The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-11-19
The Horrors Of Siberian Exile.

I0CO W4eAk t110 WO4VG0s
IA The Horrors OF Siberian Exile.
Ofthe treatment Of political exiles in
Siberia have before me thrilling de-
scription from the pen Of Mr.. Robert
Lemke, German writer, who has Wis
tied 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 q wretched car, until q high mount
ain rose up before him. In it's torn
and craggy flank the mountain showed
q colossal opening, similar to the mouth
of . bnrntout crater Fetid vapors,
which almost took away his breath, as
cended from it. II
Pressing his handkerchief upon his
lips, Mr.. Lemke entered the opening of
the rock, where he found large watch
house, with q picket of Cossacks. Hav-
ing shown his papers he was conducted
by guide through a long, very dark
and narrow corridor, which, judging
from it's sloping descent, led down into
some unknown depth. In spite of his
good fur, the visitor felt extremely cold.
After. q walk of some ten minutes
through the dense obscurity, the
ground becoming more and more soft, q
vague simmer Of light became OBJ
servable. I'VE are in the mine |" said
the guide. pointing with significant
gesture to the iron cross-bars which
closed the cavern before them.
The massive bars we're covered with
thick rust. A watchman appeared.
who unlocked the heavy iron gate.
Entering room of considerable ex-
tent, but which was scarcely mans
height, and which was dimly lit by an
oil-lamp, the visitor asked: "Where
are we3" In the sleeping room OF the
condemned! Formerly it was a pro-
ductive gallery of the mine; now it
serves as shelter" FL
The visitor shuddered. This subter.
ranean sepulcher, Lit by neither sun nor
moon, was called sleeping room. Al
cove-ike cells were hewn into the rock
here, on couch of damp, half-rotten
straw, covered with q sackcloth, the nm
fortunate sufferers were to repose from
the days work. Over each cell cramp-
iron was fixed, wherewith to lock MP the
prisoners like ferocions 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 q large vault,
partly lit. This was the mine. A deaf
ening noise of pickaxes and hammers.
There he saw hundreds of wretched
figures, with shaggy boards, sickly faces
Redeemed eyelids; clad in tatters, some
of them barefoot, others in sandals, fet.
tered with heavy foot-chains. Nc song,
no whistling. Now and then they shyly
looked at the visitor and his companion
The water drpped from the stones; tie
convicts We're thoroughly wet One of
them, a tall man with suffering mien.
labored hard with gasping breath, but
the strokes of his pickax were not heavy
and firm enough to loosen the rock.
"Why are you here?" Nh. Leulke
asked. ..--.' ~ - - =.
The convict looked confused, with an
air almost of CONSERVATION, and silently
continued his work. = @z@a"
1T is forbidden to the prisoners
said the inspector, to speak of the
cause of their banishmentl .~z .'..
Entombed alive; forbidden to say
whyi .-5sEE 9s.557,-Ts.zs
'Butwho is the convict" Mr.. Lemke
asked the guide, with low voice. al. a.a
1T is number 114l" the guide re-
piled, laconically. yrsa: IN. saa
. @This I see," answered the visitor
but what are the mans antecedents?
To what family does he belong?" ..
,"He is Count" replied the guide;
"a wen.known conspirator. More, r re-
gret to say, I cannot tell you about
Number 114l" tI.
The visitor felt as if he were stifled
in the grave-like atmoephere-as if his
chest were pressed in by demoniaeal
nightmare. He hastily asked his guide
to return with him to the upper world.
Meeting there the commander of the
military establishment, he was obliging-
ly asked by that officer:
We'll, what impression did our penal
establishment make upon your" >s8
Mr.. Lemke stifay bowling in silence,
the officer seemed to take this as q kind
of satisfied assent, and went on;
VERY industrious people, the men
below; are they not? 3
"But with what feelings" Nj. Lemke
answered, must these unfortunates
look forward to day of rest after q
week of toil?" =.
"Restl" said the officer; ssconvicts
must always labor. There is no rest for
them. They are condemned 70 perpet-
ual, forced labor; and he who. once en-.
tiers the mine never leaves it h&i
But this is barbarousis
The officer shrugged his shoulders,
and said 3The exile works daily for
twelve hours; on Sundays, too. They
must never rest. But, no; I am mis-
taken. Twice year, though, rest is
permitted them at Easter time and on
the birthday Of his Majesty the EN-
peror.1 Karl Blind, IN the Contempt
rary Reuie,v. s= s ...
A RoBpER found Winnie Roberts,
aged 1R alone in ~1,onoa ~