Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-05-26

g.WSS husbands puny. eIyina $50 ID
their chilled bosoms, and dragged on
resolutely. A pitiful sight, truly Men
md women, many OF them reared in
luxury, were now forced to march, day
after day, in the most Indictment weather,
with scant clothing, and only the poorest
food--a black bread made from the
sweepings of mills. Even pebbles and
other refuse formed the greater part of
the ingredients. With this bread they
we're allowed cupful of water. That
was all
One of the convicts. a lad OF seven
teen, whose handsome face was smirched
with blood from wound on his broad
forehead-caused by blow from the
fist of one of the guards-leaned weari-
ly on the ''varnak" on his left to whom
he was chained. The chain depending
from his right hand, and attached to his
foot, seemed unusually heavy, for he
was weak from loss OF blood, but a
kick from the guard nearest him forced
him to make desperate effort to push
on. His glossy black hair fell in mat
ted locks over his brow. Doubtless his
show him some marks of favor, for he
was more warmly clad than his fellow
convicts, and his head had not been
shaver. His face CLEANED pale in the
suns rays, but it aroused no pity in the
hearts of the inhuman guards.
Ivan Smoloff, the youngest convict in
this detachment, was descendant of
the royal family of Poland, now under
the stern despotism OF Russia. He had
attempted, with a small band of fol-
lowers, to defend his country against
the Russian forces, but the courage of
his courtrymen soon weakened, and
after the burning of Warsaw, they gave
up all hope. The Emperor, fearing an
nobleman, ordered his arrest, aud his
exile to Siberia. Hearing this, young
Smolof escaped to Germany, wandering
over the continent for eight weary
weeks, only to be captured at last, and
exiled. No farewell word with mothers
sisters, or sweetheart; no last look at his
old home. Hurried oil like common
elimination defending his country!
~ cannot go further"
These words force themselves to his
lips, and he sinks down dragging his
comradc with him. The guards swear
OF him, kick him, and finally order him
to be stripped and beaten. The womer
shriek with terror, and cover their eyes
but the sounds of the lash ring in thei
ears, and long after tile tortured youth
lips cease to move, they can hear hi
.piteous cries. At last. the quiverin.
flesh is hastily covered with the coars
clothing, and be is chained again, arc
told to move on.
"You have knife on your watch
chain; sever the veins in your wrist, ant
put ON end to your suffering" whisper
the convict on his right
81 cannot" he answers feebly. d"
cannot take my own life."
"Better to be dead than suffer thi
living DEATH" Give me the knife,
will soon put an end to my misery"
Smoloff detaches the tiny knife an
gives it to the half maddened creature
who surreptitiously sewers an artery
his wrist, and bravely bears up, unit
forced to fall from exhaustion. TT
order is given to fire, and all is owe
Another convict is chained to Smolof
and they move on.
Ivan Smoloff envied the dead Eva
nak," and silently prayed for death.
was well-nigh impossible to add "If
be Thy will" There was no escape b,
by death. He had thought of man
ways. Even if he could elude the Wig
lance of the guards, he dared not hope
get out of the country, for the natiy
were paid three roubles head for eve
Isvarnak."
at Tiumen the convicts were crowd
into barge, and carried across the OF
AS they neared Tomolsk. Smololf W
suffering excruclating pain, aud in
frenzied moment twisted the chain whit
bound him to the next "varnak, )" al
ran few PAGES. The cold air blew |
hair from his forehead, and sent Il
young blood coursing through his bod
He was free; if only for one momeu
Running with all the strength he cou
command, he strained his ear to cat
the order to fire.
"One, two, three-fre" Six sht
rang out on the wintry air. Then thr
more despatched at the PROSTATE bod
One guard went up and kicked the sti
CuiDS lOlI OuIiluCu Ou tuc SLOW. 'NIS
about! march," and they were gone.
Night fell and the stars came oft, O
by one, and blinked at the prostrs
figure lying SO still and cold, with t
life-blood crimsoning the snow, a
then beckoned the moon to see the pi
full sight.
Alba Senref, Princess of Arnals, v
considered proud and cold by strange
but they little knew the tenderness
the young Princesss heart. Pledg
from childhood to Ivan Smoloff, OF
son of the royal house of Poland, S
had lavished all her young love on
future lord. When the news of
Punishment reached her, she did i
faint as his mother did. They were
brilliant ball. The order was i
mediately given to drive home. Tho
with pale lips and white, drawn fac
~ Alba snt down beei1e her fire and r.;