Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-09-18
THE EXILES.
A RUSSIAN STORY.

do so.
When the ex-herbalist had finished, he
said:
81 presume that it is not your intention tc
remain eternally in this spot open to all the
winds and exposed to every inclemency of
the welther!n
mo" answered Yegor. joining the con.
versation, I'VE are waiting here for a ma
tive sent by us to Zachiversk, who is tc
bring US back two nartas drawn by rein
deer"
Butt seems to me that you are taking
me into your confidence III regard"
ITO our plans!" interrupted Yegor. ''Well,
what of it! Your loyalty despite the Ian
guage you have used, is a guarantee to Inc
that | can enter into d free explanation with
you"
You speak, perhaps, with too much con-
ddence."
eve have a right to that confidence" OBJ
served the Partisan, ''for without US, Mon
sieur Yermac, the bear with the white col
lar would have been digesting you at this
mon ent!"
eyes, yes-you count on holding me
through gratitude"
1--WE must for the reason [ have stated
resumed Yeeo., remain as near as posi-
BILE to the forest-I should say the site on
which the forest stood. Can you account
for this frghtful disaster Monsieur Yer
mac!"
"Yes," said the latter; sit was | who set
fire to the forest"
"You" cried the fugitives in one voice.
s'To dislodge you'll could not Indefinitely
await your good pleasure"
'But, wretch, exclaimed Yegor, you ran
tho risk Of roasting us aliye!"
''Of course; knew / was exposing you tc
that"
''And you did not shrink from such hor-
rible deed?" said Nadege.
Well" observed NJ. Lafcur, eve are,
indeed, square with you; we were So I see,
even before the episode Of the bear. Be-
tween us, the rock in the detiles was amere
nothing compared to the means you employ
when you set yourself to work."
And the attack beside the poole" said the
chief of police.
eve are square with you, tell YOU" re-
piled the Partisan. Twice. it is true, YOU
have Csc&TCd. But we were four IN dan"Cr
OF death. Count up Tor YOURSELF You are
still indebted to US for what we did for you
III releasing you from the hiding-placa of
the bear with the white collar the Ursus
Collarius!"
For scientific man, you are keen cal
culator M Lancur!"
Because | am somewhat Of a merchant
also, and know how to keep books. Your
account balanced, charge you anew with
miraculous resurrection"
And your doctor fccs!"
81 pass them to profit and loss"
M. Eaiiour, rs he talked, beat his sides ~
the coachmon are accustomed to do i'll Paris
That, however, Gid not prevent him from
being ready Win his replies.
That day was marked by adiScovery made
by Ladislas after breakfast-a breakfast
which We'd in frugality with the supper Of
the previous evening.
With the aid of few small branches, the
lad had cleared away the snow from the vi
cinity of Nadege's little tent He then sat
down on the ground, and, as he had seen M
Lafeur pick up pebbles and examine them
to see if they were worthy of figuring in the
now collection he had commenced, Ladislas
initiated IS actions.
His eye was particularly attracted towards
quite a large number of SMALL round stones
of yclloWish green, which lay upon the
rocky soil. He gathered them, and, after
having displayed them for Nadcge's admira
ton, again squatted on the ground and be-
gan to throw them into the air, one after an
other, catching them in one hand with the
address of a juggler.
M. Lafcur, who arrived unexpectedly
was s9ruck by the form and color of the
Stones, and upon examining them, cxclaim
ed:
What l7,c'1 These are green emeralds
of rar3 size and great value"
Are you certain, NJ. Lafleur?" asked Mad
eye, who already saw in perspective superb
adomments for grand occasions.
Il tell you, Mademoiselle, that they are
marvellous emeralds, the equals of which
perhaps, no court in Europe possesses. They
are worth many thousands of dollars"
The chief of police heard these words and
approached, followed by Yegor
Look Monsieur" said Ladislas to him.
an. Laflem asserts that these are emer
aldsr'
Il can readily believe it." answered Yer
mac, after brief examination.
There can he no doubt about it, said M.
Laheur. "Glance at this one which is brolz
en-; the break has the requisite glassiness
and roughncss."
Il have made a good days work, it seemsp
cried the child.
My little friend" said tho chief of police
''you perhaps, do not know that all the
precious stones discovered in Siberia belone
to the Gar! These must be sent to him
without retaining any!"
You are joking, Monsieur YermacI" said
Yegor. always the Carl"
but it is the law"
''Must we retrace our steps to lay at the
feet of the Emperor these geWglvs with
the like of which his treasury abounds!"
you are having your little laugh. viii
charge myself with transporting them
without in the least mcommoding youn
at is you who are laughing now-and al
our expense" replied Yegor
''Well, see l must DO as you like in this
matter and must limit myself to making q
note of the discovery"
make as llany notes as you please, my
dear Monsieur Yermac," said NJ Lafeur
sand make them at your ease. For our part
we shall carefully put aside these little peb
bles They viii he souvenirs of our rougr
experiences and of the time we passed iI
your company"
The incident had no other result.
One day, two days passed: it was Just st
much less to wait for the arrival of the
nartas. The snow, which fell at shorter
and shorter intervals, commenced to harden
The great highway of fight was preparing
broad, level, and as vast as possible.
The chief of police, his right arm in a
sling, aided Nadege in the preparation OF
the food. To the dry fish and smoked SAL
mon which the Russians called oulzale,
some of Yegor's happy shots added white
hare and two heath-cocks; finally, NJ LAT.
cd q ,IoI,