Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-04-03
CHAPTER Nj.
A Hrll WON EARru.

1t was midsummer when | left st.
Petersburg, The heat was oppressive
and quite disturbed my idea of the Rus
sian climate. | went BY rail 10 Moscow,
by the iron road which runs straight us
a line from the one large city to the
other. The Gar ordered il 10 be 50
made, without curves or deyiationS.
When the engineers asked him what
popular places they should take on their
way, his Imperial Majesty took ruler
and on the map ruled straight line
from 81. Petersburg 10 Moscow
Make il So. were his commands. and
so It was made, rs rigid and careless of
the convenience of other persons rs his
own deSpotSm \ railway for some four
hundred miles running simply to lis
destination. not daring, however much
tempted, TO swerSe aside and diSohrS
the autocrats commands
At Moscow, the colossal, | fingered 4
couple of days. 1t was there had set
tied to engage a guide and interpreter.
As spoke two or three languages be-
sides my own, was able to pick and
choose, and ri last selected a pleasant
hammered, sharp looking Young fellow
of the great post road to the east. Then
bidding farewell to the mighty kremlin
with its churches. watch towers and
battlcmeatS, started with my new com
panion for Mini Noygorod; at which
place we must bid adieu to the rail
way.
We passed the old picturesque but de-
caying town Of Vladimir. and after duly
admiring its welcomed cathedral |
found nothing more to distract III, Mt
tention until we reached Mini Nv
companion WAS Very anxious that we
should lingcr for Il day or two at this
city. The great fair was on, and he as
sured me 1t was sight not to be missed.
l had not come 10 Russia to look al
fairs or festivities, so commanded him
to make instant preparations for con-
tinuing the journey.
We now changed our mode of con
veyance. Being summer, the rivers
were open and navigation practicable.
We took the steamer and went down
the broad Nolga till we passed the Ka-
san and reached the river Kama. Up
this tortuous stream we went until We
landed at the large important town Of
Perm.
We We're five days ON the water |
think the five longest days ever spent
The winding river, the slow going
steamer, made me long for tho land
again; there one seemed TO be making
progress. The road there was straight.
not running into hundred bends.
We were now nearly at the end of
Europe. A hundred miles further and
we shall cross the Ural Mountains and
be in Asiatic Russia.
At Perm we made our final prepare
tons. From now we must depend cn
post horses. Ivan, my guide. after the
proper amount OF haggling, bought
tarantass- "A sort Of phaeton. The lug
gage was slowed into ii; we took our
seats; our first relay of horses were en-
gagged three in number and harnessed
in the peculiar Russian fashion tho yem-
schik started them with words of en-
enlargement and endearment which in
Russia arc supposed TO be more ofllca
oious than the thong. and away we
went on our long. long drive.
We crossed the Trails. which after all
are not 80 very high. We passed the
stone obelisk erected, Ivan told me. in
honor Of Cossack chief named Yer
max. We read the word Europe on
the side which first met our eyes.
and turning round saw Asia written
on the back. ] spent my first night in
Asia at Ekaterineburg; and lay awake
the best part of it trying TO calculate
how many miles stretched between
Pauline and myself. For days aud days
have passed since left st. Petersburg
and / have travelled at all possible
speed; yet the journey seems scarcely
begun. Indeed, can not even guess at
its length until get TO Tobolsk.
A trihe of some four hundred miles
from Ekaterineburg to T'iumen. another
of two hundred from Tiumen to To-
bolsk, and shall await the pleasure of
the Governor-General and what infor-
nation hc may choose to give me.
The carriage and ourselves arc ferried
across the broad yellow Irtuish that
river, the crossing Of which by Rus
sian officer at once raises him step fn
rank: for such is tho induccment held
out to serve in Siberia; and ut the east
bank Of the Irtuish Siberia proper be-
gins.
rr<. Du