The morning call., 1890-06-29

Ing 10 two ranks. The soldiers had no muskets
number Of cuious people crowded the walls OF
the fortress. The soldiers locked dscOntented.
Their duty to-day was evidently not 10 their
taste. A few steps from the men detachment
of Cossaeks surrounded two chained prisoners,
the former Captain of gendarmes OF lfkuisk and
win his distinction, that The G5apfaia
trembled ike asl en-, while Vladimir bore
hims II with uerfect calmness and resignation.
The unfortunate men were TO ole und the
nagalka. THIS fearful execution, known else
where running the gauntlet, consists In Russia
In the following ceremony: The criminal Is
tightly bound 20 Two muskets al the SPOT where
the bayOuet is bent. Two soldiers seize The mus
kets and with them push their victim forward so
that he must march between the two rows OF
sOders Each one OF these has cane IN his
hand and is bound 10 strike with It the bare
shoulders OF the condemned as soon as he stands
In front OF him. AT every step the latter thus
receives two blows. The slightest sign OF sym.
patty exposes the unfortunate soldier 10 severe
punishment. II never happens that criminal
survives this punishment, as he must needs re-
ceye 5000 blows, even when the companies are
not full Nineteen out Of twenty die long before
The execution Is over.
but Schelm kept them waiting long lime. The
execution had been ordered al o'clock II was
now 10. and the TrYlsor had not appeared yet
THIS long delay caused the unfortunate victims
additional suffering. The Captain was half dead
already, and Vladimir also turned paler and
paler.
The crowd began 10 murmur because their
curiosity remained unsati,fed so long. A repu
sive woman, with disbeveed hair aud In ragged
clothes, appeared on the drawordge. IL was
Caroline, who had fallen into abject poverty be.
cause her property bad been cOntlscdted, and
she had been expelled from her house. Even
the money which she had deposited In bank had
been drawn out by the authorities. She had
hastcned up to witness beI husbands suferings
In her iDeXpcable hatred she looked upon him
also as one OF her mortal enemies.
A muTmuT of Satisfaction passed through the
crowds when at last the reylsor was seen COM
ing. In The city gate appeared carriage drawn
BY four thoroughbred horses; Il small picket Of
Cossacks surrounded the landau In which Schelm
and the Governor of tile city seated. Palkin
rode by their Side; when lie reached The draw
bridge Caroline looked at him hercey and
threatened him with her fists. The Russian
criminal law Furnishes neither acts nor words
which despair ELECTS from klnsmeu OF the cOu-
demDed. Schelm had noticed The W0mdn and
smiled with delight when lie saw that her
threats were directed at Palkn The Colonel
shrugged his shoulders.
day because he has served you loo WELL" cried
Caroline.
sell. If must inquire into thalp'
Palkin had only a contemptuOus smile for
tie woman. The Cossacks moved sideways, so
that the carriage came 10 stand close by the sol
diers. A priest and physician stepped for
ward. Upon sign by Scnelm the Captain
was tied 10 the muskets. He had lost all con-
seriousness, and could not take step OF his own
Will. lie was pushed like log of wood between
the Two rows OF soldiers Scbeim wanted Nladi-
mir TO what awaited him.
According TO regulations the criminal Is TO con-
TESS his sins 10 Tie pope, as Russian priests are
called, aud receive aDsoullon. Tie poor Cap
tain, however, was unable TO utter word. The
pope only saw his tears aud heard his groaniug;
he raised his hand 10 give him absOlutiOn, aud
the delinquent started on his awful journey. The
physician had, however Just handed him small
glass Of cordial; the Captain did not notice IL
and 1t had TO be admins eied To him drop after
drop. Suddenly lie started. his eyes opened
moment. he saw The soldiers with their caues
sod md I'm Sln I'M Ill
Mercy mercy! Captain, you snow"
The words died on his lips as tile first blows
fell on his bare shoulders.
We need not repeat the details OF this awful
ceremony here-sutfce II TO say that before long
The victim no longer felt pain. aud the blows fell
upon ifeesS body.
His corpse was thrown aside, aud Schelm gave
a sign that the same process should be repeay ed
with Vladimir. The revisor leaned back COM
fOrtaDy 10 enjoy the sight.
Vladimir advanced without being pushed.
When he stood before tie pope be said In au-
dible voice:
Father, give me your blessing; die Inno-
CENT?
But before the priest could answer horses were
suddenly heard 10 approach and greal iumull
arose. All eyes were turned III that direction.
troop OF horseme had In a moment surround
ed the Tartar mound and advanced directly upon
Schelnrs cHrtiags.
man in a ed costume rode at their head
The Car OF the exilesI" cried the pope,
monk from the Convent OF ST. George. AT the
sage time some 500 armed men came ont of the
forest aud marched al double quick upon The
place Of execution. All the soldiers, except the
Cossacks, wee unarmed. They were utterly
cOufounded and did not know what to do. The
cutious multitude fed Schelm ordered the car.
riage TO return 10 the city, bur the road was
already the hands OF the horsemen. The re-
visor sank, almost IainIiDg back into the cush-
Ions.
PalkIu alone had not lost bis head He no
sooner saw the SURPRISE Than lie dispatched
Cossaek TO the city to summon assistance. Then
only 1t occurred 10 him that 1t would have been
better II lie had gone himself. Al once he spurred
his horse but it too late, the retreat was cut
of: he looked around aud prepared 10 sell his
life dear
Tie Cossacks surrounded the carriage and ad-
yanced their long lances; the soldiers hung their
beads and made no attempt 10 defend themselves
with their canes. The pope and the physician
sought assistance near the carriage. The Gov
ernor gave all orders, aud Schelm bad lost his
head entirely. Vladimir was sti standing aside
bound 10 the bayonels, and not knowing what TO
dO-tO flee or remain.
Tho Infantry approached In the meantime
nearer and nearer, while the horsemen rode
about as their duly required Schelm held on 10
tile comm1ndant Of the CITY, repeating contn-
uay.
!" What Is to become Of us? General, what is
to become of us ~
When lie heard the clash OF arms lie tainted once
more. The enemy and the COssacks had met and
the Governor drew his sword. No one In the mean