The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-18

remained of one of those ancient fortifcar
lions built, in the seventeenth century, tc
protect the first Russian pioneers against
the incursions of the natives
Beside the ostrog stood a small village
one of the most remote stations in this north.
ern region.
In the fortress, ten Cossacks composed 9
post placed under the orders of an Esaoule
Thanks to this armed band, the officer of the
Gar was enabled to collect by force the tax
payable in furs the yasak-oWed by the
nomads of the district.
Yegor and his companions were brought
before the Esaoule, who occupied the larg
est house in the village. He was an aged
Russian-an old fox whitened in his burrow
perhaps, a former under-ofticer of the
army who had been promoted, perhaps, a
disgraced functionary who had been punish
ed by Punishment
With such man, firmness was necessary
Yegor summoned up all he possessed. HI.
complained Of the invitation made with arm
ed hand by one of the soldiers of the ostrog
protesting that he was accustomed to more
respect.
M Lafeur, thinking that his friend was
assuming too lofty a tone, interposed.
Look here, my dear fellow" said he
tiny gluttony did as much towards deciding
you to come to pay your respects to our
Esaoule as all that abominable CossacF
said. L am hungry and want something
warm to eat" added he, addressing the
Esaoule.
1T was not your intention to stop here
then?" said the latter. 'sYou wished neithel
to renew your stock of provisions nor c
procure fresh animals?"
This officer all-poWerful in the district
could alone grant permission to obtain rein
deer and purchase food
eve came from Yakoutsl,' answered
Yegor, but our reindeer, which were
brought to us from Zachiverslz, are not ye'
fatigued AID our provisions are still abun
dant."
''And you are going"
''To Mini Kolimsl. This young girl an6
her brother are the children Of your col
league, the Esaoule of that town; then
father is very ill-and [ am taking them te
him"
"Ah! Toumanoff is nl?-dying? I have
heard nothing of i'll" said the old officer. g
knew that his daughter and son were being
educated at Yakoutsk."
"They are before you, said Yegor, blush.
ing deeply at the lie he was forced to tell
His color and confusion did not escape the
Esaoulc.
"Havo you PASSPORTS" asked he.
Certainly" said Yegor, drawing from his
bosom the document he had prepared
''Let me look at it, " said the official.
He took the stamped paper, read and re.
read it, turning it over and over in his hands
4 6ictI
fashion.
YerInac smiled; he kept his eyes on the
EsaouIe and was amused at the embarrass-
ment Of Yegor, whom his presence alone
greatly troubled.
''The passport is in proper shape" said
the officer at length, ''but it is only for you
and my colleagues children. Have the. two
men who are with you passports, also?"
zone of them" said Yegor, drawing or
all the powers of his imagination, I'M. LAT
leur," and he presented to the Esaoule the
former herbalist, lis a Partisan and, furth.
er, distinguished naturalist and the author
of the 'Flora Altaica"
CAL this is not passport" observed the
old Russian official
I'M La1eur has ticket permitting him tc
go as far as AldanslEoi where | met him,
and he risked accompanying me out Of pure
love for science"
"Hum I" muttercd the Esaoule, but hall
convinced
Never" said M. Laheur, ''am 1 asked for
my passport-nO, never! and every year ]
run through Siberia from the Ural Noun
tains to Kamtchatka, and from the Altai
chain to the Arctic Ocean. The rest of my
time pass in the intimacy of the governor
of Yakoutsk and his charming family. ]
enjoy the respect of the governor, the esteem
of his wife, and the friendship Of Miles,
Agrafena and Elena, their daughters. Are
you satisfied, EsaouIe! For relay-master
you are furiously exactingl Look at me
Welt am Frenchman, born IN Paris, on
the Place de la Bastlle. My spine ie
straight and [ have not the air of being ac-
customed to receive the lznout-knoW that,
and vive la liberte! Respect in me a
friend Of your superior, and don't annoy me
further with your ridiculous fOrmalities y
While speaking, M. Lafeur had, never
theless, handed his ticket to the officer.
81 ask your pardon, Monsieur" said the
latter, respectfully taking the paper; 'but
the chief of police Of Yakoutsk," (the fugi-
tives could not repress a start of great sur
prise) 'notified me through my Cossacks of
the escape of several exles and sent me de-
scriptions answering exactly to you, this
young lady, her brother, and the young man
accompanying them"
Yermac drew himself up, radiant at hav-
ing succeeded SO well.
Yegor thought he was about to speak-to
denounce them
He made desperate attempt to assure
his silence.
"You have not asked me, said he, to the
Esaoule, ''who is my other travelling com.
panion. have the honor to present to you
in him enc of the four or five Polish priests"
(Yermac seemed overcome with supreme
anazement)-'Soneo Of the Polish priests
whom the Russian government allows to
travel through Siberia to visit once a year
the settlements in which are the political
convicts of their race and faith. He passes
bravely through the Siberian cold from
Tobolsk to the colonies of the AMOR, and
from the mines of Nertchinslz to the ship
yards of Okhotsk."
'FIe ought to have regular passport"
murmured the Esaoule.
ob;of Of ,oo1ioo bod ohOr1f him OpI "