The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-11-20
SELECT STORY.
SENTENCED TO SIBERIA.

| am Lancashire man and | rose
from the ranks. l began life as much
as other mill hands do; but my head
was set the right way on my shoulders,
and | got to be an overlooker. Five
and twenty years ago, when great
English firm, whose operations extend
over many parts of Russia, started a
cotton mill at Ekaterinburg, l was Of
fered post as manager. Ekaterin-
burg is, as l dare say you know, on
the Siberian side of the Ural Mount
aims, and in the heart of the govern
ment mining districts, A man thinks
twice before he transports himself and
his family to such place, but | had
made up my mind to get on, aud this
was good chance to one in my posi-
ton.
l was not disappointed. looked
after the mill, and it prospered. We
north-country operatives are a thrifty
folk, and like living in plain way. l
saved money; and as it was the policy
of the firm to keep me in my post, and
to give me personal interest in the
undertaking, | was allowed to invest
my few hundred of roubles in the
mill.
These commonplace particulars
about my own affairs can have very
little interest for you, sir. l only tell
them because otherwise you would
scarcely understand what has to fol-
low.
One evening, late in our short Rus
sian Summer, when the long days were
fast drawing in, we were in our family
sitting room, l engaged with some of
the mill accounts, and my wife with
her sewing, when Lottie, our eldest
daughter, rushed in, and, without a
word, tainted right away Oh the floor.
This did not more frighten my wife
and myself than it surprised us, for
Lottie was sensible girl, aud had new
er given way to any hystercal fancies
before. We knew that it must have
taken good deal to upset her in that
way, and as soon as we had oontrived
to bring her round, we made her tell us
what had been the matter
1t seemed that she had been alone
in her room, when, turning suddenly
toward the window, she became aware
of face pressed closely against the
glass and glaring at her What the
face was like she was unable to de-
scribe, but it appeared too ugly and
horrible for a human being. If it
could have been called that of man
or woman, she said, she should not
have been so frightened.
| went out and looked round the
house, Nothing was TO be seen. We
knew Lottie to be sensible girl, but
we were inclined to think that her fancy
must have played her trick for once.
After time my wife left the room
to see about our supper. My wife (she
has been dead now this nine years. had
as strong nerves as any woman that |
ever knew--nothing ever seemed to
knock her off her balance. Well, she
came back in a minute or two and
beckonod me to the door. She was
calm enough, but could see by her
face that something was wrong She
would not say what she had to say be-
fore the girl for fear of frightening
her again. So she whispered to me
outside: 'Lottie must have been right;
there is something about. When |
opened the door of the kladoUy (the
larder that is) | heard something at the
window. Whatever it may have been
it took alarm, and did not let me see
it; but it has left its marks on the lat
tice,'
followed her silently to the kladocy.
All was now silent there. | examined
the tortochha-as in Russia we call
the little window of such a place. In
Summer time its glass easement was
removed, and it was now only protect
ed by lattice of crossed strips of fire
wood. These strips were slightly dis
placed, as if some one had tried to
force them out, and thus to gain en-
trance, The .tortochha was about
large enough to have admitted the
body of man.
Nothing was to be seen by looking
out; for, though reasonable amount
of twilight still remained. it was only
enough to show things with any dis.
tinctness in the open, and / had shell
tered the back of our house by plant.
ing q number of young fir trees.
whispered to my wife that she should
go back to Lottie and that | would
stay where was for a bit, and see
whether the robber-if it was a robber
would come again.
1t was scarcely to be called late, yet
it was too late for any of cur mill
people to be about, and they were ouI
only neighbors. My house, and one
adjoining it Gntended for another EN-
ployee, but at that time unoccupied)
stood partly within the high wooden
fence which inclosed the mill; that is
their backs opened into the inclosur,
(the dvor, as we call iD, while theil
fronts looked on a public thoroughfare
Thus our back premises were strictly
private after the gates to the mill haC
been closed; aud the person-if it wa
a person-wAo had got to the Windows
must either have secreted himself with
in the dyor, or have gained access to i
IN some improper manner. Now, how
ever, all was as still as could be.