Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-03-03

the heavens, seemed ready to burst and pour
their contents on the sodden earth Of the sleep
ing village The gendarmes who accompanied
me had, as great concession, and by heavy
bribery, allowed me to remain over night at
this little out of the way village.
This was in direct violation of every order
issued when leaving Petersburg. Previous
to starting on the journey to the far north
the officers of the law, who accompany the
prisoner, are sworn to rest neither day nor
night until their destination is reached.
had a twofold object in securing this DELAY
One was rest, but the principal one was
rescue. At our last interview in the prison
my friend tho Princess W had planned
my escape This was frustrated by my being
ordered on my journey one day earlier than
was intended. But l had managed to have
a letter sent her. explaining what had pc-
CURED 1t had been arranged that should,
If possible, halt at the village, until a pass
port, horses and servant could reach me- As
was not sure of my letter reaching her in
time, it was with a wildly anxious heart that
i listened for every sound borne on the mid
night dir.
As we had been riding hard for two DAYS,
and my keepers were not averse to copious
draughts of vodka, soon found myself free
20 do as l pleased. This was what had
planned for, but alas! | was helpless. for
had no passport The princess was 10 have
obtained this in the name of her secretary.
As the hours wore away nv anxiety in
creased, and my visits to the door of the post
house became more frequent. AT last nv
listening ears were rewarded by the sound of
jingling bells, and bright light flashed in
the distance, which came toward me with
,apidity Presently Saannd 1irbr
flashed, and then l gave up ali hope, foI
knew that but one tarantaSS would come to
nv rescue, while this must be some person of
Importance as the servants usually Travelled
in second tarantass behind their master
NV disappointment was all the more bitter
as Ludomilof, the keeper OF the post house.
had long since retired with his numerous
family, and, with the gendarmes in a beastly
state of inebriety, my rescue would be only
the work Of a moment. On the tarantaSSes
came and when within short distance of
the post house l could hear the driver in the
first conveyance uttering the most fearful
curses that the keeper was not outside with
light ready to receive them. | jumped at
the conclusion that it was one of the gen
erals appointed by the government TO in
spect the way stations | was exceedingly
sorry for the poor keeper, for / well knew
how tvrannlcal these inspectors could be
when occasion required, and how very un-
Just they usually were in their treatment of
those under them. NY suspicious were cor
rect, for the new arrival proved to be
Gen. Tolstopouzof, the terror of zams-chickS
and post station keepers. But most of these
men in Russia take pride in exhibiting the
power vested in them. This man WIS the
most arbitrary and cruel. 81 them all 1t was
IL special delight to soNerrify these poor
creatures that they would fall in a trembl.sE
hS5s az his2sest begging for mercy. In tie
present instance he rushed into the house IN
q perfect fury, shouting, "Loshadey! (horses.
These are changed at eve1y st..t!onl Where
is that rascally keeper! Twill SHOW him how
to receive his superiors.n
The whole place was in an uproar, in the
MIST Of which my gendarmes awoke cld
ca-la in for their share of abuse for violating
their trust and allowing me to rest on E:y
j5--ncy. Poor fellows, they skunk into =
corner utterly confused. Their oTense vas
Considered the mora grievous as l had been
allowed three horsS, the better to expedite
n: journey. BY this time the poor keeper
t.l arrived on the scene, pale and trembling
with fright He stood by the door, not dar-
iag to speak lest immediate vengeance
descend on his head. The general again
shouted: why are not my horses ready3''
Turning, he saw the keeper.
wretch. will have you sent to Siberia
in Chains at the same time striking him a
terrific blow in the face "Give me the COM
pla Mt book, will enter charge of drunken
ness against your
Now, this complaint book is perfect terror
TO these poor fellows who well know their
doom, once it reaches the hands of the gov
srnment. The old man, with trembling
hands. produced the book which would seal
his doom. He was the father of six chill
1ren, and all were subsisting on the paltry
pittance of 800 roubles per year, house and
fuel free. Ludomilof was a wounded soldier
vino had fought bravely all through the
Crimean war he was sober and attentive
10 travellers, and mono had ever found fault
Gith him. When l reached the post station
found abundance of good cheer and kind
treatment. The poor fellow had placed the
best of everything before us-tea, vodka,
roast beef, eggs, milk and cakes, and Tor en-