The Afro-American advance., 1900-05-26

10 man. As an Introduction to the follow
ing reading, II may be stated that Nekhlu-
doff has followed a gang of political pris-
oners and conVicts into Siberia, because
among them is woman called katusha
whom he had once wronged and 10 whom
he would atone. kryltzoff, who tells the
story, is a political prisoner.
nj ENHLUDOFF grew especially fond
IN of Kryltzoff, a consumptive young
man condemned TO hard labor, who was
going with the same gang as Katusha.
Nekhludoff had made his acquaintance
already in Ekaterinburg, and talked
with him several times on the road aft
tr that. Once in summer, Nekhludoff
spent nearly the whole of a day with
him at halting station, and Kryltzotf,
having once started talking, told him
his story and how he had become
revolutionist. Up to the time of his
Imprisonment his story was soon told.
He lost his father, rich landed pro-
prietor in the south of Russia, when
ttill child. He was the only son, and
his mother brought him up. He learned
easily in the university, as well as the
gymnasium, and was first in the math-
ematical faculty in his year. He was
offered a choice of remaining in the
university or going abroad. lie hest
,ated. He loved a girl and was think
ing of marriage, and taking part in the
mral administration. He did not like
iving up either offer, and could not
make up his mind. At this time his fell
ow-students at the university asked
him for money for common cause. He
did not know that this common cause
was revolutionary, which he was not
Interested in at that time, but gave the
money from o sense of comradeship
and vanity, so that il should not be
said that he was afraid. Those who re-
ceived the money were caught, note
was found which proved that the
money had been given by Krytlzoff; he
was arrested, and first kept at the po-
lice station, then imprisoned.
The prison where l was put"
Kryltzoff went on TO relate (he was sit
ting on the high shelf bedstead, his ell
bows on his knees, with sunken chest,
the beautiful, intelligent eyes with
which he looked at Nekhludoff glisten-
ing feverishly)-''they were not special
ly strict in that prison. We managed
TO converse. not only by tapping the
wall, but could walk about the corri-
oors, share our provisions and our to-
bacco, and in the evenings we even
sang in chorus. ! had a fine voice
yes. IN IL had not been for mother il
would have been all right, even pleas
ant and interesting. Here ! made the
acquaintance of the famous Petroff-
he afterward killed himself with
piece of glass at the fortress-and also
Of others. But ! was not vet a reyolu-
nonary. / also became acquainted with
my neighbors in the cells next TO mine.
They were both caught with Polish
proclamations and arrested in the same
cause, and were tried for an attempt
10 escape from the convoy when they
were being taken to the railway sta
lion. One was a Pole, Lozinsky: the
o'her jew, Rozoysky. Yes. Well. this
hozovsky was quite a boy. He said he
Was II, but be looked f5-thin. small,
setive, with black, sparkling eyes. and,
IKE most Jews. very musical. His voice
was still breaking. and vet he sang
oeaniifuliy. Yes. ! saw them both
iaken to be tried. They were taken in
'he morning They returned in the
e'ening. and said they were condemned
10 death. Noone had expected IL. Their
.aSe was so unimportant; they only
med to get away from the convoy and
aaa not even wounded anyone. And
'nfh u was so unnatural TO execute
s0eh a child as RozovSky. And we in
PRISON all came 10 the conclusion that II
vas only done TO frighten them. and
Noaia not be confirmed. At first we
ere excited. and then we comforted
,,lfseives. and life went on as before.
Wen, one evening, watchman
.e''es to my door and nysferionsly an
-anees 70 me that carpenters had ar
20 and we're putting up the gaIIows.
a. - nrsi ] did not understand. What's
sat- What Rallows2 Put the watch
s.ss was so excited that saw at once
- Tor our two. / wished to tap and
7nteate with my comrades. but
- AFRAID those two would hear. The
1fsdss were also silent. Evidently
BODY knew. In the corridors and
-s tells everything was as stigl as