The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-18
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= -. god Jees the Truth. i
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Victs We're taken to their work.
fou Just keep quiet. old man. and ri.
lead you out, too. But Ii you blab / SHAH
get whipped 10 death and al not let YOU
on, In kill YOU"
When Akscnov looked al his enemy he
trsnbled all over with anger. pulled his
hand away ana said, 81 have no reason
TO get out and YOU have 10 reason to
XIII Inc. You Killed me long ago. AS To
teillns them about you, ] may do IL or
may not do IL, as God will direct me-"
Inc next day when the cOnvicts wcre
led out tc so to their work one OF them
was noticed by the soldiers cmptyiug
earth out OF his boots The prison was
searched and a hole found. The prison in-
spcctor came and began asking everybody
"ho 10 was hat had dug the hole. Every
one denied having any knowledge OF II.
Those who knew did not bctray Makar
Semenovitch, knowing he would be whip
pa almost 10 death Tor it, Then the in
spector turned TO Aksenov, whom no
knew 10 he just man.
You are "A truthful old man he said.
Tell me before God who has dug tho
hole?"
Makar semenovitch stood looking quite
unconcerned, with his eyes turned to-
ward the inspector and did not look
round al Aksenov. Aksenovs lips and
hands trcmbled. and for a long time no
could not utter a word. he thought,
shall { screen him? Bat why should l..
since he has ruined me? Let him pay for
my sunerings And yet. II I tell. it IS
quite true. they may whip him TO death.
And suppose I suspect him unjustly? be-
sides, what good would It do me2"
well, old man." said the inspector,
tell us the truth: Whs is it that has
been digging under the wall?"
Aksenov looked at Makar Ssmenovitch
and said. II can't say your honor. God
xssf1I I..t
with me- the power is IN your hands"
However much the inspector tried. Akse-
nov would say no more. and so it was not
found out who had Gug the hole under
the wall.
That night when Aksenov had gone To
bed, just as he was beginning 70 dose no
heard some one come up and sit down
on his bed. lie peered through the dark
ness and recognized Makar.
hat do YOU want with me?" asked
AAsenov. What are you doing here?'
Makar Semenovitch was silent.
Aksenov sat up and said. What do YOU
want? Go away or I'll call a soldier
Makar Semenovitch bent close over Ak
senov and whispered: Ivan Dmitrievitch
forgive me"
What for?" asked sAksenov.
81 killed the merchant and hid the
knife among your things ! meant to kill
you. too, but heard a noise outside. SO
showed the knife in your bag and jumped
out OF the window.
Aksenov was silent and did not know
wLat 10 say. Makar Semenovitch got or
toh bed and said. bowing to the ground,
Ivan Dmitrievitch. forgive me. For tho
love Of God. forgive me. | will confess
that | killed the merchant and YOU Will
be forgiven and will go home"
''It is easy for YOU to talk, but what
! have ] had 10 bear?' said Aksenov.
"Where am TO so now? My wife is
dead. my childrea have forgotten me. I
J have nowhere to go to-
| Makar Semenovitch did not rise but
beat HIS head against the floor and cried:
Ivan Dmi;rievltch. forgive rne.The whip
was not so hard 10 bear when they flog-
ged me. as n is To look at you now. And
you have had pity on me and YOU
ala not tell For the love OF Christ
forgive me. cursed fiend that i am"
and he began to sob.
When Aksenov heard him sobbing he
too began to weep and said: God will
forgive eou. Maybe I am hundred
times as bad as you" And suddenly hs
felt his heart grow light. and the longing
for home no longer oppressed him. end
he lad no longer any wish 10 leave the
prison but only longed for his last four
| u come.
Tn spite of what Alssenov said MalS1r
Senenovitch acknowledged his guilt Eut
VIXEN the order for his release came. Ak
senov was already dead.