St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-03-30
r1ILD MURDERERS.

and is YEARLY tramplng across .no
snowy wastes, cold and hungry and con-
stantly hiding from pursuit, only to be
finally caught and taken back.
Liberty is sweet, but the chance OF
ultimate escape is very small, as they
all know, and that they make the es-
cane at all must be due to the fact that
even the terrible privations OF the jour
ney are welcome change from the liv-
ing grave Of the mines.
To discourage attempts at escape the
government has granted the lawful priv
ilege to any one TO shoot them on sight.
The convicts, not knowing friends from
enemies, are obliged to avoid villages
during the day and to have recourse to
highway robbery to satisfy their wants.
Generally speaking these bradlagi are
the worst Of criminals.
One Of the leading characteristics OF
the bradlagi which distinguish them
from other murderers and freebooters is
their complete indifference and absence
of irrigation and passion when commit
ting deed of blood.
But what astonishes one most is the
combination of the most hardened crime
with some religious ideas and also GER
tain degree of humility born of the Sc
we're discipline of hard labor OF the
mines, which produces show OF pity
toward the victim they are destroying
In the most cold blooded manner.
Misfortune-and the bradlagi is one
Of the most unfortunate Of beings
unconsciously turns their thoughts to-
ward religion. In justification of their
crimes they invariably say, 1--WE are
poor sinners, but also most unfortunate,
and therefore God will forgive US all
our sins.
Whenever they see a cross, they al
ways take off their caps and cross
themselves. In conversation they are
very fond of quoting what at first sight
seem Scripture texts, but what in reali'
ty are phrases made by themselves for
their own justification, such as "God
hates the rich ones of this world, ""Sin
committed in perfect humility is no
sin, "If thou must kill man, don't
kill his soul. "
Their peculiar ideas are exemplified
in the following incident. In one OF the
more important villages there lived two
men. q Russian and a Pole, sent there
for some small offeuse. Both being SHOE
makers, they entered into partnership
and tried to gain decent living.
One day they went some 20 versts
from the village on an excursion, and
coming to few struggling bushes they
separated and began to gather little
pieces of wood.
As i'll luck would have it, party Of
10 tramps just then passed. Perceivint
the Pole alone, they surrounded him IL
an instant. The Russian, who was bu
O few PAGES off, hid in the bushes ant
witnessed what followed.
He could not help his friend, as b
knew that if he showed himself b
would be killed at once.
"Hail, friend" said the tramps, tax
ing off their caps. "Bad luck to yo1
that you have met us, but you see it i
not our fault. Such is the will of God
How much money have you got?"
GIVE rubles, which l will give you
as well as my clothes, if you only spar
my life. "
"Your life is of no use to us, and W
would really like to let you go; but yo
see, dear friend, we have our laws, who
we cannot avoid. If you were to escap
alive, you would report US to the pc
lice and we might be caught. Therefor
forgive us poor sinners, but die 20
must.
All this conversation passed in sui
dued voice as if in gentle persuasion
The countenances Of the murderers boz
no trace of anger or llerceness.
The Pole tried to soften them wit
his prayers when one of the tramp'
who appeared to be the chief, took hi
kindly by the hand and said in FRIEND
ly tone:
"Good man, don't be a baby and as
for life we cannot give you. You an
we are both the children of one Father
Let US finish this business in brothu
ly fashion. By resisting you will onl
suffer more. Choose which death yc
prefer - the knife or stick or rive
which is very Deep or perhaps yC
would prefer to kill yourself. We wi
even allow that.
81 will not willingly take my ov
life," he said. "God has given it
me, and will not assail it. Kill Il
with your sticks, but pray kill me
once"
"Be quite assured. We have had
great deal of practice, and you WOE
ieel anything
"And now let me pray"
He knelt down and prayed. When
had finished, he looked at his murd'
ers, standing silently round him,
care you readyy" asked the chief.
"Ready," he answered in low volt
1t was his last word A few bio
with strong stick on the tenn
stretched him senseess on the groul
The tramps then stripped the corp
tied stone to the neck and threw
into the river.
They then expressed to one anotl
their regret at being obliged to
him, praised his good qualities G
went away. Pearson Weekly.
Z. r-I - .-----. L. 4.