The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-11-27

|
bling two thinbles, as the dow for the plant
and the manure fo2 tho folds. IL Lafem
necessarily drew his silver snuff-box from
the depths Of his vest pocket, and, opening
it with q sad air, shook his head and rubbed
his nose; then he restored the snuff-box tc
his pocket, tutoring q deep sigh.
NJ LaAeur, who claimed that his ideas
had vanished with his tobacco, nevertheless.
found one. Tobacco, said he, twas brought
from America to Europe. Suppose were
to look for some similar plant! In certain
countries, they replace bread by the potato
and even by tree bark" So he began to
search, and, as al who seek find, he thought
taat species of arnica which he encounter
ed in his walks would supply the object of
his desires
lie dried the leaves OF that plant upon an
iron plate and succeeded in reducing them
to suitable powder
The first whit OF this chestnut-hued snuff
made tho good N. Lalleur sneeze for half an
hour His nose seemed transformed into
mitrailleu3e It exploded, thundered and
rascl He laughed at it, with tears in his
eyes ''Ah!' cried he. Il believe my nose is
firing salute Of joy!"
Thus the first week OF 5he encamp-nent
Yakoute would return with his sledses and
reindeer. Th;st would be freedom, almost
7elivorance! Yegor, without allowing his
feyarish impotence to DC soal, counted the
hours and the minutes H. Lafeur still
battered himself with the hope that, Yer
mac dead AMI 40 witness Of his completely
existing, he could re idly return to Yak
9utsk.
r1y-- I, I
ives in their retreat. Tao, nevortheless,
continued to be very circu1l3 9eet and watch
full. Near the encampment was an eleva
ton, crowned with enormous pines, which
overlooked the rest of the forest Morning
and evening, Ladislas climbed to the top OF
one of these trees to scan the vicinity; IL
was the fugitives' lighthouse and post OF
observation. From it, the glance embraced
the immense forest, rolling away like sea
of leaves, of which the conical points of the
frs simulated the waves. And, affair Off, Id
q long greenish perspective, chains OF bare
mountains formed, as it were; the steep
shores Of this ocean Of verdure. Away
above huge birds foated like shreds Of torn
cloth, borne along at the will of the winds
in tempestuous sky.
One morning, the exiles found the trees
GROUND
flakes continued to fall one by one, slowly
and silently, weaving white winding<heef
for the earth, putting sWans-down around
the trunks Of the aged pines, and on the
branches of the larches, heaps resembling
stalagmites of virgin wax. The bushes,
sprin6led as if with cotton, produced most
picturesque effect, and every breath of life
beneath the leaves and in the thiclzets was
hushed and suspended
Not the note of bird, not the hum of ar
insect, but heavy, sad silence. One
might have thought that this sudden irrup-
ton of winter in the green forest had frozer
with terror all its inhabitants. But, for the
fugitives, winter, cold and snow, leveline
marshes and boys, were instruments Of de-
liverance!
Yet M, Lafeur, shivering, displayed
vexed look. Finally, towards noon, the
flakes came in lessening numbers and the
snow ceased to fall The dancing-mastel
cast his eyes over the vast stretch Of white
ness, which suggested an immense glacier
of the primitive epoch, when part Of the
world was slumbering beneath thick en-
velope of crystal
That day, after the few hours duration
to which the sunlight was reduced, they
iigia&-ee~-'--@sN adege's hut the great copper
lamp intended to furnish both heat and IL
Elimination.
The young girl made and served tea, re-
counting the while to M. Lafeur the suffer
ings endured by her father and herself or
their Journey to Siberia, in the midst of
severe winter, during which they encounter
ed several of those terrible hurricanes sc
frequent beyond the Ural Mountains.
They saw wolves running on each side
Of their sledge, ready to leap upon the
horses if they should fall or relax their pace
Such experiences were dreadful for an old
man and a young girl so STEPPED in misfor-
tune. They reached Nertchinsk exhausted.
after a Journey of more than forty-sever
hundred miles, accomplished undef the
worst conditions.
''Poor father!" murnlured Nadege, as she
finished her recital.
Poor Nadege!" said Yegor, extending his
hands to his betrothed
my friends" said tho Partisan, ''you de-
serve a better fate! But patience; it will
cone! Filial devotion will have it's re.
compense, and the energy and courage OF
him who is to be your companion in this life
Mademoiselle, will also be rewarded"
While they were thus talking the night
had advanced VI. Lafeur smoked a final
pipe, discreetly putting out-of-doors the
clouds of his doubtful tobacco.
At last, bedtime came. Yegor and the
Partisan babe the young girl and her broth
er goodnight and retired to their hut.
The preparations for bed did not cost
them much toll; the two men put on fun
| night-shirts or l1uchlankas each of them
crawled feet first, into a large reindeer Skin
sack, burying himself up to the head, and
sleep came quickly. The dog Wab kept
guard over all.
Suddenly . little before midnight, the
guests of the forest were awakened by
strange noise made by the cracking, crunch.
ing, aaad fall Of trees amid d CREST crash OF
branches. Eoars Of anin}ls AMI plaintive
cries mingled with it. Wao uttered furious
| bowls.
On opening their eyes, Yegor and his com
panion saw the SKY ro3 VITA fro. G1asses
Of rudy smoke rollei across it, Whirline
one about another A strong Tor Of burn
| ing green wood was everywhere.
At this sigas they stood terror-s ricken