The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-03

The boys suffered much from the chill
Ing rains and cold winds that came
with the early autumn, and many a
weary mile they marched with dripping
garments Tapping about their aching
limbs.
ltwas on crisp, cool September even
ing that lrkutsk was reached, and the
sun was setting lightly on the white
walls and golden comes of this power
full capital Of eastern Siberia when the
boys crossed the river on pendulum
ferryboat and entered the streets of the
city.
The party now numbered scarcely 100.
Many had died on the way, and many
had been left at different points on the
route.
Those remaining were either political
prisoners or belonged to the most des-
perate grade Of criminals.
To reach the prison the party were
compelled to cross section of the city,
and the boys We're amazed to see the
broad, well paved streets, the imposing
buildings, the shop windows filled with
people who occupied the sidewalks.
1T seems like DREAM observed
Maurice to his companion. 81 cannot
believe that we are in Siberia. How like
an American city this is, Phil, and how
long it seems since we left home," he
added sadly. Phil made no reply. He
raised his sleeve and brushed away the
xr nt cl, Il Ii l.,
cheeks
The mournful procession moved ON
rapidly, attracting but little attention
from the people.
The central portion of the city was
soon left behind, and they entered ii
more squalid nei2hborhood. with dark,
narrow streets and gloomy, dingy
houses. The sidewalks now appeared to
be more crowded, and from the attitude
of the people it seemed rs though some
thing unusual Were going on.
Multitudes Of peasants in red silk
and black velvet trousers surged to and
fro, singing and shouting, either from
excitement or intoxication, probably
the latter, for on every street corner
was IA peddler's stall, where the fiery
vodka was being sold by the glass or
the bottle.
cts "a holiday of some kind, whis-
pered Maurice; 1.-THE shops are all closed
and the people are dressed up in their
best. "
At that moment the exiles were halt
ed in a small square, surrounded by IN
usually s9ualid houses, and instantly
an eager and curious crowd had hem
med them in. They were pressed against
the soldiers, who tried i'll vain to drive
them back on the sidewalk.
A commotion was now heard in front
and, mingled with the shouts of the peo-
pie, the boys could distinguish rude mu-
sic and hollow beating of drums. An
officer galloped along the line, shouting
fiercely: "Drive the scoundrels from
the square. Force your way through
with swords and bayonetsP
The Cossacks made an immediate at
tempt to obey this order, for the column
pushed forward few yards, only TO
come to dead halt again between the
surging crowds.
The boys were near the front Of the
column, and, looking over the heads Of
their companions, they could see gold
an image mounted on a pole and strange
looking banners damned i'll among the
people. "This is a religious festival of
some kind" said Maurice, land those
stupid Cossacks have blundered right
| into it on their way to the prison.
From tho crowding and pushing 60
ing Oh in front it looked as though the
mob We're disputing the passage OF the
prisoners.
The cutlery was loud and violent, and
| the commands Of the officers with diff
| Guilty reached the ears of their men.
A close watch was kept on the con-
| 7icts, and the soldiers threatened with
sword and bayonet the excited mob who
pressed against them.
Amid all this tumult the convicts
maintained the same sullen demeanor,
some gazing stupidity Oh the ground,
others carelessly scanning the faces OF
the people.
Directly behind Maurice and Phil
stood "a middle aged man, with light
beard and mustache. He had accompa-
MED the party from Tomsk, and his
name was Paul Platoff. This was all
that the boys knew concerning him, for,
| although his refined appearance had
| tempted them on more than one occasion
to make his acquaintance, the recollec-
ton of their previous experience always
| checked them in the act. Turning hall
round, Maurice saw that this Platoh
was gazing into the crowd, with an ex
| preston of intense excitement on his
| features. Had he recognized some
friend or acquaintance among the PEG
! pie, or was he meditating sudden es
cape, basing his hopes ON the hostile at
titude displayed toward the soldiers
and the murmurs of pity for the fetter
ed convicts?
As these thoughts passed through
Maurice's mind the command to marcel
was Numbered out by the officer. ant
the head of the line began to straggl'
through the now sundered ranks OF TIT
procession.
AS the men in front of him began T.
| Nf..,,oo t,,rnol for anOf bpr lOpl