Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-13
Calls and Sketthfs.
SENTENCED TO SIBERIA.

I AGO. when a great English firm whose OPP
erations extend over many parts of Rus
STA started cotton mill at Ekaterinburg
I was offered a post as manager. Ekat-
erinbure is. as dare say YOU know. on
/ the Siberian side of the Ural mountains,
and in the heart of the government mining
districts. A man thinks twice before he
transports himself and his family to such
a place. but | had made up my mind to
get on, and this was good chance to one
! in my position.
was not disappointed looked after
the mill and it prospered. We north
country operatives are thrifty folk. and
like living in plain way. saved mon
ey; and as it was the policy OF the firm to
keep me in my post, and to give me a
personal interest in the undertaking. |
was allowed to invest my few hundred
roubles in the mill.
These commonplace particulars about
nv own affairs can have very little inter-
est for you, sir. only tell them because
otherwise you would scarcely understand
what has to follow.
One evening, late in our short Russian
summer, when the long DAYS were fast
drawing in, we were in our family sitting
room, engaged with some of the mill
accounts, and my wife with her sewing,
when Lottie, our eldest daughter rushed
in aud without word tainted right away
on the floor.
This did not more brighten my wife and
myself than it surprised US. for Lottie was
sensible girl. and had never given way
to any historical fancies before. We
knew that it must have taken good deal
to upset her in that way, and as soon as
we had contrived 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 g!ar
| ing at her. What the face was like she
was unable to describe, but it appeared
too ugly and horrible for 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 Lot
tie to be a sensible girl, but we were in
clned to think that her fancy must have
played her a 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 beckoned 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
before the girl fer 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 kladoroy" (he larder that is)
II heard something at the window What
ever it may have been it took alarm, and
did not let me see it, but it has lett its
marks on the lattice.'
followed her silently to the kladouoy.
All was quiet there. l examined the
ltortOchka-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 protected by lattice Of
crossed strips of fir-wood. These strips
were slightly displaced, as if some one
had tried to force them out, and thus tc
gain entrance. The tortochka was abou
large enough to have admitted the body
of man.
Nothing was to be seen by looking out
for though a reasonable amount of tw
light still remained, it was only enough
to show things with any distinctness il
the open. and | had sheltered the back o.
our house by planting number of young
fir trees. | whispered to my wife tina
she should 90 back to Lottie and that
would stay where | was for 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 0
our mill people to be about, and they wer,
our only neighbors. Indeed, we had NJ
near neighbors. My house, and one ad
joining it Gntended for another emplove
but at that time unoccupied,) stood partl,
within the high wooden tence which in
closed the mill that is, their backs opened
into the inclosure (the door, as we call it.
while their fronts looked on a publ,
thoroughfare. Thus our back premise,
were strictly private after the gates to tn,
mill had been closed and the person i
it was person who had got to the win
dows must either have secreted himsel
within the door. or have gained access t.
it in some improper manner. Now, how
{ ever all was still as could be.
, Down | sat. to watch, close to the doc
of the kladar0y. | chose a dark corner
and one where. in the dusk, it would hav,
been hard matter to see me. but had
full view of the lattice waited till m,
. patience was beginning to wear out, an6
then fanced that | heard some slight sount
outside under the fortochka. 1t was 81
slight that at first was not sure whethe
it might not be merely fancy, but after
little pause heard it again, louder ant
more distinctly. | kept still as mouse
I, and kept a sharp lookout
Slowly and gradually something raiset
itself before the opening. 1t was head
but in the uncertain light could not sa,
, whether it was a human head or that o
, some brute creature. Whichever it Nigh
be, | could see enough of it to know tina
it was such wild, haggard. unearthl
; looking thing as had never looked upoI
before. Any quantity of shaggy hair wa
hanging about it. and its only features t,
speak of seemed to be eyes. Eyes it ha,
past all mistake. Never did | see anv
thing like the way in which it glared a
our good provisions within. have seel
what famished wolf looks like, and
should hardly think famished vol
worth comparing with that creature. |
WIS ravenous after what it saw. Up be