Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-10-03
The IInrror. OF siherIan E,lIe.

OF the treatment of political exiles in Sibe
ria have before Inc n thrilling description
| from the pen Of Mr. Robert Lemke, a Ger.
/ man writer, who has visited the various pena
establishments Of Russia with an official lcgit
imation He had been to Tobolsk after
which he had to make long dreary journey
| in wretchcd car until high mountain rose
before him. In its torn and craggy flank the
mountain showed IA colossal opening similar
| to the mouth Of a burnt-out crater Fetid
vapors, which almost took away his breath,
ascendcd from it,
Pressing his handkerchief upon his lips,
Mr.. Lemku entered the opening of the rock,
where he found large watchhouse, with a
| picket Of Cossacks. Having shown his pa
pcrs, he was conducted by guide through a
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 AZ
ter n walk Of some ten minutes through the
dense obscurity, the ground becoming more
and more soft a vague simmer of light be-
came observable 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 n
thick rust. A watchman appeared who un-
locked the heavy iron gate Entering room
of considerable extent. but which was scarce
ly a mans height, aud which was d.mly lit by
an oil lamp, the visitor asked Where are
we Z" In the sleeping room of the con
demned Formerly it was IA productive gal
lery of the mine now it serves as a shelter "
The visitor shuddered. This subterranean
sepulchre, lit by neither sun nor moon, was
called a sleeping room. Alcoye-like cells were
hewn into the rock here on couch of
damp, half-rotten straw. covered with sack
cloth, the unfortunate sufferers were to RE-
pose from the days work Over each cell a
cramp-ron was fixed, wherewith to lock up
the prisoners like ferocious dogs. No door
no window anywhere.
Conducted through another passage, where
a few lanterns were placed and whose end
was also barred 10y an iron gate, Mr. Lemke
came to a large vault, partly lit. This was
the mine deafening noise Of pckaXes
and hammers. There he saw some hundreds
of wrotchcd figures, with shaggy boards
sickly faces, Redeemed eyeids clad in tatters
some of them barefoot, others in sandals fet-
tered with heavy foot-chains. No song, no
whistling. Now and then they slyly
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
MS DlChhAt were not uthNN ana ITll tlOlku
to loosen the rock
'Whv are YOU here ?" Mr.. Lemke asked.
The convict looked confused with an air
almost of CONSERVATION, and silently contin-
ucd 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 Z" Mr.. Lcmko
asked the guide, with low voice.
1t is Number lli!" the guide replied, Ia
conically.
This sce,' 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, | regret to
say, cannot tell you about Number ll4!"
The visitor felt as if he were stined in the
gruvclike 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
mandcr of the military establishment, he was
obligiugly asked 10y that officer
"Wel what impression did our penal es,
tahlishment make upon you 7"
Mr.. Lcmke stiiiiy bowing III silence, the
officer seemed to take this as kind of salts
fed assent, and went on
Very industrious people the men below
are they not :"
but with what feelings Mr.. Lemke an
swered, Unjust these unfo-tunates look for
ward to a day of rest after the weeks toll -
Rest" said the officer; 'convicts must
always labor. There is no rest for them
They are compelled to perpetual forced Ia
Dor aud he who once enters the mine never
leaves it,
But this is barbarous."
The officer shrugged his shoulders and
said, The exiled work daily for twelve hours I;
on Sundays too. They must never pause.
But no; | am mistaken. Twice a year,
though, rest is permitted to them-at Easter
time aud on the birthday of his Majesty the
Emperor r"-R Kart BHHd in tie Contemporary
Recittr