The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-09-25
The Horrors Of Siberian Exile.

|
IBERIA Ihave before mea thrilling description
from the pen OF Mr.. Robert Lemke, Ger
man writer. who has visited the various PEI
nal establishments OF Russia with an Of
fetal 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 ant
craggy flank the mountain showed colossa
opening similar to the mouth OF a burnt.out
crater. Fetid vapors, which almost took
away his breath, assembled from it.
Pressing his handkerchief upon his lips,
Mr.. Lemke entered the opening Of the rock
where he found large watchhouse, with q
picket of Cossacks. Having shown his pa.
pers,he was conducted by his guide through
long,very dark and narrow corridor, which
judging from its sloping descent, led down
into some unknown Depth In spite of his
good fur, the visitor felt extremely cold.-
After walk of ten minutes through the
dense obscurity, the ground becoming more
and more soft, q vague simmer OF light be
came observable. s'We are In the mine p
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 thick
rust. A Waterman appeared, who unlocked
the heavy iron gate. Entering a room Of
considerable extent, but which was scarcely
mans height, and which was dimly lit by
an oil-lamp. the visitor asked s'Where are
we?.' SIN the sleeping room of the con-
demned. Formerly it was productive
gallery OF the mine; now it serves as shell
ter" rrs-a5r M rs
The visitor shuddered. This subterranean
sepulchre, lit by neither sun nor moon was
called sleeping room. Alcove-like cells
were hewn into the rock; here, on couch,
Of damp, half-rotten straw, covered with a
sackcloth, the unfortunate sufferers were to
repose from the day s work. Over each cell
cramp iron was fixed, wherewith to lock
up the prisoners like ferocious dogs. No door,
no window anywhere.
Conducted through another passage, where
few lanterns were placed, and whose end
was also barred by an iron gate, Mr.. Lemke
came to large vault, part lit. This was the
mine, "A deafening noise of pickaxes and
hammers. There he saw some hundreds of
wretched figures, with shaggy boards. sickly
faces, Redeemed eyelids !; clad in tatters,
some of them barefoot, others in sandals.
iettered with heavy foot-chains. No song,
no whistllng. Now and then they shyly
looked at the visitor and his companion.
The water dripped from the stones; the
tatters Of the convicts were thoroughly wet.
One OF them, a tall man OF suffering mien,
labored hard with gasping breath, but the
strokes OF his pickaxe were not heavy and
firm enough to loosen the rock. f.
':Why are you here?" Mr.. Lemke asked.
The convict looked confused, with an air
almost OF CONSERVATION, and silently con-
tinued his work.
SIT is forbidden to the prisoners said the
inspector, ''to speak Of the cause OF their
Punishment 70
9"Entombed alive; forbidden to say why ~
"But who is the convict 90 Mr.. Lemke
| asked the guide, with low voice. W
s'It is Number ia! the guide replied,
laconically. W
| 'sThis see," answered the visitor shut
what are the mans antecedents? To what
family does he belong ?''
HE is a COUNT replied the guide; we'll
known conspirator. More, regret to say,
cannot tell you about ia y, -s'--.s H.
| The visitor felt as If he were stifed in the
grave-like atmosphere-as if his chest were
pressed In by demoniacal nightmare. He
hastily asked his guide to return with him to
the upper world. Meeting there the COM
mander of the military establishment, he
was oblgingly asked by that officer
swell, what impression did our penal es'
tablishment make upou you ?''
Mr.. Lemke stiff1y bowling In silence, the
officer seemed to take this as kind Of Salts
fled assent, and went on I -55l
"very industrious people, the men below
are they not?"
| ssBut with what feeling" Mr.. Lemke an
swered. ''must these unfortunates look
forward to day Of rest after the weeks
| toll %
ssRest!' said the officer ''convicts must
always labor. There is no rest for them,-
They are condemned to perpetual forced la.
Dor; and he who once enters the mine never
leaves it !''tHeasa a-if =
.'But this is barbarons %
The officer shrugged his shoulders, and
said, ''The exiled work daily for twelve
hours on Sundays too. They must never
pause. But no; am mistaken. Twice a
year, though, rest is permitted them-a'
Easter time and on the birthday Of his Maj
esty the Emperor. karl Blind IN the Co.
Temporary Reviews.