Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-20

crossed the Urai mountains. The pref
test parts were passed in the dark. but
we had several pleasant views I'm the AZ
ternoon We were both disappointed,
however, I'm the height of the mountains.
Those that we saw did not look bit
higher than the hills I'm Western Penn
sylvania. and we were reminded OF that
district during the entire crossing.
Robb's disappointment in the scenery
was somewhat compensated by bis lucky
purchase OF an "Alexandrite'-a stone,
which is found only In the Urals. and
very fine specimen. | was told 10 was
worth more than an equally genuine
diamond. This one cost but $40. but Robb
assured me that II would bring two or
three times that amount In New York.
by daylight II was light green. and az
night pinkish red. One "Alexandrite"
that heard of cost $4,000.
We were much surprised 10 learn that
the Trails are not the boundary line be-
tween Russia and Asia. We had been
taught I'm our Biographies that they
were. and fancy that the majority OF
people think So but the Russians do
not accept them as such. The real line
is several hours Journey beyond I'm the
steppes. and we did not cross II until
about noon OF the fourth day. The 81
belian railway however, begins at Chel-
iafirsk "A little town on the European
side. and here we had TO change cars
and wait until the train for the east was
made up. II was early in the morning
when we arrived. and everybody was
pretty sleepy and cross. Robb and
passed around among the queer-looking
people on the platform and In the walt
ing-room until II was time TO start Tho
peasant emigrants, I'm their great sheep
skin coats, interested us the most. They
were on their way to Tiumon, town
farther north whence they are distri-
huted over the country in different d.
rections. About 10000 have gone 10 81
IBERIA from European Russia during the
last few years. and scores are crossing
the line every week Thanks TO the rail-
way, Siberia has become veritsDle El-
dorado and every one who can scrape
UP the spare cash Is Fastening To ex-
pore it's riches. only about fifth of the
peasants who have immigrated up to
date have failed TO gain foothold.
student tried to persuade me that thefc
is a great deal OF suffering among them,
that hundreds of the children die on the
way. but | cannot affirm this by per-
sonal observation. At krNoschekvo, on
the River Obi, | saw about hundred
peasants who were sleeping out ip the
frosty fields for lack Of accommodation.
|
I'm fact, they looked happier than the
hrst-class passengers IN the stuffy walt
| ing-room. The student promised TO send
me facts which would prove the horri-
| BILE stories he told me, but so TAR, ana
there has been plenty OF time, they nave
not been forthcoming.
! We were also armsed with the Indian
! like Kirghiz who gathered tOsether III
little crowds. Jabbering their qieer dia~
lect We saw some Of their tents aftef-
wards. near Omsk, and were Impressed
with what a free life they leao. Ihey can
go where they please. and. are eNempteh
! from all military service. privilege
| which Is permitted 80 but very few IN
! Russia They looked to me very much
/ ike our North American Indians ana
/ seeing them in their tents on the s1eppes
J almost makes one believe that he - IN
! the far West Indeed, this was our nrs'
! impression OF nearly everything, as We
waited at Cheliabnsk. Could we haVo
/ shut our eyes 10 few Russian cnurcn.S
| and the hoops over the Decks OF the CAD
/ horse lined 10 near the platform, and our
! ears TO the weird language. we might nave
been In some new settlement In Nebraska,
as far as the rest was concerned. rhe
skv atmosphere, and lay OF the land were
o,octlv the same and what with lnnlans,
emigrants. and all the feel OF DELICIOUS
new country life, IT was hard to believe
that we were on the border line or 81
IBERIA. r..
The tourney from there on to Tomsk
took US three days The train cniy fnane
( sixteen miles an hour, and there were
frequent delays. ] was much interes,su
in the explanation OF an engineer VINO
travelled with us, as 10 why we went so
SLOWLY. AS far as the road - con-
cerned" he said. I'VE could make thirty
miles an hour. but we can't trust some
| OF the workmen along the line. Many or
| the switchmen are ignorant iello"s' VINO
| don't appreciate In the least the respon-
| sibilIty OF their position. They nave no
realization Of the danger In wnich they
| might possibly put the passengers, ana "
| an accident happened they would only
think about the fine or Imprisonment 70
| follow Consequently we have 70 feel
onr wav as IL were, until the men arc
| bettor trained" This lack OF any sense
| ~ responsibility was a striking feature
| ~ the siberian peasants wherever We
| met them. They looked as meek az Moses,
| and patient az Job. and / have never seen
7 euch strong men--abnormally strong they
seemed sonetimes-but not one OF them
| struck me as trustworthy IN matters
! where good judgment Is necessary.
have a feeling however that when once
| they are awakened. as they surely must
| he in the course OF time. they viii develop
more rapidly than their prototypes IN
| Russia proper. There h freedom IN
| tbeir manners and speech that one does
| NOT find on this side OF the Crais. ana
| they seemed more eager TO ask Questions
| and TO learn.
| The railway has already wrought
| change in their ideas, and we found that
! the peasants at the station could drive
| much better bargain than those away
| from Il. They appeared at nearly every
place we stopped TO sell US their milk.
| bread. and melons. and II what the pass
engers on our train purchased OF them Is
a fair SO nple OF the trade they drive they
must do pretty we'll. Some OF the water
melons they gold us were the best ever
had In my life. and they seldom cost over
| cents apiece.