Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-12-31
81 Oh WORRk
Of every description, plain or color
ed, promptly done st lowest
prices.
POSTERS,
PAMPHLETS,
siLLHEADs,
CIRCULARS,
LETTERHEADs
SALE BILLS, 90.
"Neatness taste and despatch," is
our motto. Call ans ascet. ali ra IS.

4
loaf of bread. Whenever fresh
dish vas served DONNA rose and
placed one 81 he incest portions on
| this table,
Ny curiosity was excited, and /
asked the moujik,"
Is any beloved guest absent
from the banket? Or is any men,
Der Of your family ill?"
No one answered, AID all eyes
turnsd toward our host with such
embarrassment that was disooncert-
ed. But the latter, without hesita-
ton, answered graysly -
"This bread, drink and lamp stand
readsAve-y day in Christian house
holds for those ,cho must not be
seem"
And the company continued to
drink vodka and sing our national
songs
had not clearly understood the
moujik's answer. So, taking advan-
tase of time, in the increasing ex-
hilaration caused by the liquor, l was
not noticed, l said TO my neighbor,
Dounia -
Who are those who must not be
seen?'
"The 6rodiadii,-replied the
young girl, putting her finger on her
lips. The fugitives"
"True, had not thought OF it.
The village of Ultima is enc of the
first on the road from Niertchinsk,
the location or the Cara mines where
the conyicts work. AS this is the
most cruel prison of all, hundreds
make their escape every year. OF
course they prefer to travel in the
spring. But people cannot always
choose time to run away. They
must seize the opportunity when it
comes. Ifthis happens to be in the
winter, they cannot attempt to reach
Europe at once, but endsavor to 90
a hundred leagues away, and 20 OBJ
tain food and shelter, seek employ
ment from peasants. Besides, from
the depths of Siberia to the Ural,
the 6rodiadji are forced to subsist
solely upon aims, even il they had
money, the inns would not be safe
for them. They travel at night alone
sure Of finding along the way the
lighted window which they need on
ly push open to find the leaf and jug
placed for them. People help them
because it 10 Gods will which has
opened the door of escape. But
they do not wish to see them, that
they may not be tempted to de-
nounce them to the soldiers who are
in pursuit"
While the youhg girl was giving
me these particulars in an undsrtons
a light tap on the panes behind Us
made us start suddenly. Instantly,
as il by magic, the songs of the rev
ellers ceased and all eyss turned
toward the little window, which
pushed from the outside, half open
ed. At the same moment q voice
coming from the snow and darkness
sold distinctly )"
May God be with you"
And With yoa," the usujik an
swered. He rose, but without leav-
| ing his place, and added:
"Wc expected you. Your share
10 served.n
"The sound of footsteps echoed
on the snow, then the window
crsaked, spsned little wider, snA
hand appeared, CROPPED sbont an in.
slant, seized the loaf and vanished
eve had oil risen, like our host.
No one spoke. The grandfather
| still continued his senils laughter"
"The hand again appeared and
graspsd the jug"
"Take it with you" said the mou-
jik. without turning his head. "It's
Christmas eve. What more do You
want2"
spray for me, " said the voice.
eve heard the long drawn sigh
ofa man who is dnnkisg eagerly,
and then the sounds Of footsteps re-
treating across the SHOW"
Constantin paused, and sat Eaaiag
into vacancy with his eyes bent up
on those distant lamps Of the mou-
jiks which. from the depths OF Asia
to the plains Of Europe. shine amid
the darkness OF the Siberian night
illuminating the path OF those who
"must not be seen"