched."
He placed upon her finger ring, in
which was single emerald Of great
brilliancy.
''Do not take it of, nor. read the in
scription, till you hear certainly that l
have been banished," he said. A shiver
of horror ran through her frame, but he
went on firmly ''Then read it; it will
comfort you. Now 1 must go. The
Emperor allowed me this interview, and
the guards are awaiting me-"
He clasped her conyulsively to his
breast, kissed her brow and lips, and
laying her gently upon the divan, passed
ont In the street the guards awaited
him.
The words of her lover did not deter
Natalie from attempting to save him
She sent a petition to the Emperor, i'm
ploring an interview; but it was denied
her. She waylaid the Empress.
"AIy poor child" said the Empress
kindly, Il would gladly take you to the
Emperor, even at the risk Of incurring
his displeasure; but it is too late. Alexis
Potemkin has been sent to Siberia for
life"
Natalie heard not.
Gift her up" said the Empress; "she
has tainted"
But Natalie had not tainted. Slowly,
but resolutely, she rose, and making a
gesture of respectful submission to the
Empress. begged leave to retire.
When Natalie reached her own apart
ment, she drew from her finger the ring
that Alexis had placed upon it, and read
the inscription carved upon the inside in
French-"Death is the only consoler,"
it said. 'We shall meet in heavenn'
There is no place more terrible, even
in Imagination, than the mines in Siberia.
Bleak and comfortless as is the climate,
it is the least cause Of suffering endured
by the unfortunate criminals who are
thus condemned to slavery far worse
than death Chained so heavily that
they can hardly perform the labor i'm
posed on them; watched by cruel over
seers ever ready, with whip in hand, to
punish any tagging or rebellion, the
wretched sufferers have no relief from
incessant, wearying toll, blows, and
coarse, hard fare, until death mercifully
puts an end to their trials.
Among the condemned in large
quick silver mine in the very heart Of the
country, thousands of verst from St. Pc
tersburg, stopped at his daily toll form
whose tall and noble proportions even
his coarse habit scarcely shrouded. The
same unearthly pallor was on his coun-
tenance, as upon that Of every toiler in
those fearful regions, but his eyes shone
with extraordinary brilliancy. Every
now and then he raised them for a mo-
ment, as if in prayer, and his thin hands
were clasped tightly to his breast while
he murmured the name of Natalie He
had but one hope-death, the consoler,
would come soon. His delicate frame,
unused to labor, and exposed to the rigor
Of an Arctic climate, soSt yielded to the
unhealthiness of his occupation; and he
was fast sinking under his trials Yes,
death would come, gentle death-and his
heart leaped with momentary JOY. The
brutal overseer might curse, and his lash
might cut deeply into the delicate flesh;
but death would come at last, and with
it consolation!
The struggle was not long. A few
davs of confinement to hard pallet, a
few nights of suffering, and the fiat,
which even an imperial decree could not
stop, went forth. The victim was re
leased.
Three months after this, the Grand
Chamberlain Of Russia presented him.
self before Mademoiselle Radetslli, and
summoned her to the presence of the
Emperor.
When conducted to the palace, his
Majesty dismissed the gentleman in
waiting, and signed her to approach
His stern features were contracted by an
expression of deep displeasure.
"Why does Mademoiselle Radetski
wear mourning :" he said. "Does she
mourn for conspirators who would sub
vert the government and bring destruc-
ton upon their country"
''No, SIRE" she answered. 81 wear
mourning for one whom your Majesty
saw fit to condemn, but to whom, by
your express command, l promised my
hand"
"We will not discuss the past" replied
the Gar. coldly. II sent for YOU for q