The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1884-12-05


local luminaries. Kervelli. it is hardly
to say. touched nothing con-
traband. He had too much at stake to
risk the confiscation of his stock and
his own i'm risonment. Being neither
engaged in Nihilist conspira les nor
m xed up with Russian political par
ties, he had no interest in selling con.
traband publications, and was careful
to conduct his trade with the most
scrupulous regard TO legality. Never
theless he incurred the displeasure OF
the police. In the Empire of the Night
intellectual activity is looked upon
rather as the mask of the heart than as
a sign of grace, and as purvcyor,
however humble, of that baleful thing.
knowledge, kervelli fell under sus-
picion. The police made several I'M
asked and unwelcome visits and over-
hauled his stock; but er nth.to. ma
tt-out of nothing, nothing comes
and as he had no contraband wares,
they naturally found none.
THROWN INTO PRISON.
Then they let him alone for while;
but in August, 1888, he was arrested
and thrown into prison, his house
searched and his store a ain over
hauled. Neither in the one nor the
other was any forbidden literature dis
covered, and kervelli took 1t for granted
that he would soon be set at liberty,
the more especially as the karkof au-
thorities limited that he had been ar
rested under m apprehension. and
that his detention would not be for
long. Meanwhile his friends were do
ing their best for him. Nj. ioutakoff.
one of the richest citizens of karkoff.
accompanied by five professors OF the
University, waited on the Governor, as
sured him that kervelli had sold none
but useful, uncensured books, and
taken no part whatever in politics, and
they pressed warmly for his release.
The Governor promised that he would
have the matter cleared up and that
Justice should be done. But Russian
notions of justice are peculiar, and IN
stead of going into the case promptly
and on the spot he sent the unfor-
tunate Frenchman TO Odessa, where he
was lodged in prison and kept there
twenty-five days before being Inferno
gated. The eH animation was conduct
ed by a police functionary, who asked
him among other things if he belonged
to any secret society; If he had taken
part in any plot. or conspired against
the existing order; to all of which Her
velli answered, of course, in the mega
tive. Then he was asked if he had any
friends among the officers of the gar
rison of karkoff. To this question he
also said no. The next proceeding
was the production of an immense box,
divided INTO compartments like com
positOr's case and filled with photo
graphs of politically compromised men
and women. ''Do you recognize that "
asked the police functionary. exhibit
ing the photograph Of one of his Gus,
toners, an oihcer of the garrison.
EYES, said kervelli, '.his name is L.
he came sometimes to my shop to buy
books Mhereupon the functionary
said .sGood," and ordered the French
man to be led back to his cell.
TAKEN TO ST. PETERSBURG.
After this Ker,elli naturally expected
to be set at liberty. But he was mis-
taken. A few days later they took hin
4 to the other end OF Russia, to St Pc
tersburg, where he lay seven month!
in prison without being examined Of
even learning the nature of the crime
if any, that was laid to his charge
Being used 10 russian WAYS. and hopins
always to be allowed to resume hi
business, he bore the athicti0n will
more resignation than an utter stran
ger would have done: but seven month
IS long time to languish in Jail. ant
seeing no prospect OF speedy release
he at length made up his mind to com
municate with the French Consul
whom he happened to know. Tn
Consul came at once to see him, and q
his instance waited on M. fleve. tn
Chief of the political police, and re
ouested, not that M. Kervelli should b
freed, but that he should. at least, b
. examined. This demand was con
coded, the examination being con
Quoted by NJ. Pleve in person. Tn
questions and answers exchanged wer
highly characteristic and throw . cur
Gus liz hit on Russian official ideas of tn
influence of literature and the function
of its purveyors.
CURIOUS OFFICIAL LOGIC.
"Why have you kept me all this tim
: in prisonpn asked Keryelli. 1t ar
pears he was allowed to ask questions.
II have broken no law, neither sol
Unauthorized books nor belonged
any secret society"
"1hat we know quite well, !" returne
! the Chief; ..but it only shows how yer
prudent You are, and. therefore, no,
{ very dangerous. We know, too, tina
!, YOU have never sold forbidden books
} but we are equally well aware tina
/ even books that have been passed b
] the censor can be selected and dis
) played in such way a. to spread sui
> versise ideas quite .as eSectually IS
/. they were lectures printed at Geneva.
These are the very words of th
Chief of the political police of s.
: Petersburg. They bring to mind
j very old story, that Of the wolf and tn
, lamb. II . man joins secret SOC
{ ETY. he is liable to be sent to Siberia fo
: the remainder Of his life. II he hold
: himself aloof from politics and mind
{ his own business, he Is liable to in
{ pris0nment Tor being prudent, and
= 4 4hnrnfry-o all tho moro danUoroua