Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-07-30
MISCELLANE GUS.
HOW APPEARANCES ARE NEVER
CERTAIN,

~ IL u mOSt TemarkaOIc instance OF appear
auces being altogether opposed TO facts
Is contained III true accident which bctell
Prasca Loupowlof, the heroic Russian girl
who travelled on foot from Siberia to St. Pc.
tersburg for the purpose of soliciting the
pardon of her exiled parents from the hands
OF the Emperor upon which noble proof of a
daughters love the tale of Elizabeth or,
The Exiles OF Siberia" is founded.
She CHANGED to arrive after nghtfall in q
town the name of which she never could
learn exactly, and knocking at the door of
the first house she came to, it was opened by
an old maU of must fOrbidding countenauce.
He rudeiy inquired what she wanted, and
wheu she asked tor nights lodging, shut
the door in her face. An instant after he
called her back and said she light come in
If she pleased. Prasca felt rather sorry than
glad that he had changed his mind, and the
sight OF his wife, an old woman even moro
uupIeasnnt-loCking than himself, did not
make her more comfortable. The room they
were sitting in was large and gloomy, lighted
only by pieces OF pine wood, smelling strong.
ly OF turpentine. These were stuck into the
wall iu several places, and gave an uncertain,
hrckcring light, that, to the mind of Prascs,
had something i'll it awful aud unearthly-
Her hosts bade her sit down, and before they
offered her as much a crust of bread be-
gan to cross. examine her as to where she
came from, where she going to, and
what money she had for her journey.
Il have eighty bras kopeks,' she said,
"that were given me at kamonichief"
Aud she felt at the moment how willingly
would she have given the whole sum to be
out of their hands.
That can not be-, said the old woman
'cighry k"peks to 20 from Siberia to St. Pc
tcisburg You must have gold or notes."
Indeed, | tail you the truth" said the
poor grrI land if you please, you may see
my purse"
Upon this they gave her few potatoes,
and told her to lie down in her clothes on
sort of platform over the stove, where Rus
sian peasants, who are too poor to have beds,
often pass the night. She did so, taking
the precaution, however, to leave her bag on
the floor, that it might be seen she had no
fear OF being searched. She could not sleep,
but lay still, listening to what was going for
ward To her extreme terror she first heard
the old woman carefully bolt the door and
fssten the bars of the window shutters,
then her husband said in whisper:
mo one saw her come in; We can do
what VIC please"
After few minutes, during which she
concluded they were examining the contents
OF her bag, he again said:
'.Tbis is all nonsense. She must have
money. Do you not see an oil>skin bag tied
around her neck I'
And presently the old woman climed up
the side OF the stove, aud Prasca saw her
dreadful ewes peeriug at her as she lay
Fearing they would murder her she begged
for mercy, aud showed the little purse with
2 ha En- -.,.L- nd tkar
leave the passport only. and take all the
rest. To this the Old woman made M am
swer, hu; feiI in her pockets, pulled of her
boots. examined her dress from head 10 foot,
and at last went down without hurting her
Prasca heard nothing more till some time af-
ter the deep breathing of her host and host
ess assured her they we're both asleep, and
overcome by fatigue she fell asleep also.-
When she awoke it was broad daylight, and
the old woman was up cooking and the first
words she heard were to bid her come and
have some stchi with them before she con-
tinued her journey. IStchi is q sort of soup
made of salt meat ard sour cabbage, on
which the Russian peasants live almost en-
tirely.
The old man brought a jug of kras, or
beer made from the grain of rye, out of the
cellar. and they both pressed her to sit down
with them to breakfast The terrors of the
night appeared like dream till the old wo-
man herself alluded to what had happened.
''I wanted to find out, she said, "wheth-
er you were an honest girl or whether you
had been telling Us lies. We are quite sat
isfed about you now"
In spite of this change in their behavior
Prasca felt no regret at quitting their house
She go. out of the town IS quickly as she
could, and after some time she sat down uu>
der tree, and had tho curiosity to count
the money in her bag, What was her sur
prise when, instead of eighty kopeks, she
found one hundred and twenty The
strange old couple had added forty more.