Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-10-08
The Horrors Of Siberian Exile.

vi Inc treatment OF pOlltlcal eXlleS In
Siberia | have before me thrilling de-
scliption from the pen of Mr.. Robert
Lemke, German writer, who has visited
the various penal establishments of Russia
with an official legitimation. He had
been to Tobolsk; after which he had to
make long, dreary journey in wretched
car,until high mountain rose before him.
In its torn and craggy flank the mountain
showed colossal opening similar to the
mouth of burnt-out crater. Fetid vapors,
which almost took away his breath, as
cended from it.
Pressing his handkerchief upon his lips,
Mr.. Lemkc entered the opening OF the
rock, where he found large watch house.
with picket of Cossacks. Having shown
his papers, he was conducted by guide
through long, very dark and narrow
corridor which, Judging from Its sloping
descent, led down into some unknown
depth. In spite OF his gooo lur, the visitor
felt extremely cold. After walk OF some
ten minutes through the dense obscurlty,
the ground becoming more and more soft,
vague simmer OF light became observa-
BILE. I've are in the mine" said the
guide, pointing with significant gesture
to the high IRON cross-bars, which closed
the cavern before them.
The massive bars were covered with q
thick rust. A Waterman appeared, who
unlocked the heavy IRON gate. Entering
room OF considerable extent, but which
was scarcely mans height, and which
was dimly lit by an OIL lamp the visitor
asked: "Where are We!' IN the sleeping
room of the condemned! Formerly 1t was
the productive gallery OF the mine; now
it serves as shelter. ~
The visitor shuddered. Ihls subterranean
sepulcher, lit by neither sun nor moon,
was called a sleeping room. Aicove like
cells We're hewn into the rock, here on a
couch OF damp, half rotten straw covered
with sackcloth, the unfortunate sufferers
were to repose from the days work.
Over each cell cramp-lron was liked,
wherewlth to lock up the prisoners like
ferocious dogs. No door, no window any
where.
Conducted through another passage,
where few lanterns were placed, and
the end OF which was also barred by an
iron gate, Mr.. Lemke came to vault
which was partly lit. This was the mine.
A deafening noise of pickaxes and ham
mers. There he saw hundreds of wre!ched
figures, with shaggy boards, slckly faces.
Redeemed eyelids; clad in tatters, some of
them barefoot, others in sandals, tettered
with heavy foot chains. No song, no
whistling. Now and then they shyly
looked at the visitor and his companion.
The water dripped from the stones; the
tatters OF the convlcts were thoroughly
wet. One OF them. tall man OF suffering
mein, labored hard with gasplng breatht
but the strikes OF his plckax were not
heavy and firm enough TO loosen the rock.
"Why are you hereP' Mr.. Lemke
asked.
The convict looked confused, with AN
air almost OF CONSERVATION, and silently
continued his WORK. -,
:" 1t is forbidden to the prisoners" said
the inspector, " to speak OF the cause OF
their banishment.
Entombed alive; forbidden to say why!
"But who is the conVict!' Mr.. Lemke
ashed the guide in a low voice.
"lt is No. ll4'' the guide replied
laconically.
This | see" answered the visitor; "but
what are the mans antecedents? To what
family does he belong?"
He is count, replied the guide; "a
well known conspirator. More, l regret
to say, cannot tell you about No. a."
The visitor felt as if he were stifed in
the grayelike atmosphere-as if his chest
were pressed in by demoniacal night
mare. He hastily asked his guide TO