Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-04
CHAPTER X.

The bells began to ring merry and the
streets were full of people. The gilt
cupolas of st. Isaacs and Our Dear Lady of
Kasam shone in the rays of the sun. All
Petersburg was in gala dress: it was Sum-
day, the day following the events jus.
mentioned.
The fort of Peter and Paul, the founda-
tions of which are laid on the bed of the
Neva, seemed alone to keep aloof from the
universal ioyousness. The rays of the sun
seemed to be unable TO warm these sad walls,
and the dense enveloping fog gave to it the
appearance of a tomb. The bells of the fort
rang, to be sure, like all others, but their
soundcame low and sorrowful, as if tolling
for funeral.
4. The easements, on level with the river,
have to be lit by day and by night with oil
lamps. The prisoners are fearful. Cell No.
II, at the end of corridor, lies opposite to
q grated door that is covered over with bars
and padlocks. This door leads to few steps
which descend to the river. Here, as every
where, the walls are damp and cracked in
many places; the dirty, uneven floor con-
sists of bricks; the vaulted ceiling is very
low; the small window heavily grated out
side, nothing but the waves OF the Neya can
be seen. And vet the keepers open this cell
only reluctantly, never as long as any other
cell is unoccupied. For this cell has its
own grewsome story. A large number of
unhappy beings have here ended their
lives, and if tradition may be believed,
the famous Princess Tarakof also per
ished here in the waves. when, in 1877,
her cell was suddenly flooded. In the
III efSll oil
who vowed he had seen the corpse of the
wretched lady, as it was found after the
waters had subsided. The rats, however,
had left nothiug but the skeleton of the
beautiful woman. On the evening of the
day, which had just passed, rich capture
seemed to have been made, for IL times in
succession the ponderous gstes of the
fortress had been opened. At last all was
full, and Miller, OF Millertowl, was sent to
the ill-fated cell. He rested his elbows on
the small table, the one article in the cell,
and was sunk in deep meditation. Fifteen
hours had gone by since his arrest, and he
could not yet recover his usual calmness.
He was emphatically a man OF action, of
energy, and preserved even in battle his in
comparable repose, while giving proof of
mis- matchIess boldness and resolution. But
now, alone in his dungeon, be had ample
time to reflect. and with reflection came con-
saieniiOGs ocruples and apprehension.
"Well," he said to himself, lit is done!
Schelm has conquered. and 1 have COM
mItled the most horrible deed that human
imagination can we'll devise. Ishrink from
myself. Ten of Hearts, that brave, loyal
Colonel, will be shot or hanged, or sentenced
to lifelong labor in the minesl Four of
Hearts, the young man, full of trust and
confidence, at whose mothers table 1 dined
recently, is in prison! The Treasurer OF the
Minister OF Finance, who had remained
honest these 80 years, was tempted by me
and by nv misleading words. L have used
my talents-ior have it in me to become a
leader of men-to ruin nine men by taking
them into a conspiracy of which they did
not even dream. And Vladimir! l cannot
think of him! do not believe in parsons
tales-but If there should really be just
God"
And now Miller began to speak, as is often
the case in solitary confinement, to an in
visible person:
"Do you know that Schelm is capable of
deceiying me even vet? The world knows
no greater rascal than Schelm. 1 may, after
all, have committed this fearful crime in