The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-09-29

Try ne employed me. LII would take TOO
long to tell you all the incidents of the
journey. We arrived at Perm, not with
out some difficulty, to be sure 0or was
very uncertain of the route, and was
well paid for my services. From Perm
without passports or papers of any kind,
"I shall never forget the day I ar"
rived in St. Petersburg. It was still
winter and was penniless, hungry and
in rags, but was happy. L had formed
the intention of presenting myself at
the Swiss consulate, and claiming the
protection of the Swiss Government. I
was on my way thither when J. was ac-
costed by two policemen. Not satisfied
with my replies to their questions, they
arrested me. An attempt had been made
the day before to assasinate a high offic-
iaI, and all suspicious characters were
being taken into custody. What there
was in my appearance to excite suspicion
I know not, for there were thousands in
St. Petersburg as ragged and dirty as I.
The thought of returning to prison, per-
haps to Siberia, maddened me. 1 re-
sisted but was overpowered, and in few
minutes was once more in dungeon.
For time I gave way to despair. I
fancied myself again in the mines, dying
lingering death. The thought was SO
terrible that had I not been chained to
the floor 7 should have contrived to kill
myself.
81 had been in prison five days, and
had had time for reflection. was con-
vinced that nobody had recognized me,
and that my arrest had no connection
whatever with my escape from Siberia.
This gave me hope, and with hope came
the determination to make another effort
for liberty. I should have appealed to
the Swiss consul, but I knew that no
message I might dictate or write would
be conveyed to him. At last an idea
struck me, and acted upon it.
among my pupils in former days had
been neice Of Prince Gortschakoff. She
was beautiful creature, young, accom-
plished, and with heart of gold. We
had become very good friends, consider
ing the difference in station between a
princess and q music teacher. I knew
that if could communicate with her she
would assist me, but how could COM
municate with her? I had no money to
bribe the Jail attendant, and without bri-
berry had nothing to expect. However,
concluded to appeal to him, and at the
next opportunity asked him if he knew
the princess. Yes he replied, she
is visiting the prison to-day
Visiting the prison, I exclaimed.
DO they, then, admit visitors
"It is against the rules, said he but
when women and q princess resolves to
see the prison, who can prevent her?
| She will have her own way, rules or no
rules.
"Do you think she will come here?'
| "Who knows? If she wishes to come
she will come
! CAT this moment heard the voice of
prison official explaining that this was
the department of the suspected
"'She is here said the attendant,
and at that moment she appeared at the
door, which had not been closed.
"' Princess I cried, will you not
save me?'
"Who are you?' she asked, evi-
dently not recognizing me through my
| involuntary disguise of rags, dirt and
chains.
octave you forgotten your old music
teacher. Do you not know mey
"'My God! Is it possible ! No,
Professor, have not forgotten you, and
| Will neIp you uab mus1 w W
procure your release
"sTell the Swiss Consul that I, the
son of former President of the Swiss
Republic, am imprisoned on suspicion.
He will do the rest
"'I will go to him instantly she
said, and hurriedly left the prison.
"In few days I was set at liberty,
and having, with the aid of friends, pro-
cured suitable garments, called to
thank the Princess for her kindness. 1t
was then, for the first time, thatI learned
the cause of my Punishment.
"sYou owe me no thanks, said she.
1T is I who am the cause of all your
misfortunes.'
"'You, Princess = replied, in aston
ishment how is that possible?
"She explained. Her uncle had had
in view her marriage with a nobleman
who was highly obnoxious to her. 1t
was thought that her opposition to the
alliance was due to q preference for
somebody else, and it was finally dicid-
ed that I, her music teacher, must be
the obstacle. Prince Gortschakoff, in
order to get rid of me, procured my
arrest and deportation. She had been
surprised at my sudden disappearance
and had instituted inquiries, but had
learned nothing until quite recently, and
then only by accident. A masked ball
had been given at the residence of q
lady of high rank, and while seated in
an alcove the Princess had overheard
conversation regarding herself. She
was about to interrupt it when one of
the speakers coupled my name with hers,
and her curiosity overcoming her scrup-
les. she listened Armed with the knowl-
edge thus acquired, she had accused her
uncle of the outrage. He admitted it,
and defended it as a matter of necessity.
She urged him to secure my pardon, but
he refused. What was the use of so
much trouble over a music teacher? ? OF
course, she could do nothing, but it was
the thought of my unhappy fate that
led her to visit the prison."
"Had she really formed an attach
ment for you ?" asked the writer.
"What foolish question:" said the
You forget that she was Princess. +"
"No, remember that she was a wo-
man."
"Well, I have finished. And, now,
is not a land in which such things can
happen a land of slaves. I tell you, my
young friend, that my case is not an ex-
sands have suffered more whose offenses
were less grave than my supposititious
one. 1t is the same to-day. No man is
safe in Russia. Without cause, without
warning, without trial, anybody may be
torn from his family and sent to Siberia
to die by inches. 1t is terrible !
"And you think all this may be
changed by killing an Emperor or
twoP
"Who knows? 1t is not impossible.
If by terrorism the Russian peop'e can
obtain a constitution, it will 1--we COST
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