Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-22
what the world calls nav charms-vourseli

tune-4. 900, 900 silver roublesI But th
only good this money can do me is to hel
me to set you free. If I could only retur
to you in timel for have just heard-m
second piece of news-who has been sr
pointed revisor for Eastern Siberia. It
our bitterest enemy, that man Schelm, VIII
has here q number of adherents and de
| pendents.
"At the head of his party stands the Min
lister OF the Interior, Count Perowski. hea
| that my fathers death was to render you
| great service. The minister was about Il
Danish me from Petersburg on the pretex
| that the wife of an exile was not allowed t,
reside in the capital. The Emperor, how
ever, heard of this and would not consent
1T is perfectly in order that this nobl,
woman should endeavor to carry out hel
fathers last wishes. She shall not be inter
fered withF'
"Count Orloff, who has received me very
kindly, repeated these words of the monarch
to me. Unfortunately the Cars benevo-
lence stopped here. I asked the chief ol
the gendarmes to promise me an audience
for a few minutes only with the Gar. He
answered this was an impossiDility. I inn
plored him. Iell on my knees be ore him!
A. last suppose must have found words
to move him, for he grew milder and said:
Try to get your uncle, Count Lanin, to sign
your petition for an audience, and then I
will take the rest upon myselfP I Ihastened
to your uncle's; he would not receive me,
and when returned to Count Orloff his
door also was closed to mel How petty, how
worthless they are!
"And yet, my dear Vladimir, I do not
mean to be discouraged. I shall knock at
every door. Tomorrow I think of taking a
very important step, but I do not tell you
Il - 8
my next letter with piece of coed news.
Be patient meanwhile, bear everything for
the time being, and remember that your
wife is day and night at work for you, and
you alonel
"I must speak to the Emperor, even
should have to address him on his favorite
promenade. But who knows if I shall sue
ceedl The political horizon is darkening-
the Gar looks sad and thoughtful; he walks
out but rarely"
Suddenly Vladimir paused, for be felt
hand laid gently on his shoulder. Instantly
he concealed the letter in his clothing, and
turned round. Behind him stood man,
whom Lanin suspected of being a spy, and
whom he therefore carefully avoided.
"Have a care" whispered this man.
"They want to ruin you. Destroy the letter
as soon as you have read it. The revisor
Will pc mere IN moment. You are sur
rounded by spiesp'
"And you are the head of them," Vladi-
mir said contemptuously. Leave me
alone"
But the spy was not deferred.
81 give you my solemn assurance have
been ordered to warn you, and thus to pro-
tect you." Then he whispered Palkin's
name into Vladimir's ears, and moved away.
Instinctively Vladimir looked around,
but as he saw nothing formidable he went
on reading.
81 verify believe an evil destiny pursues
me. Once more have been disappointed.
Can greater griet be conceived than mine,
when think that one word from me could
change the whole state of things, and that
word cannot reach the man who alone can
help us? The step on which 1 counted was
q visit to Rita. She is indeed noble Great
ure, and think you have done her injus-
tice. She is devoted to me, but she tells me
that since 1850 circumstances have altered
very much. Since Napoleon is Emperor
Diplomatic relations between France and
Russia have grown cool. A breach even is
expected. Nine. de Dugarcy
is no longer such fayorite at court; the
Empress sees her only on solemn occasions,
and says little to her. Nevertheless she
me her assistance. Five times we
have attempted to get an audience with the
Empress at the Winter Palace, but always
in vain. My last hope is now to meet the
Czar on one OF his walks and to hand him
my petition, lying on my knees before him.
For five days have patiently waited for
hours before the palace, hoping to see him.
The doors have never yet openedl
II do not send the letter yet, because the
hour is near to make another attempt at the
palace gates. Perhaps 1 am lucky to-dayl
rhe sky is so pure and clear! JANA.
"P. S.-How good and gracious the Lord
81 Full of despair returned home, having
.iven up all hope to see the Gar. Then
here came this card: General Count Moski,
Governor of East Siderable of good hope.'
And you, dear Vladimir, be cautious; as I
watch here over you, do you watch there
ver yourself, and forget it not single mo-
nent."
Vladimir was on the point of putting the
etter again into his pocket, hoping to read
at night more at leisure, when he was
seized at both hands with great |
iolence. Terrified, he uttered a cry and |
urned around. Two overseers were stand |
ng behind him. One OF them held the |
and in which his wile's letter was as with |
n iron grasp, and before him stood Schelm,
ccompanied by the commandant OF the |
rlson.
Vladimir knew that Schelm had come to |
rkutsk, but he had not seen him yet. This |
nexpected meeting with his pursuer at |
uch moment excited him to such degree |
nat he lost his presence of mind.
PLEASE give me that letter at once" said |
chelm with affected politeness.
Vladimir did not think of it that Jana
lust have expected the letter would get into
ostile hands, and had therefore no doubt
mitted everything that could compromise
ladimlr. He thought especially OF that
nal reference to the Governor General, and
18th one sublime effort he raised the letter
} his mouth with his left hand. At once
pom sign from Schelm two 1nen seized
i'm and drew the paper from his friends
losed teeth. He could but just tear off with
is teeth the postscript and swallow it Dy a
lightly effort. The torn letter was handed
} Schelm, and Lanin let free.
You were witness OF this manifest re-
stance" said Schelm to the commandant.
"What new punishment" said the latter,
do you decree against the prisoner when
is present term expires?"
"Ill decide that hereafter"
Vladimer trembled with indignation when
e saw Jana's letter in Schelm's hands,
ortunately be remembered her anxious
rayer that he should be cautious. He tried
calm down while Schelm read the letter
lrefully. When he had finished he said to
amin:
81 do not comprehend what excited YOU
much. One might imagine from your
'nduct that the letter contained most dan.
erous things. suppose the part you tore
Il MT nj |