The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-03-04
CALLED BACK.
BY HUgH CONWAY.
[coScLuED.1
CHAPTER XIV.
DOES SIZE REMEMBER.

IN with a significant look on his face. as
much as 10 say there was such a thing
as overstepping the limits of even such
an authority as / held. i had no desire
to protract the conversation with the
convict. The object Of my long journey
had been attained. ] had learned all
that I could learn. ! knew Pauline's
history. The crime had been fully con-
fessed. The man with me had no claim
upon my consideration. Even had /
felt inclined TO help him had no means
Of so doing. Why should linger:
But / did linger for awhile. The
thought that my rising and giving the
signal that my business was finished,
would Immediately cOnsign the prisoner
20 that lOathsOme den from which he
had emerged. was ineXpresSibly painful
10 me. Every moment ! could keep him
with me would be precious TO him.
Never again would he see the face of a
friend or acquaintance.
lie had ceased speaking. He sat with
his head bent forward; his eyes resting
ou the ground. A tattered, haggard,
hopeless wretch; so broken down that
ONE dare not reprOach him. ! watched
him DO silence.
Presently he spoke: You can find
uo excuse for me, Mr.. Vaughan"
None" / said. 1T seems to me there
is little to choose between you and
your associates"
NE rose YEARLY. pauline VIII re-
cover Won Think" he asked.
j. thnk--I hope | shall find her al
most well on my return"
You VIII tell her how you have found
ne. She may be happier in knowing that
AuthUny's death has indirectly brought
me TO this
bowed assent to this dreary request.
II must 20 back now" Ire said, with a
kind Of SILVER, and dragging his weary
limbs slowly toward the door
In spite of his sins ! could not let the
wrrtched being go without word.
"~tOp "A moment" ] said. Tell me if
there IS anything | can do to make your
life any cBsier%
he smiled family. you may give
me monpy-a little. | may be able to
keep ii and buy a few prisoners luxu-
rifs"
gave him several notes which he
sceIetcd on his person.
VIII you have mOre?' | asked. lie
shook his head.
Il expect these win be stolen from me
before ! spend them"
But is there no way of leaving money
with 3uy one for your useT"
"lCu might leave some with the cap
tain. IL may be, if he is kind-hearted
iIId honest, a portion of it may reach
me. But even that is doubtful"
/ promised 10 do so, and knew that
whether 1t reached him or not, l should
feel easier for having made the attempt
But what will your future be? Whert
are they taking you, and what will b.
your lifeY"
They are taking us right to the enc
Of Slberia-tO Nertchinsk. There
shall be drafted off with others to worl
in the mines. We go all the way OF
foot and in chains"
What an awful fatew
Ceneri smiled. after what have
passed through it is Paradise opening
before me. When a man offends agains
the Russian law his one hope is that ht
may be sent at once to Siberia. Thai
means going from hell to heaven"
y do not understand"
You would if you had lain like me
for months, untried and uncondemned
IF you had been placed in a cell without
light, without air, without room tC
move. If you had heard those next t.
you screaming in their madness-mad
ness brought on by solitary confinement
and cruel treatment. If every mornins
as you woke you had said. Il, too. shall
be an idiot before nightfall.' If yoU
had been frozen, beaten, starved, in or
der to make you betray your friends. II
YOU had been reduced to such a state
That your death-warrant would be wei
come, then, Mr.. Vaughan, you would
look forward to and long for the gentle
rgors of Siberia. / swear to you, sir,
he continued, with more fire and ami
nation than he had yet displayed, that
If the civilized nations of Europe knew
one-tenth part of the horrors and deeds
in Russian prison, they would say
guilty or innocent, no human beings
shall be tormented like this and f0l
the sake of common humanity would
sweep the whole accursed government
from the face of the earthl"
But twenty years in the minesl Is
there no hope of escaping?"
Where could escape to? Look al
the map and see where Nertchinsk is
If / escaped l could only wander about
the mountains until died or until some
Of the savages around killed me. No
Mr.. Vaughan, escapes from SibeIis
only oecurjn novels"
rhen you must slave until YOU
death?"
Il hope not. once gathered togeth
er much information respecting Siber
ian convicts, and, to tell you the truth
was rather disguised to find how incor
rect the common opinion is. Now | car
only hope my researches showed me the
truth"
"The treatment is not so bad, then?'
at is bad enough, as you are always
at the mercy of n petty tyrant. Their,
Is no doubt but for a year or two mus
slave in the mines. If / survive thu
toll, which is very unlikely, / may, b,
finding favor in the rulers eyes. be re
leased from further work of that de
seription. | may even be allowed tor
side at some town and earn my living
! have great hopes that my professional
skill may be of use to me. Doctors ar
scarce in Asiatic Russia"
Little as he deserved it, my hear
echoed his wish; but as looked at hin
| felt sure there was small chance o
his enduring even a years toll at tn
mines.
The door opened and the captain ono
more looked in. He was growing quit
impatient. l had no reason for wish
ing To prolOng the conversation, so
told him | should have finished in me
ment He nodded his head and with
drew.
IF there is anything more 1 can d.
let me know" | said, turning to Ceneri
There is nothing-Stayl one thing
Macari, that villian-sooner or later b
win get his deserts. | have suffered
SO viii he. When that time comes. vii
you try to send me word? 1t may b
difficult to do so. and have no right t,
ask the favor. But you have interest
and might get intelligence sent me.
am not dead by then it will make m
happier"
Without waiting for my reply b.
walked hastily to the door, and with tn
sentry at his side was marched off to th
prison. followed him.
As the cumbrouS lock was being turn
ed hepauSed. Farewell, Mr.. Vaughan,
he said If have wronged you l en-
treat your pardon. We shall meet II,
more"
so far as l am concerned 1 forgiv,
yon freely"
He hesitated a moment and then hel(
out his hand. The door was now open
! could see the throng of repulsive, vii
famous faces-the faces of his fellow
prisoners. could hear the jabber O
curiosity and wonder. | could smell
the foul odors coming from that reek
ing den crowded with filthy humanity
And in such place as this, with sucl
and refined tastes, was doomed to spent
his last days. 1t was fearful punish
ment!
Yet it was well merited. As hestoo,
on the threshold with outstretchet
hand L felt this. To all intents and pur
poses the man was a murderer. Mucl
moved as | was by his fate could no
bring myself to grasp his hand. My re
fusal may have been harsh, but coult
not do III
lie saw that I did not respond to hi
action. A flush of shame passed owe
his face; he bowed his head and turnet
away. The soldier took him roughl,
by the arm and thrust him through thu
doorway. Then he turned, and his eye
met mine with an expression tina
haunted me for days. He was gazins
thus when the heavy door was shut ant
hid him from my sight forever.
/ turned away sick at heart, perhap
regretting had added anything to hi