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, tn
81 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 q conspiracy
which had been forming for years. An
insurrection 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 insurrection 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 ne
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-
quisite 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 ais you to-day, Paul2' she
said, taking his hand. You DO not look
at me-you do not speak to me. never
saw you so cold, 50 absent, when. you
: were with me-" WITH
Paul looked at her sadly.
"What would you do, Catherine, were
!. you never to see me again?"
II should diel' cried Catherine, witt
enthusiasm; and then added, in voice Q
terror But why this question, Paul
Can YOU think Of forsaking met"
I Postal was silent.
! "But it cannot be-" said Catherine
.You have sworn to love me till death. !"
Eyes! While this heart beats It
. yours. Catherine, but" he added, EN-
7 bracing her with melancholy tenderness
! ! " promise me, if die, that you will lly
! for the sake Of your father, and tina
= even when dead, shall never cease
I, occupy your thoughts III
= q promise to live as long as my grie
: will allow. But Of us two, Paul, it is NJ
= / who shall have this cruel trial to unde
= CO."
= "There are presentiments that do NJ
= deceive" said Postal, declining his hea
on his breast: an inward voice war;
me that must abandon my two happie
visions-the bliss Of living in the enjo
mcnt Of your love, Catherine, and Il
ef glory Of assuring the welfare ofmy cou
* trymen."
Q. nWhat do you mean?" cried the your
4 girl. whose fear and agitation incrcas'
ID every minute; "what mean these mystel
ne GUS words, these gloomy prediction
u, Paul you are concealing secret Y
RS !" Yes, Catherine"
a "a secret from me, who never had OF
&c from your
r. And if / may judge from your lool
~ vour words. your thoughts Of death 20
q. parting, it must be something very t
b. rible I"
be aTerrible indecd!"
Of "After moments silence, Postal &C
id tinued:
We aHear me, Catherine, when ! sh
Is. give you this evening, my farewell <
yer It may, perhaps, be the last you will
iii ceive from me. But whatever may be
er lot. whenever you are told Paul il de-
M come, and you shall find . remembrar
on Of me, for, swear to you, my last thoul
ed shall be Of you"
is Pestal's presentiment did not dece
the himi He saw Catherine no more.
ere The day after the execution Of his 9
nv tence young girl, drowned IN tears,
re- tanned from the keeper Of the prison
the favor Of being admitted to Pestals cell
TIE After long search she discovered 20
ne lines Of music penciled on the "
cci- Above them were only the two wol
was z For hern Underneath was Paul's nal
use. Two years afterward, there died, il
led lunatic asylum, poor maniac, wh
the madness consisted in singing, every
an and at the same hour, the same little
lody. The madwoman was Catherin
the hour that which she was admit
to her lovers dungeon and the cir
the last melody Of Postal nglis1sn'
D0nnzstic MnUdziae.