The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-17

desolation and misery; and | drew Z
long breath of relief as we passed out
of the ''dormitory'' and into another
corridor, dark as the first, but less
slippery. Everything was as quiet as
a graveyard until we reached an
enormous cave, in the center of which
stood a round table and three benches.
Several torches, fastened to iron rings
in the wall, served to Tighten the hall,
in the ceiling of which l saw a window
almost covered with iron bars, through
which a faint ray of light ~endeavored
to penetrate, and this, mingled with
the torchlight, produced an effect at
once dismal and gloomy beyond de-
scription. This was the mine proper,
and here an Internal noise was heard,
caused by the pick-aXes and hammers
with which the eXiles were working the
iron ore. Before us we saw several
hundred ragged creatures, with terri
BILE rough, long boards, faces pale as
death, or of a sickly yellow. with red
rimed eyes, dragging heavy chains,
rafting them at every motion-the
prisoners! Not one look healthy;
and not one spoke, sang, or
WHlSticu, tHty al WOIhcu III
silence, looking askance at us, and
rafting again their chains, which have
been put upon them in the name of JUS
tee! Many of them were barefoot; Il
few wore the remnants of shoes upon
teeir feet. The rags which covered
them were completely saturated with
the dripping water, so that they could
not give to the shivering bodies one
atom of warmth. Upon their boards l
saw long ~icicles; and 1 sometimes
watched n or the other blow into his
chilled hands or shake convulsively in
the icy-cold air. l shall never forget
the dreadful scene; and, in contemplate
ing it, [ would imagine that mountain
sprites were here at their hidden work;
but the clinking of the chains, the
grooming ofthe prisoners, and the rough
cries of the taskmasters Don recalled
the dreadful reality. The hammering
and digging never ceased. If an exile
attempted to rest a little, the sharp
command of the overseer soo put him
to work again, and there was a fever
unceasing activity. One of the pris-
slight, fine figure, with a face
of profile of which showed ~eXtraor-
beauty, excited our particular
attention. With visible eXertion he
swung his pick-ax, and his breath came
wheeling from his chest; but he could
not loosen the stone, and sometimes his
fell despairingly to his side.
We approached him. ''Why are you
| asked. He looked up shyly,
almost frightened, and continued his
work.
''The prisoners are forbidden to
speak about the cause of their exile"
the Inspector informed me.
who is the prisonerP" l asked our
mo. H." he answered, laconically.
$50 | see," l replied, ''butI mean his
name, his family, his crime"
1T is Count de Parenter," he replied
-''well known conspirator. l am sorry
not to be able to tell you more about
No. Ia"
The foul air almost suffocated me. |
)eckoned to the guide and my friend.
lie and l hastily traversed again the
corridors and assembled to the
world again, where the chief command
II saluted us.
we'll, Z dShcu, WHdt lulpIeSSlOu
las u institution made upon youP"
We bowed in silence.
He seemed delighted and remarked
IRONICALLY, 'Our boys below work dill
do they not?"
''Indeed they do" answered my
but with what feeling of relief
he unhappy me must greet their Sun
lay, when they IA take a rest"
REST he said, wonderingly, ''they
AVE none; they must work always!"
"AlwaysP"
''Most certainly! They are con
lemned to work everlastingiy. He who
rec enters the mine never leaves it
''But that is barbaric?" l could not
efain from saying.
He shrugged his shoulders. ''The ex-
he replied, ''work twelve hours
and on Sundays too. They are
ever permitted to rest. Oh! but yes
vice during the year; at Easter and on
he birthday of our glorious Emperor.
And he removed his hat as though he
.ad spoken the name of the Lord.
We bowed again and fastened to get
ack to Tobelsk. My friend and | were
9th very silent until we got out of
'ussia. But hereafter we shall not be
o very much shocked and surprised
yhen we read of the terrible spread of
nat practical fanaticism which is called
Iihilism in the great empire of the
east.