The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-01-31

the arrival of the party.
/ was not at all sorry to t;.ke a couple
of days rest after my fatigues l was
not sorry to indulge once more in the
comforts of comparative civilization; yet
nearly every hour l was sending down
to inquire if the convicts had arrived.
More ardently than l had longed to
reach Irkutsk, l longeo 20 turn the
horses head westward and start on
the return journey.
l had heard no news from home since
l left St. Petersburg. Indeed, l could
not expect a letter, as, after my depart
ure from Mini Novgorod, l had posi-
lively outstripped the post. On the
road home hoped to find letters wait
ing me.
After had kicked my heels in Irkutsk
for two days l received the welcome
news that Captain Varlamoff had
marched his prisoners to the ostrog at
four o'clock that afternoon. / rose from
my dinner and went with all speed to
the prison.
A man in plain clothes-a civilian
demanding to be conducted to the pres
ence of Russian Captain who had Just
arrived from a long march, seemed al
most too great a joke for the sentries to
bear in soldier-like manner. Their
stolid faces broke into scornful smiles
as they asked Ivan if "the little father"
had gone quite mad. 1t required much
frmness, much persuasion and gra-
tuity, which to the simple military mind
represented an unlimited quantity of
vodka" and consequently many hap
py drinking bouts, before Twas allowed
to pass through the gates of the high
palisade, and, with many misgivings on
the part of my guide, was conducted to
the presence of the Captain.
A fine, fierce-looking young soldier,
who glared at me for disturbing him;
for having, by advice, adopted the Rus
sian costume, which by now was
stained and frayed by travel, there was
nothing to show him Twas not civilian
whom any soldier might kick at his
pleasure.
1t was delightful to see the change
the perusal of the Tobolsk Governor $
letter made in the Captains appear
ance. He rose, and with the greatest
courtesy offered me a chair, and asked
me in French if | spoke that language.
assured him on that point, and find
ing l could dispense with VANS serv-
ices sent him outside to wait for me.
Varmaloff would not hear of COM
mencing business until wine and cigar
cites made their appearance--then he
was at my service in anything and
everything.
told him what desired.
ITO speak in private with one of my
convicts. Certainly-this letter places
me at your commands. But which
convict"
gave him the true name. He shool
his head.
81 know none of them by that name
Most of the names the political prison
ers pass under are false ones. Wher
they leave me they will become mum
bers, so it doesn't matter"
suggested Ceneri. He shook hi
head again.
II know the man want is will
YOU" said. "How shall l find himp'
"You know him by sightP"
"Yes-well."
Then you had better come with M
and try and pick him out among m,
unfortunates. Light another cigarett,
you will want it," he added, witt
meaning.
He led the way, and soon we stoo'
before heavy door, At his command
jailer, armed with mighty keys, APP
peared. The grinding locks wer
turned, and the door was opened
Follow me-" said Varmalotf, with
long pull at his cigarette. l obeyed
and standing on the threshold ha'
much ado to keep from fainting.
From the stencil which rushed throug
it, that open door might have been tn
entrance 70 some pestilential cavern a
the bottom of which all the impuritie
of the world were rotting and putrefy
ing. As it passed you, you felt that tn
thick air was poisonous with diseas
and death.
recovered myself as best l could
and followed my guide into the grim il
terror. The door closed behind us.
Had | the power to describe tn
sights l saw when my eyes grew az
customed to the gloom, l should not b
believed. The prison was spaciou,
but, when the number of the prisoner
was considered, it should have bee
three times the size. 1t was thronge
with wretched beings. They wer
standing, sitting and lying about. Me
of all ages, and, it seemed, of all nj
tionalities Men with features of tn
lowest human type. They were hue
died in groups-many were quarrelin!
cursing and swearing. Moved
curiosity they pressed around us ;
closely as they dared, laughing an
jabbering in their barbarous dialects.
was in hell, an obscene, unclean hel
hell made by men for their fellow
men.
Filth the place was one mass of i
Filth under foot-filth on the walls, Il
rafterS and the beams-filth fioatin
about in the hot, heavy, pestiferous al
Each man seemed to be a moving ma