The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-12-15

Whlrled masses OF Qry llgnJ snow DefOrcH
Still, toiled on. The short day was closin
in when had to confess to myself thaf
must rest or die. Fortunately was uetlr
small solitary hut, and l knocked at ~
door. 1t was at once opened by yonn
woman, who motioned me to enter saline
her and her mother in the Russian fashion
and in reply to the usual inquiry WHARF
was going, and ''where the good God wa
leading me-" / answered that l was work
man from the government of Tobolsx an
was going northward to the iron foundar;e
of Bohotsk. The woman gave me hot sun
per, and had the infinite relief OF beink abl
to take off and dry my clothes. thei
stretched myself on a bench and fell asIeep
with an indescribable sensation of relic
and contentment. / thought that hd1 neg
lected no precaution, nevertheless The wo
men began to suspect me. | had fourshirt
too great luxury for a Siberian. | wa!
sinking into deep sleep when 1 was awak
ened by rude grasp on my shoulder, and
saw myself surrounded by four peasants
who demanded my passport
And what right have you to demand nv
passport" l exclaimed in feigned anger
us one of you government officerln
"None of us, it is true, but we are Of
home"
'Is that truel" 1 asked, turning to an old
peasant woman.
Eyes; they are from this village"
"Well, then" replied, 81 will tell YOU
that my name is Lavrenti Kouzmine, from
the government of Tobolsk, and that an
going to Bohotsk to seek work"
"Forgive US, little father" responded the
peasants. 1--WE are excusable you see, for
there are often escaped convicts about,
The rest of the night passed cop.,2 az
and quietly, but the next morning I yfeak-
tasted and babe farewell to the vomai, with
the melancholy certainty of passing my
nights in future in the heart If lhe forest.
The demand for passport had shown me
how dangerous it was for me to frequent
the haunts of men. Fo' many night after
ward, therefore, the Otiakburrow was my
sole refuge, and became s. accustomed to
it that at close of day Ienteed the forest as
if it were a well known Hosiery.
From the 18th or 10th of hbruary to the
first week in April l iourneed northward,
only thrice venturing TO sex shelter in a
house. | suffered much. ne absence of
all civilized comforts, and eoccially of hot
food, privation more dificlt to bear than
any other on such a long cold journey,
almost brought me TO the gree. Then, too,
had constantly to struggle sainst that dis
position to sleep which is deth in such a
case as mine.
1t was at Paouda, high up n the Oural
Mountains, that slept in a louse for the
second time after leaving Irbia was pass
ing late at night through vilag, when a
voice from one of theizbas (hus) called out:
"Who goes there"
GA traveller"
care you going far"
80, very far"
"Well if you choose, comein and sleep in
our house"
May the God reward yon' l exclaimed
as | entered the door, "Bu shall not be a
trouble to you"
"How should you troublusl We are not
yet in bed. Come in.''
My two good kind hosts-an old peasant
and his Wife-gave me meager supper,
which was to me feast. In the morning |
breakfasted with them, arl for my food and
bed they refused any rcompense. AS |
Pr p11A gu w ICdNC lllGlll, Olb lh6A saul J,
GA little beyond Paouda you will end a
corps de gdrde, who will look at your apeGs
and give you all the information abouyoLr
journey"
was, of course, very careful to avoit1e
corps de gdrde, and journeyed on as beTe
buying my provisions at the izbas dun
daS Ed the il the forSsfr aoun
tains on clear, calm night in March. The
moon was at the full, and lit up Landscape
at once magnificent and strange, where
gigantic rocks and trees cast their shadows
on a vast expanse of snow. A, silence pro
found and solemn reigned over all. Every
now and then a hard metallic ring was
audible. 1t was the swapping of the stones
caused by the intense cold. A few days
passed through Solikamsk, and
went on over the steppe Of Petchara toward
Velilli- Oustioug. The journey was always
the same-the same vast snow covered
plains, the same deep forests, the same icy
winds, and for me always my toilsome
march, my Ostiak burrow, and now and
then less meager repast in an izbouchka
"a sort of peasant inn).
These izbouchkas were my greatest
upldJlOD. Itll Gu NV luluh VI SiOSpiuS III
them. But little hot soup! How ardenty
longed to stop and buy some, and eat it in
a warm room! | could not venture to do
this often, and one night when, after losing
my way in whirlwind of snow, | found my
self without bread, and racked by acute
pain as well as hunger, writhed in my
burrow and prayed for death. When morning
broke l found / could not walk After sev-
aral attempts l sank unconscious on the
snow. How long lay there do not know.
was aroused by loud voice. A stranger
stood beside me, who inquired what was
doing in the forest.
l answered that had lost my way; that
was from Tchordine and was making a
to the monastery at Soloyetsk,
but that was dying of hunger.
at is not surprising that you should have
lost your way in such storm" answered
the man. 81 do 30 often, though l am from
this district, and know the forest well. Now
taste that"
So saying he held bottle to my mouth,
and drank. 1t contained some excellent
brandy, which revived me at once, but at the
same time burned so terribly that fell on
the snow in commissions. My good friend
soothed me, and gave me some bread and
dried fish, which devoured eagerly We
then sat at the foot of tree, and my com
panion explained that he was trapper and
was now on his way home with the game
which he had caught. He added that he
would remain with me until l felt calmei
and stronger, and would then conduct me tC
the nearest izbouchka.
81 thank you with all my heart. Nav thu
good God reward your
och! for what thenln he ansuered