Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-09-11
THE EXILES.
A RUSSIAN STORY

Soon Yernac was hemTned in On all sides
and entirely at the discretion of his ag
gressors. The latter took position-they
utilized everything-trees, rocks, and IN
capabilities of the ground-and, slowly, giving
themselves time to take steady aim, they
made Yermac a target.
The chief of police did not lose his pres
ence Of mind and bravely sustained this dis
loyal attack. Three times he reloaded his
gun; he fired five shots at one OF his adver-
saries the one most advanced on his left,
then, wheeling rapidly about, discharged his
weapon to the right at a second, who, sur
prised as he was passing from one tree to
another to advance few yards, was hit full
In the breast.
To the howl uttered by the latter as he
fell, his companions roars of anger re-
sponded. The band of gold-robbers, who
had terrified the country, had lost their
chief.
In an instant, Yermac was flooded with
projectiles.
He would infallibly be forced to succumb,
for, besides the fact that flight was repug-
nant to him, he well knew that to turn his
back would be but an Indifferent means OF
ameliorating his perilous situation.
Suddenly, one of the ASSISTANTS uttered a
cry. 1t was an invitation to his compan-
lens to stop the attack; and Yermac was
much surprised to see come towards him
unarmed the adversary Of the left, again st
whom most of his efforts had been directed
He was very young man, beardless, with
black eyes and the dull complexion of a
Slovenian, and clad in the skin garments of
the Yakoutes.
What was Yermac's stupefaction on re-
cognizing in this bIigand OF the stePpes, seen
in the rudy light of the glowing cenfagra-
ton, his son Dimitrit
Father" cried the latter, cit is l."
'Wretch!" exclaimed Yermac 'FYou!
You-with them with the goid-robbers !"
''Have no further fear" said Dimitri,
and he signed to his companions to with
draw
$50, robber and assassin. you were on
the point of becoming q parricide." observed
the unfortunate father, prey to genuine
despair.
Father" said Dimitri, timidly, II have
never been an assassin-never, l swear it !"
''Parricide, you became one," pursued
Yermac, 'Wnen in depriving me of honor
you took from me more than lifol Do you
know what I was compelled to do to eXpiate
your crimes! Did you doubt my voluntary
humiliation when / abandoned my position
as Ipravsnik? Have you thought Of the
contempt and affronts l was forced to en-
dure while convict-guard?"
Father, the iniquities of which you have
been the victim, this odious censure and
this exile which you did not deserve have
troubled my mind. have suffered greatly
in seeing you suffer. l rose in insurrection
against that blind and criminal society of
which you had so much to complain; wish
ed to avenge you"
Zone obtains vengeance by rehabilitating
himself in the eyes Of those who believe him
guilty. or who disbelieving his guilt affirm
it. " said Yermac, sternly. "Injustice must
be made to bend. And now"
''And now, what do you wish should
become of me?" interrupted Dimitri II
cannot return among honest people-that, is
certain. Abandon me to my fatc l will
live despised by all and myself"
No; you can dier'
''What?"
II say that you can expiate your crimes,
honor of my name"
Howe"
by DEATH"
ssYou wish me to die?" said Dmitri, with
a sad smile. II have thought of death many
times, for life is burden to me, and the
hours when I feel ready to deliver myself
from it are growing more and more frequent
Patience, father; soon, perhaps, you will
hear no more of your son!"
THAT is not what | wish. Jutsice de-
mands less voluntary and more immediate
expiation having the value and force of pun.
ishment. An ignominious death is reQuir
ed, and you are going to receive it at my
hands !"
"a father kill his SOM"
s'There is here neither father nor son
There is, on the other hand, far from every
tribunal, a man whom the law has conse
Grated d judge, who has never laid aside
that character despite his unwonted forfeit
ure. and who should pronounce your death
sentence! That sentence l will execute
Follow me-"
He dragged him behind some rocks which
hid both of them from the sight of Dimitri's
companions. The latter seemed to have
OWNED a stormy explanation between the
father and son, and held themselves il
readiness to fly to the assistance Of theil
cOGl13Ge
DiElitri, livid regarded his father with
that fixed glance which a criminal fastens
on his eXecutioner at the moment OF exc
cution, for the young man felt that he was
about to receive his death at his fathers
hands.
Father, your will be done!" murmured
he.
There are words which should not be
profancd," said Nermac, in a stern voice
Give me your beltl"
For what purpose!"
''To tie you to tree"
1T is useless: you shall see that l know
how to die. When am dead, you will have
to push me to make me fall"
''Obey; this binding is a humiliation to
which you should submit"
IF SO, [ consent to it. Do as you will"
Dimitri took off and handed him his long
woollen belt. His father, pushing him
against a larch, passed it around his body
and tied it in knot behind the tree; then
he placed himself before his son. He
drew from the leather belt, which kept
them at his sides, his two revolvers and
said, with emotion which he did not strive
to hide:
''You are about to die, Dimitri-alas in
this place! Who could have told me so the
day you were born All! if your mother
Dimitri, turn your thoughts to God! Pray
my child!"
But, first, father, shall have your par
don after l am dead?"
Eyes, when you have eXpiated-"
A cold sweat broke out on the chief of pc
Ices forehead. The Judge was awakening
in the father