The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-25
Siberian Exile.

MIR. Lcmkc had been to Tobolsk; after
which he had to make Il long, drcary Jour
nal in IL wrctchcd car, until high noun
tain rose before him. In its torn and
craggy flank the mountain showed Il colos-
sal opening similar to the mouth Of burnt
out crater. Fctid vapoys that almost took
away his breath, ascendcd from it.
Pressing his handkerchief upon his lips,
Mr.. Lcmkc entered the opening of the rock,
where he found Il large watchhousc, with
a picket of Cossacks. Having shown his
papers, he was conducted by guide
through long, very dark and narrow cor
rdor, which, judging from its soping
descent, led down into some unknown
depth, In spite of his good fur, the visitor
felt extremely cold. After walk Of some
ten minutes through the dense obsc,lrity the
ground becoming more arI more soft, a
vague simmer of light became observable.
"Wc are in the minc!' SAID the guide,
pointing with significant gesture TO the
high iron crOss-bars which closed the cav
crn before them.
The massive bars were covered with
thick rust. watchman appeared, who
unlocked the heavy iron gate. Entering
room OF considerable extent, but which
was scarcely II mans hcighth, and which
asked: "Whcrc arc wc2'. "In the sleep
ing room of the condemned Formerly it
was a productive gallery of the mine; now
it serves as a shelter"
The visitor shuddcrcd. This subtcrra-
mean scpulchrc, lit by neither sun nor moon,
was called II sleeping room. Alcovc- like
cells were hcwn into the rock; here, on Il
couch Of damp half-rottcn straw, covered
with saclcioth, the unfortunate sufferers
were to rcposc from the days work Over
each cell cramp-iron was f. d, where
with to lookup the prisoners like fcrocous
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,
MIR. Lemic came to large vault partly
lit. This was the mine a dcafcning
noise Of pickaXcs and hammers There he
saw some hundreds of wrctchcd figures,
with shaggy boards, sickly faces rcdtlcnctl
cyclids; clad in tatters, some of them bare
foot, others in sandals, fcttcrcd with heavy
foot chains. No song, no whlstling. Now
and then they shyly looked at the visitor
and his companion. The water tlrippcd
from the stones; the tattcrs of the convicts
were thoroughly wet. One of them, tall
man of suffering micn, laborcd hard with
gasping breath, but the strokes of his pick
axe were not heavy and firm enough to
loosen the rock
"Why arc you hcrc2" Mr.. Lcamke
asked.
The convict looked confused, with al.
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 banishmcnt?"
Entombcd alive; forbidden to say why
"But who is the convict?" Mr.. Lcamkc
| asked tile guide, with low voice.
cit is Number l14!" the guide replied,
laconcally.
"This l scc," answered the visitor; "but
what are the mans antcccdcnts1 70 what
family does he bclong2"
"Hc is a count, =" replied the guide; "a
well known conspirator. More, regret to
say, l cannot tell you about Number ll4!"
The visitor felt as If he were stidcd in
the gravclikc atmosphcrc-as if his chest
were pressed in by dcmoniacal nightmare.
lie hastily asked his guido to return with
him to the upper world. Meeting there
the commander of the military establish
mcnt, he was oblingly asked by that
officer
"Wcll, what impression did our penal
establishment make upon you2"
Mr. Lcmke stiflly bowling in silence, the
officer seemed to take this as a kind of sat
isfied assent and went OH
Vcryindustrious people, the mcnbclow;
are they not2"
"But with what feelings, )" Mr.. Lcmkc
answered, "must these unfortunatcs look
forward to day of rest after the weeks
TOLL"
''Rest! !" SAID the officer; "convicts
must always labor, There is no rest for
them. They arc condemned to perpetual
forced labor; and he who once enters the
mine never leaves it p'
But this is barbarous!"
The officer shrugged his shoulders, and
said, "The cXilcd work daily for twelve
hours; on Sundays too. They must never
pause. But, no; ! am mistaken Twice
a year, though, rest Is permitted to them
at Easter time and Oh the birthday of his
Majesty the Emperor.