River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-07-18
A STARTLING ADVENTURE.
How appearances are Mover certain.

!
| The most remarkable instance of ap
pearances being altogether opposed tc
! facts is contained in true incident which
| befell Prasca Loupowloff, the heoric Rus
| sian girl WHO travelled on foot from ST
IBERIA to ST. Petersburg foI the purpose
of soliciting the pardon CT her exiled
parents from the hands of the Emperor,
upon which noble proof of daughters
love the tale of elizabeth: or, The Ex-
lies of Siberia, is founded.
| She CHANGED to arrive after nightfali in
/ a town the name of which she never could
learn exactly, and knocking at the door
| of the first door she came to, it was open
| ed by an old man of a most foTbidding
countenance. He rudely inquired what
she wanted, and when she asked for a
nights lodging, shut the door in her face.
| An instant after he called her back and
said she might 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 more I'M
pleasant looking than himself, did not
make her feel more comfortable. The
gloomy, lighted only by pieces OF pine
wood. smelling strongly of turpentine.
These were stuck into the wall In sever
al places, and gave an uncertain, flicker
ing light, that, to the mind of Prasca, had
something in it awful and unearthly.
Her hosts babe her sit down. and before
they offered her as much as crust of
| bread began to cross-examine her as to
where she came from, where she was 60
ing 10, and what money she had for her
journey.
II have eighty brass kopeks, she said
that were given me at Kamonichieff"
And she felt at the moment how will
ingty would she have given the whole
sum to be out of their hands.
That can not be-" said the old wo
man; "eighty kopeks to go from Siberia
or ST. Petersburg! You must have gold
or notes.
Indeed, | tell you the TRUTH said
tn poor girl; ''and 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 Russian peasants, who are too poor
10 have beds, often pass the night. she
did so taking 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
10 what was going forward To her ex-
IRENE terror she first head the old wo-
man cartully bolt the door and iasten the
! bars of the window shutter; taen her nus
band said in whisper:
No one saw her come in; We can DO
what we please.
After few minutes, during which she
/ concluded they were examining the con-
! tents OF her bag. he again said:
This is all ne nsense. she must nave
money. Did you not see an oil-skIn bag
/ ted round ner neck!
| And presently the old woman climbed
up the side of the stove, and Prasca saw
| her dreadful eyes peering at her as she
Law Fearing they would murder her
she begged for mercy, and showed the
/ little pnrs With the kopeks and passport
entreating them to leave the passport on Y,
and take ali the rest. To this the old
woman made no answer, but felt IN Der
pockets, pulled OF her boots. examined her
/ dIess from head to foot. and at last went
down again without hurting her. Prasca
/ heard nothing more till, some time alter,
the deep breathing oi her host ana hostess
/ assured her they were both asleep, ana
overcome by fatigue she fell asleep also
i When she aweke it was broad dayIghte
and the old woman was up and cooking
and the first words she heard were to bld
her come and have some stchi with them
before she continued her journey. Sfch,
/ is a sort isoup made Of salt meat and
sour -aiohaoe on which the Russian peas
an. live stEentirely.
The old man brought a jug OF kTas, q
beer made from the grain of rye, out q
the celler. and they both pressed her e
sit down with them to breakfast Inc
terrors Of the night appeared like dream
till the old woman herself alluded @
what had happened.
II wanted to find out" she said'
s.whether you were an honest girl o.
whether you had been telling us lies
are quite satisfied about ron now.
In spite of the change in their penas'