The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-05

the pines. The migratory bieds have left
long ago. and flocks OF ravens croakino
with JOY fly through the air. rejoicing at
the return of winter. This is the moment
when all nature seems to SILVER with horro.
At tho approach of the terrible cold OF
these regions. The earth itself cracks and
opens az If ready to furnish shelter to those
whom it has nourished during the summer,
telling them in the poets worms: II shall
soon be covered with snow; you will out off
from me and I shall not be able to do any
thing for you. Gomez
On the Goth of September, 1866, two post
chalsss, following one another, and escorted
by foul Cossacks, had just descended the
last Ural mountain and drove now along
the great post route leading to Irkutsk. It
was very cold, the earth was very hard, the
inequalities in the road jolted the vehicles
fearfully and caused unspsakable sufferines
to the unfortunate travellers.
An imperial courier was seated in the
first carriage by the side of an old man
with a long white beard and haggard. lean
features. At every jolt the officer uttered
an energetic curse, which the old man, i'm
passive, accompanied with his stereotyped
smile. He was as straight as the pines in
the forest which they were just crossing,
and while the courier hurt himself at every
blowing like q whale. he, insensible and
disdainful, only balanced himself with a
regular, Rlmost automatic motion.
A more violent jolt than they had vet
experienced threw the unfortunate imperial
officer upon his companion and the officer
chung to the old man 3 fur swearing like a
man who is possessed.
"Yon must collect your whole strength
and hold yourself straight, then lean upon
the handrail of the vehicle with both arms,
az You see me DOING, was the gentle re-
mark of the old man. That is the only
come everything in this world. my friend,
except" 80
The courier, who had gradually recovered
his equilibrium, answered.:
"Oh you'll You are made of iron!"s 81
"Would to God I were. I should not
think then and would not suffer-
II beg yonr excellency's pardon" said
the man. II could not help holding onto
you"
'Great Godr' said the old man YEARLY,
what Dc you treat all your
criminals with so much formality?,
But q parsonage such as you arer' said
the courier with Il cunning smile.
who told you l was u ~personage?" re-
Piled the old man angrily. "and why do you
treat me thus? This title of excellency
WAAOA you LAVISH upon Ill., dHu WHICH QO6S
not belong to me, hurts me. How often
must tell you l am a criminal like all the
otheYs?"
The courier made no answer. Come"
continued the other, ''why do you not an
swer me? Whence comes this Difference,
great personage?"
"The recommendations which I nave re-
cieved." replied the officer dumbfounded.
II have been ordered to treat you with re-
spect."
Yes, that is what 1 complain of. They
will not even let me expiate-and l who
dreamed that equality could exist among
men? Where is it to be found?"
lie bowed his head and reflected deeply.
In the next vehicle, which was occupied by
n'man with a mutilated face and by his side
a sergeant of the corps of imperial couriers.
there was not quite SO much ceremony OBJ
served. At every jolt prisoner and guard
almost embraced each other, making grim
faces, and the four mounted cossacks who
escorted the two carriages. gave them oaths
and dirty words to hear, which they did not
dare address to the traveller in the first
vehicle.
1t need not be said that these cossacks
were cscorting Muller and Dakouss to
1rkutsk.
All of n sudden a great NOISE arose in the
forest through which the travellers were
passing and some twenty armed men posted
themselves across the road, taking aim ut
the Cossacks.
Halt! stop!'' cried a man of large size.
h seemed to command the others.
The Positions obeyed and trembled.
"The robbers!n' they murmured.
The Co,sacks prepared to raise their car
bines. which they wore in q shoulder belt,
but the chief of the band called out to
them:
NAL a motion and you are dead men,"
The Cossacks understood that resistance
vla r. "a ,rA
dropped their carbines. The officer. dumb |
founded by this sudden and unheard of |
attack turned to his companion and asked
him:
what can this meant? Do you know?'
"Yes, but be not afraid. Nothing will be |
done to you."
In the meantime the leader of the aggres-
sors said to the Cossaoks: Throw away
your oarbinea"
The Cossacks obeyed. swell, now, .ou
can co."
There was nc use disputing; twenty rifles
were pointed at them. The Cossacks
bride and were about to flee at full
speed, ,
'Slcwly!' commanded the man. "Walk
|yorr horses! As.long as you see us on the
|horizoa none OF you will hasten his steps, or
lit will lost his lite!'
The rwo c~ouriers, the officer and non.
commissioned man trembled with fright.
The sadsmile, habitual to the old mans
Hips, hal not left him a the
man wit, the disfgured face got up in the
carriage.
Get ott!' cried the head of the robbers
to the s%eIseant, "and turn your face to the
forest. Iiyou obey us nothing will be lone
Ito you."
The noicommissioned courier jumped
down fromhis vehicle and threw himself
|faoe downNrd on the ground. ".Weln"
sand the leaer. smiling. now 1t ia ypur
turnw and , looked at the officer. He
prepared to ssist and said: 'You may kill
me, but / shN not fail to do nv outy. NV
orders are
obey" sal the old man in a low voice.
II swear to "a your honor shall suffer no
HARM and az the man stir hesitated he
added: II RivSou my word of honor that
nothing shall 'Rppen to you. They want
me to escape. swear to you l will not do
it,"
Come" crieehe chief of the robbers.
will You have pne soon? Attention, my
him down"
obey him. l Ryw
"You give me iur word of honor that