The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-12
ESCAPING FROM SIBERIA.
Hapless Convicts are Secretly Hclpep
by Kind Villagers.


Those subjects Of the tsar who are sent
TO Siberian prisons for a real or fancied
cnense against the solcai laws or the
political DEGREES of the power that Is,
know that they will be treated harshly;
but in no part of the dreary country is
Imprisonment SO cruel as in the Kara
prison. where the cOnyicts work In the
mines.
Attempts to escape are common oc-
currence all over the country. but the
number of convicts who make dash for
liberty from the Kara mines IS far great
er than from any other prison.
The miserable creatures who endeavor
70 elude the iron grasp OF the tsar's OFF,
cials prefer the spring for their attempt
There is more chance OF reaching the
outer world. Of crossing the many miles
of desolate territory that separate them
from a place Of safety, in the early
months of the year: but they cannot al
WAYS choose their own time, and IN the
very depths of the Siberian winter the
desperate men make the struggle Tor
freedom. preferring the rigors OF night
tramping in the coolest season 70 the
miseries OF the prison.
How do these men find their way
How DO they live?
They know the direction TN which SAFE
~ lies. and they tramp onward until they
reach some spot where they are safe
That spot may be far away from the
town az which they imagined they would
arrive: but what OF that2 They are free,
that IL the all-impOrtant matter.
Yet there is some guide for them
along the first hundred miles or so; Tor
in the night when all Is still and the
peasants IN the scattered villages are
sleeping the refugees heart IS gladdened
I'm his dark and solitary journey by tho
friendly CLEAN OF lamps in the cottage
windows. From the depths OF Asia 10 the
borders OF Europe. almost. at least ono
window in every village IS Illuminated
by a lamp. placed there for the benefit
OF those who must not be seem
For the mouiiks have pity on them ana
help them. The escaped convicts cannot
travel bv day. lest they be denounced
TO the guards who are searching for
them. They have 10 find sustenance
where they may: money IS useless TO
them, as they dare not openly enter
tavern or indeed any other place In order
10 buy food or 10 beg for II, even. The
peasants dare not openly receive or help
them. and the chance OF success would
be very small but for the device or the
moujik.
il YOU enter the house Of peasant IN
the vicinity. say OF Irkuask, and partake
OF a meal. you will notice in the window
a little table on which stands lamp,
n plate and jug. When the meal COM
mences. one of the family places por-
ton of the food on the plate; quite
choice morsel Is selected and you fancy
that another and more important guest
Is expected. 4 piece of everything IS
set on the plate and the jug IS filled with
kyas. You begin to feel rather small
When you entered you were tSated IKE
a nobleman. but evidently you are not
the chief guest.
However, the guest does not come and
more mystifed than ever, you seek an
opportunity Of asking the meaning OF the
strange preparations.
who Is IL all for?" you ask.
"For the brodiaj; for those who must
not be seen' " is the reply.
Yes. those deicacics are for the con
victs When they steaithily creep into
a village at night and see that light they
know that on the same table as the lamp
Is food and drink. They have only TO
push the window and II opens, so tnat
they make take the plate and jug ami
refresh exhausted nature.
The moujik does not wish 10 see them;
IL Is better not. When he sees tho empty
plate and jug in the morning ne IS
pleased, for ne knows that he has helped
some poor creature In his effort 10 es-
cape from cruelty and a living death and
get back to life and human sympathles.-
pearson's Weekly.