Omaha daily bee., 1889-03-25

quickly selected twenty Of their fellow
students and formed in line.
"Nifont Dolgopolof, wo are ready"
said Dmitri, ready to depart with his
little troupe.
go, and may God be with you."
After their departure every thing be-
came bustle and activity within. Tables
and chairs, desks and benches were
drawn to the windows, which could be
scaled from without, and all the doors
excepting the main entrance were
barricaded. The rebels against Rus
sia's rule were ready to oppose, sword
in hand, the insolence OF tyranny.
The scene above described took place
in the City of Tver,in European Russia,
a short distance from Moscow. The
students OF all the universities of Russia
had revolted at the despotism of the
Tsar and the bloody uprising of
the 28th OF November, 1887, at Moscow,
was but the prelude to like affairs
throughout the length and breadth of
the land. Tver university was no ex-
ception, and from the day the students
received the news of their brethren's
revolt at Moscow, meetings were held,
which increased in revolutionary in
tensity as time wore on. The faculty
was powerless and the threat to close
the university was only laughed at.
Organization among the students was
complete. They were we'll armed, each
having besides his rapier, one and even
two revolvers and ammunition in abun-
dance. There were 800 students at the
university. Nifont Dolgopolof, a medi-
cal student of great promise,
was their chosen leader. He
was handsome youth, about
twenty-six years Of age, in stature tow
ering above his companions. His black
piercing eye and curling black hair
gave him u martial appearance. AS he
stood there by the window peering out
into the gloom beyond for the approach
ing danger there was something noble
and grand in his bearing.
"What will the issue be?" he solilo-
quized. "How much longer must Rus
sia suffer through her tyrants? Will
the day of her release never dawn?
know that this resistance is useless.
No; not unless it will be an example for
her future sons to emulate. And Va
leska, my poor sister, will L ever see
you again?"
Nifont's self-communion was inter-
rupted by the entrance of Petrowslki,
one OF the men who assisted in guard
ing the main gate under Dmitri and
Ivan.
''Nifont, the soldiery is approaching"
he said. Have you any further COM
mands?'
"None," answered Nifont, after some
say this to our friends, that death is
better than life in Siberia"
Petrowski departed in silence. The
preparations for defense were resumed
by the rebellious students, and when
these were completed several groups
were formed who discussed in low tones
the coming events. Suddenly in the
distance the faint sound of approaching
footsteps were heard. Nearer and
clearer came the sound which could not
be misunderstood. 1t was the regular
even tread Of large body of men.
Nifont ordered silence, and, mounting
hall, addressed his comrades as follows:
Brethren, we have borne the yoke
too long. We must either submit for
ever like slaves, or assert our manhood
by an emphatic resistance. The lesson
will not be lost upon our tyrants, even
though we perish in the attempt"
AS Nifont was speaking a tumult
arose on the street below. Angry voices
mingled with the clang of sabers could
be heard. In the hall the lamps were
eXtinguished with the exception of a
SOllbStFy llS ub uCtT GilS SOtlTWdy.
opened q window overlooking the court
yard.
"Open the gates in the name OF the
law" came voice from below, ac-
cOmpanied by heavy raps with q saber
hilt on the closed portal.
No response was made to the sum-
mons.
"That's the chief of police" said
Nifont in whisper, turning to his
companions grouped about him near the
window.
Twice the demand was repeated with
the same result. Then came success
sion OF blows upon the gate which
threatened to shatter it.
''The zasedatel means business" OBJ
served Paul Palowski, one of the most
eager of the students. "Why don't
they open up and give him chance?"
Even as he spoke a battering-ram was
applied to the gate. One, two, three
blows and it came down with crash.
Then followed struggle which the pen
Is too weak to describe. Twenty-Five
desperate men fighting for life or exile
staring them In the face. Short was
and dying g,intermingled with the shouts
and curses OF the soldiery, were heard
by their comrades above, and sent a
chill through many brave heart. AL
| ready the victors assembled the stairs.
Forward" shouted Nifont.
Almost before the words were out of
his mouth, the students pushed to the
stairs only to be met with the bayonet
and sabres of the assaulters. What fol-
flowed beggars description. 'Nlfont
and his friends fought like lions. The
effort was futile. Those that were not
killed outright were placed hors-de-
combat and made prisoners. Nifont
was among the latter. When morning
broke it was found that ninety eight
| students had paid the penalty Of their
rashness with death; forty-seven with
wounds more or less serious, and fifty
| were made prisoners with a worse fate
awaiting them. The police and soldiers
lost twenty, and about forty were
| wounded. Thus ended one OF the most
sanguinary internal struggles of modern
| Russia.
| n
In the sitting room OF pretty cottage
on the Alexandrovitch road, on the
third morning after the stirring events
above narrated, sat a young girl clad in
deep mourning. She could not be older
than nineteen years, and the extreme
| palor OF her beautiful countenance was
heightened by her dark: garments. Her
eyes were full of tears. This was Va.
| ,lr nAlr l-f