Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-05-02
4 SELF-EXILE.

In the Ural mountains, which
divide frozen, cheerless Siberia
from Russia, are located the largest
sheet iron works on the globe
They are owned and controlled by
the government, and constitute
an entire city, which is fortified
against the world. Russian sheet
iron is superior IN tautness and
finish to that produced by any
other nation, aud its process of
manufacture Is zealOusly guarded
by the authorities. No one who
enters the service ever again sees
the outside world. He sacrifices
freedom and intercourse with his
tamiIy and friends for few paltry
rouDles a month. which will be de-
liyered to any one whom he chooses
to send them. Not a word though
concerning an emplOye can be got
ten from any government official.
He might live twenty years after
entering the works, or he might
die the following day, and his fam
Iilv wOuld be none the wiser, 0nless
the nOn.appearance of the monthly
stipend created suspicion in their
minds. Sometimes a worker en'
deavOrs to escape; but he is always
caught, and, as a warning to 9th
ers, Instantly shot for his attempt.
ed treachery.
Our story opens III ObviOsk, q
little village about 200 miles from
the great lrOu-wOrks. 1t was Octo'
Der, and vegetation of every kind
had turned a reddish brown, ex-
cept the mOsses and licbens, which
seemed to cling closes to the rocks
and powders in their endeavor to
shield themselves from the stiff
east wind that came cold and cut
ting from the snow covered Ural.
Petroff NOrvitski entered his
humble dwelling as his wife, Kar-
tina, placed the meager supper of
bread and potatoes upon the little
fir table, on which fickered and
hared piece of candle from a
small gourd which answered as a
candlestick.
"WeH, Petroft, what luck to-
lday ~ his wife inquired, looking
up with her eyes red as though
from weeping.
"None, Kartlna-none," answer
ed her husband, sinking YEARLY
into a chair. 81 have walked all
day he continued, looking straight
at the discriminating candle,
which splurted angrlly, as though
displeased at his steady gaze, "but
could find no work. l went to see
lold man KOrskOff, but he would
give me no work nor lend me a
Icopeck. With very scant allow
ance we Will have bread and pota
toes enough to do US week: and
then-my God will you and the
children have to share the tate O
Bochski's wife and children
Poor Bochsbl; he did all he coulo
to keep them alive; but hungeri
cruel pang and winters icy breath
took them away. No, Katrina
no one potato Is as much as I car
eat. / am not hungry cOul(
not take another mOuthfui 'f
we're to try"
Poor FellOw-he was nearly
starved but he knew there we''
but few potatoes left, and he reas
oned it would be better TO leav
them for Katrina and the children
81 am tired, though, Kartina
land will 90 to bed. Cheer NJ
little WIFE," he said, taking he
tenderly in his arms; 1.-THE sur
shine may soon burst through tn
clouds, and our house again b
flooded with light and happiness
1t is true that crops have taile
r. and that can get no work; bI
h the blessed Virgin will see
rs rs through this winter"
IS IS Kissing his wife and childrt
er goodnight, he sought the rest he
- much needed. He closed his ey'
ITS but not to sleep; it was to THU
go of the probability of seeing b
L family starving and freezln
and to try to devise sol
- means by which he could ave
that terrible calamity.
: When he arose in the mOrnl
z. he appeared happier and mo
e. hopeful ; hut he could not conc'
:: The fact that his cheerfolneFs W
II most assumed
4! After eating his breakfast, viii
=; consisted of one potato, he g
- -. hraced his family with more tf
derness than usual, and evadI
his wIfe's question as to where
8 was gong, be babe her to be
- GOOD cheer and left the house
When be was we'll ont o! sight
home he sat down on large rc
ofrnnH m