Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-31
THE EXILES.
A RUSSIAN STORY
CHAPTER 1.-THE INSULT IN THE MINE.

mines of NeTtchinSk.
On cold October morning, several years
ago, small vehicle deposited young Rus
sian about twenty-five, in front of the wood
en- house of the inspector of one of these
mines-that of Oukboul.
The condemned man, who was pale and
weak, seemed worn out by the journey from
Kieff to Nertchinsk, which had been made,
without stopping in an open hbitka. For
more than two months, he had worn outside
of his boots the iron rings of his chain rivet-
ed to his ankles.
The gendarme in a blue blouse and brass
helmet, who had accompanied him, entered
the INSPECTORS office to deliver into his
hands the papers concerning the exile con-
fided to his care.
On the threshold he ran against and was
almost overthrown by a hideous-looking
man with a swollen face, who came out with
his hands tied behind his back, and was with
great difficulty managed by the gendarme
in charge of him.
He was convict who had attempted to
escape from the shipyards of Olzhotsk, and
had been brought long distance to be i'm
prisoned in the mysterious fortress of Aka
touia, situated on the outskirts of Merit
chlnsk. The very name of this fortress in
spires unspeakable terror throughout all
Siberia. The wretched being had effaced
with sulphuric acid the word vor (thief)
which had been branded upon his forehead
and cheeks.
II am thirstyl" cried he, in a choking
voice. 'Give me drink, somebody I am
dying of fever"
The gendarme paid no attention to his
words, but fastened him to the heavy wheel
of, 49, lo1o~
spector's house.
From the interior of the mansion escaped
the sharp sounds of little violin upon which
some one was gayly playing the "Belle He
lene" quadrille. A lively voice was giving
out the figures and movements to the dan
GERS, whose resounding steps were accom-
panied with fresh and youthful laughter.
"a drop of understanding to drink !"
yelled the convict, kneeling in the mud and
rolling his wicked eyes, while his mouth
foamed with rage
The new conner turned away from this re-
pulsive spectacle, and surveyed the spot
where he was to undergo his punishment.
Before him were scattered hundred cab
ms and yourtes, shelters of the toilers of
the mine, above which rose here and there
wooden edifices tenanted by the clerks. the
also saw the barracks of the guards, tb e
CHI and the hospital. Everything had
the most miserable aspect.
Beyond, bounding the perspective, were
the Sablonoi Mountains, whose snowy sum-
mits stretched away to the east as far as
the eye could reach.
In a ravine, a breach in the perpendicular
walls rising to a height of more than two
Thousand feet, was the shaft of the NINE
Upon the blood red rock the cold had al
ready CONCEALED the water produced by the
melting of the snow, and the hydraulic
wheel, which liquid sheet set in motion in
the summer, was still, rising huge and black
like an instrument of punishment
The icy wind from the ravine brought with
it sharp needles of frost which pricked the
exile's face
He lifted towards heaven a look of sad
resignation, but quick as lightning youth
and right asserted themselves; his black
eyes flashed and his body Strengthened with
movement of pride, which ennobled the
convict's gray cloak and the hideous little
hat which concealed the absence of the
brown locks shorn off by the prison scissors.
He scanned the horizon as if searching for
some way OF escape
At this moment, the bound convict gave
vent to a series of hollow bowls The music
ceased. Two young girls thrust their faxen
heads cu'iously out of the half-opea door,
and their dancing mastc", gently putting
them aside, emerged, holding his little poc1-
ct violin IN his hand.
He was over forty. Ills bearing was de-
cided and his air loyi,l, but there was some
thing of the grotrsque III his appearance
He loolIc& like ncithcr native nor ID Sla-
vonian.
He approached the convict and asked
him in bad Russian, but in a tone of inter
est, what he was complaining about so Bit
terly.
''These dogs are allowing me to be con-
sumed with thirstr cried the wretch. ''It
is like red-hot iron in there !" added he, open
ing to its full extent mouth, the lips of
which were disfgured by the corrosive ac-
ton of sulphuric acid.
The man Of the violin had an inspiration
He drew a small empty flask from his fur
trimmed vest, and returned to his pupils to
ask them to fill it with water. Then, he
once more made his way to the convict and
poured the contents of the flask drop by
drop, into his burning and swollen mouth.
The sufferer assumed the look of CRATE
ful animal.
''Thank you'll" said he
"You allowed yourself to be recaptured,
chg said the man of the violin. ''Did you
not know what awaited you2"
''Wen, what?"
'fifty blows with the l1nout and the rest"
81 will bear them and afterwards drink
the health of the Gar our general father"
The dancing master approached the new
conner and said to him in low voice:
'All talk! I wager that he will be dead
at the twentieth blow'
The young man thought;
''This is what would happen to me, if
tried to escape and was retal1en. Between
this man and myself, by order of the Cars
judges, there is not the least difference"
Then, addressing the dancing master, he
said to him, extending his hand:
Let me thank you, in my turn, for your
generosity to this unfortunate being"
Il grasp your hand with pleasure" said
the musician, who had noticed that the new
conner bore on his back the square of red
cloth indicating political convict ''As to
your thanks, they are superfluous. l am
under no restraint, God be praised! I be-
long neither to the guards, the police, nor
the management of the mines. I am a
Partisan and dancing master. Perhaps
you are acquainted with Paris, Monsieur!
Yesa Well, was born on the Place de la
Bastille, opposite the column Vive Ia lib
erte! don't conceal my sentiments -
The gendarme, who had brought the exile,
returned and informed the young man that
the inspector was waiting for him
al-a ~,