Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-09-08
CHAPTER ".

THE SENTESCE-SAKHALIS!
An arrest such as that described was too
much OF an everyday event in st. Peters
burg to cause more than mere passing
surprise to those who had no direct inter-
est in the prisoners. For some time the
air had been full ofrumors OF Ilots against
the Gar, and whenever that was the case
suspicion like an epidemic. seized upon the
official mind. and no man could be sure
that his liberty was safe for twenty-iour
hours. All the Moshks party who had
been arrested were Jews, and when the
news spread through the city feeling of
bitter anger manifested itself among the
tit is owing to these accused Jew that
we are brought under suspicion. They are
the disturbing elements in our Holy Rus
STA, and they should be driven forth and
exterminatsd.'
Such expressions as these served to show
the bent of mems minds. All sense OF
right and justice was forgotten in the race
hatred which is SO powerful throughout
the Cars domains. No one who was not
Jew aused to ask himself whether
there was any ground for the suspicion
harbored against the unfortunate prison.
ers. To be Jew was in itsel a crime ac-
cording to the doctrine OF the Russian
Christians.
When the news reached the village OF
Tsarskoe .Selo Rachel threw up her hands
to S; the DOR Aaron at once decided to re-:
turn with his family to ST. Petersburg, and
use every influence he could bring to bear
in order to effect the release of Moshka
When he sough, for information, he found
that the charge formulated against the
prisoners was that of conspiracy against
the peace and happiness ofthe Car and
his realm" and it was stated that
in the houses ofsome of the party revolu-
tionary documents had been found.
Arama knew that, ii this were true
Moshka, though as innocent as new
born babe would suffer from the mere
fact that he had associated with the con-
spirators. however unconscious he might
have been of their doincs. Nevertheless,
Arana put forth every effort, but his hopes
sank and his heart grew cold as it was i'm
pressed upon him that Peter Alexieit-'the
Jew hater," as he was called was gloatlnS
over 1.-The haul he had made
There was mourning and wailinS in the
house OF Arama during the dread weeks OF
suspense tnat followed the arrest. Rae hel
was Frustrated. Communication with her
lover was out OF the question. and it was
impossible even to ascertain where he was
incareerated. AS in the days Of the old
Bastille in France when person was ar
he suddenly disappeared from the
world, perhaps never to be heard Of again,
so in Russia at the present day.
A suspected person disappears; il there
is strong proof against him, he Will III due
time be brought to trial. and finally exc
cuted or ban!shed to Siberia; but in the
absence Of such proof he will still be de-
tanned until hope deferred has crushed his
spirit. and his chains have eaten into his
flesh and cankered his bones.
AS the time wore on Aaron lost hope,
although he did not tell his daughter So.
But such information as came to him ley
no doub, in his mind that MoShka would
be bani>hed. however guiltless he might
be. He learned at last that there was 70 pc
q sem lance OF q public trial. for the Cor
eminent did not want il 70 be said that
they had dealt with their Jewish r!soners
in secret manner. And when the morn
ing OF tie trial came he said 20 Rachel:
'.Dau.hter arise and come with me.
And let your tongue be 81 silent as rock
though Your heart bursts with speech. On
the arriving out of this injunction much
depends.
Then Rachel arose and went 10 her
father. The beauty OF her lace wa:
touched with inct:ab.e sadness. and
her eyes were red with the tears that
for many days lad 1lowed there. He
clothed her il 3 cloak that concealed her
dark treSSeS and her lace so that no man
could look upon her. and taking her hand.
he led her :orth 10 the court where the
trial o her lover was 10 take place. Pres.
emily she >aw him brought in and ranged
befo. e his judges. He was pale and hag'
gard, and there We're chains upon his hand:
and his feet. She could have cried out with
great cry OF passionate sorrow, for be!
heart wa, truly bursting with emotion, pu
her tongue remained dumb even as bel
father commanded that it should be.
The indictment was long one.
harged the pr isoner with having consort
al Il oil rar
sons" with view to '.n1iict bodily harm
upon the great and glorious Gar, and tt
endanger the peace of the Cars realm.
When the reading of this document wa
ended Moshka was asked how he pleaded
and in q voice that was weakened by tn,
suffering he had endured, and yet witha
clearly and distinctly, he said
II p.ead utterly -guiltle<s; and in tn
name OF the God Of Isaac and the 600 Q
jacob. I vow that l have ever been loyal
loving, and dutitul subject of the aii-Wls
and intelligent greatness, the Gar OF
mighty realm.
This speech was denounced by the prose
cutor as inlpious. and he demanded tina
the trial should proceed. Then came al
army OF witnesses. who swore by their con
scier ce and their faith that they knew tn
prisoner for dangerous conspirator. an
that he and his people were ieagued to
gether against the peace and happiness G
the Little Father. the Gar.
When this perjury was uttered murmu
of anger and Indignation ran through IN
crowded court, and some of the spectator
cried out
Down with the Jews"
Rachel still entirely concealed by he
cloak, moved uneasily in her seat, and
sob had we'll nigh burst rom her lips. BIZ
Aaron sat motionless as if he had bee
made of marble, though his line eyes an
noble face bore testimony to the storm
indignation that was working within him
And so the trial proceeded until IT " u
past high noon. and ever and anon II
spectators muttered threats against II
with the accused Jews." and no one col
nected with the court made any attempt
suppress these demonstrations OF publ
feeling.
dnmb. though her heart shivered with
passion OF sorrow, and her eyes were har
Il ever removed from the sad, pale a.
cshsr husband elect. And she saw hi
iaof round often. Is though he song
eomsons who would bid him nope, ~
-. In~1, Sss1f him.