The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-05-10
The Last Melody Of Paul Postal, til
Russian COnSpiratOr.

The Last Melody Of Paul Postal, til
Russian COnspiratOr.
5aThe Emperor Alexander was dead. His
eldest brother, the Grand Duke Constan-
tine, was his natural successor to the
throne of Russia; but by deed till then
kept secret, Constantine, in Alexander's
lifetime, had renowned the crown In
favor of his younger brother, Nicholas.
The accession of the latter, therefore, ex
cited general surprise, an unsettled feel
ing manifested itself among the people
and the army. The time appeared favor
able for the breaking out of a conspiracy
which had been forming for years. An
instruction took place at st. Petersburg
on Christmas Day, 1926; but the move
ment of the conspirators was too hasty,
and their attempt, not we'll seconded by
| the troops, failed through the energy
| of the Gar. A hundred and thirty-six
! leaders of the insurrectlon were seized,
tried and condemned, and almost all of
them were sentenced to perpetual labor or
to exile in Siberia. The five principal
chiefs were condemned to be broken on
the wheel, but did not undergo that hor-
rible punishment, the gibbet being sub
stituted by ukase of the Emperor.
Among these five chiefs the first and
most remarkable was Paul Postal, Col
onel of the infantry regiment OF Wiatka.
The long and arduous task to which he
had devoted himself had not wholly en-
crossed the mind of this brave and perse-
yering conspirator. Alive to the charms
of the arts, he cultivated them with sue
cess, and, in particular, with an excellent
musician. The young and beautiful Cath
crime W had conceived devoted at
tachment to Postal. Gifted with an ex-
ouisite voice, she loved to sing his melo-
dies. The passion with which she in
spired him was as fervent as her own, and
if ever the deep conspirator could forget
his gloomy reveries, it was when seated
by GATHERINGS side, and dreaming of love
and happiness.
On the eve of the day when the insur-
rection was to break out, Postal, more
preoccupied than usual, scarcely an
, swered Catherine, and at times seemed
not to hear her.
"What ails you to-day, PaulV' she
said, taking his hand. You do not look
at me-you do not speak to me. l never
. saw you so cold, so absent, when. you
: were with me-
Paul looked at her sadly.
!; "What would you do, Catherine, were
:. YOU never to see me again?"
81 should die!' cried Catherine, will
), enthusiasm; and then added, in a voice o.
: terror" But why this question, Paul
= Can you think Of forsaking me!"
Postal was silent.
Il "But it cannot be-" said Catherine
: "You have sworn to love me till death" :
= Eyes! While this heart beats 1t l
> YOURS Catherine, but" he added, EN-
: bracing her with melancholy tenderness
y :, promise me, if die, that you will llv
y = for the sake Of your father, and that
- even when dead, | shall never cease
- occupy your thoughts
= II promise to live as long as my grle
> will allow. But Of us two, Paul, it is nc
- l who shall have this cruel trial to under
N CO."
- "There are presentiments that do ne
~ deceive" said Postal, declining his hea
on his breast: San inward voice war;
me that must abandon my two happie'
visions-the bliss of living in the enjo.
mcnt of your love, Catherine, and tt
Of glory of assuring the welfare my coul
rk trymen.'
girl. whose fear and agitation increase
nd every minute; "what mean these myster
ne Gus words, these gloomy prediction
n. Paul you are concealing secret.
,rs Eyes, Catherine"
a "a secret from me, who never had or
ore from your' :,
nv "And; if may judge from your look
All YOUR words, your thoughts Of death yo
rs. parting. it must be something very tie
b. riblc!"
he "Terrible indeed"
of After moments silence, Postal co
id tinued:
we "Hear me, Catherine, when shs
lis give you this evening, my farewell X
,er It may, perhaps, be the last you will
ith ceive from me- But whatever may be
er lot, whenever you are told Paul is des
M come, and you shall find remembran
on of me, for, swear to you, my last thong
ed shall be Of YOU
us Pestal's presentiment did not dece1
the him! He saw Catherine no more.
ere The day after the execution OF his 81
NV tence young girl, drowned in tears,
re. tanned from the keeper Of the prison
the favor of being admitted to Pestal's cell
the After long search she discovered Sol
He lines of music penciled on the WI
cci Above them were only the two Wor
was . For herr Underneath was Paul's mar
use, Two years afterward, there died, IN
led lunatic asylum, poor maniac, VIII.
the madness consisted in singing, every q
am and at the same hour, the same little m
ody. The madwoman was Catherln
the hour that which she was admit
to her lovers duugeon-and the air