The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-27

band the world could offer And
she found this husband. although not
In the manner In which she and others OF
her kind expect to meet their future mates
She was couried by dashlng young oift-
Ger OF the Imperial Dragons. one OF those
butterflies with golden epaulettes and sill
yer spurs, whose name is not 1T to be
saved from oblivion. He betrayed the girl.
and then went away to another garrison
without having previously led Anna Pa
trowna to the altar. But he did not go so
far that his forsaken victim could not fol-
low him. She found the faithless officer
one day in one OF the main streets OF the
cars residence, and right then and there.
in broad daylight and in the midst OF the
people thronging the avenue. she sent a re-
volver bullet into the breast that haTbored
the treacherous heart
Poisonous weeds have tenacious lives.
So the officer had He recovered: a circum-
stance which caused a mitigation OF the
sentence inflicted upon Anna Petrowna.
She was let of easily by being condemned
to receive 100 lashes with the fearful Rus
sian knout upon her barred back II her
shot had killed the officer she would have
received 100 lashes.
Whoever. in the holy land on the volga,
has been punished with the knout has
ceased to be human being fit 10 live IN
European Russia. II the victims do not.
while being treated by the knout stray on
into the realms Of the spiritual beyond.
they are sent to tie earthly beyond. east
OF the Ural mountains into Northern Asia,
better known as Siberia, where they enjoy
their beautiful earthly existence as best
and as long as they can.
Anna Petrowna was informed by the
court that, in the problematieal case Of her
soul surviving the 100 lashes upon her beau
tiful but fragile body. she would be exiled
to the pleasant town Of Kopaj. there TO
spend the rest Of her life. She would be
permitted to get married there, as the
place contained an abundance OF men.
such as they were.
The pleasant town Of Kopal is fort
built upon a picturesque hilltop In Middle
Siberia, where it enjoys such fine. COM
handing view that half a dozen cannon
can sweep a whole herd of hostile Kir
gisian Tartars from the earth. no matter
from which side they might approach the
fort. The place and the surrounding coun-
try has other advantages. For ten miles
around Kopal there is no tree. brush or
shrub. and one can travel on swift camel
for three days through the surrounding
desert without finding anv drinking water.
The next neighbor to Kopai is one Of
Russias Tartar allies, Sultan Emriss Of
karakalb. His wife is q very intelligent
woman. She manufactures with her own
sultanic hands the dresses for her children
by dipping the latter into bath made OF
tough red clay and water. After the i'm
mersion the clay coating is allowed to dry
upon the little bodies. thus protecting
them against the bites Of mosquitoes and
other prevailing Insects. The sultan HIM
self wears a complete suit Of clothing only
In the winter, while in the summer he is
contented TO garb his lower half with
pair of trousers, while decorating his up
per parts with the Russian Order Of st.
Vladimir, Of which he Is knight, which
means a Russian vassal.
In Fort Kopal live. besides the Russian
commander. only his soldiers and their
wives and the abjectly submissive Kir-
gisian servants. Twice a year a detach-
rlent of Cossacks comes from Fort Jekat-
erin and brings to the inhabitants OF Ko-
pal -four, brandy and other life-preserving
supplies. also the mail. so that they are
not entirely separated from the world.
To this beautiful country Anna Petrowna
was TO be sent, bu. not until she had re-
ceived her 100 lashes with the knout for
Kopal Is too pleasant place for anybody
TO be sent there without having TO pay
highly for the pleasure. Especially to a
woman the admission to Kopai Is made
difficult. She might not only die under the
knout; but when the exAcutIoner would
publicly tear her dress and chenise from
her back and shoulders and order a Cos
her upon his own back. so as TO render her
powerless to resist and put her In the best
position 10 receive her iashes, believe that
even under these preliminary proceedings
a woman might die.
Anna Petrowna. brave Anna Petrowna,
when she faced this part Of her punish
ment fell upon her knees, covered her face
with both hands and trembled with agon-
izing fear. But when the executioner with
ora hn IN u " in
stead Of dress. covered her breast and
shoulders and tried 10 tear II away. she
screamed as X a red-hot iron had touched
her.
The exeeutioner called on Tarhoga, one
OF the Cossacks who were present as
guards for assistance, and told him TO seize
the girls hands but TO beware lest she bite
him. for Anna was defending herself with
all her little strength and fingernails
aeainst being undressed.
The obedient Coesack caught Anna Pc
trowna's soft little hands IN his own big
iron fists, that she could not move. She
did not try IT either. nor did she bite: but
with her large eyes wide open she looked
the soldier in the face. And in that look
there shone forth the same irresistible
charm that tames the widest hearts; yet
Il a $50 expressed an excruciating pain. and
spoke such a feryid though mute prayer
that the hardened soul OF the british Cos
sack softened under the burning glance Of
the maisen's eyes. Ard when the execu-
toner again grasped at the shawl cover
!rg the girl, who was lying on her knees.
rnotionless. as II in a trance. Tarboga
cried:
DO not touch her' I take half OF her
punishment upon myself
with what right. my sonny?" asked the
executioner.
Ana then the Cossack quietly said;
with the right obtain when I declare
myself willing 10 marry her. You know
that the law allows the husband or bride
groom 80 bear the whole or part q the pun
ishmen; due his wife or bride"
Very true" admitted the execut.oner.
Hurry up then ard get yourself ready;
you shalt feel sore and sorry for H.
Tarboga undreSSed down to the belt: his
hands were tied together and fastened high
III on post. while 20 his feet vas at
.achea a 34-pourd cannon bali The exc
cuticner vas FRI rage. With both hands
ne swung hIs knoui. bringing Ii down with
fail force. ard asked at every LASH IN
hooking tones: How now, sonny? Are
YOU vfiii in love WITH the pretty girl DO
YOU stlil want beauty for a WIFE, Do
~N tr,s- -