Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-12-01


across the rebellious country, surmount
obstacles and brave perils of all sorts,
Michael Strogoff was the man.
A circumstance especially favorable
to the success of his plans was that he
was thoroughly acquainted with the
country which he was about to trav-
erse and understood its different dia-
lects, not only from having travelled
there before, but because he was of
Siberian origin.
When he was fourteen, Michael Stro-
goff had killed his first bear quite
alone. That was nothing. But after
stripping it he dragged the gigantic
animals skin to his fathers house,
many versts distant, thus exhibiting
remarkable strength in boy SO young
Gifted with marvellous acuteness,
when every object was hidden in mist
or even in higher ATTITUDES, where the
polar night is prolonged for many days,
he could tnd his way when others
would have had no idea whittier to d.
rect their steps. He had learned to
read almost imperceptible signs. the
forms Of icicles, the appearance OF the
small branches of trees, mists rising
far away on the horizon, vague sounds
in the air, distant reports, the flight CT
birds through the foggy atmospheric
thousand circumstances which are so
many words to those who can decipher
them. Moreover, tempered by snow
like Damascus blade in the waters of
Syria, he had frame Of iron, as Cen
eral Kissoff had said, and, what was
no less true, heart Of gold.
The only sentiment of love felt by
Michael Strogoff was that which he en-
tertained for his mother, the aged Mar
IA, who could never be induced to leave
the house Of the Strogoffs at Omsk, or
the banks of the Istish, where the old
huntsman and she had lived SO long to-
gether. When her son left her, he
went away with full heart, but prom.
Using to come and see her whenever he
could possibly do so, and this promise
he had always religiously kept.
When Michael was twenty, it was de-
cided that he should enter the personal
service of the emperor Of Russia, in the
hardy, intelligent, jealous, well con.
Quoted young Siberian first distinguish
ed himself especially in journey tc
the Caucasus, through the midst of a
difficult country, ravaged by some rest
less successors of Schamyl; then, later,
in an important mission to Petrepolow-
ski, in Kamchatka, the extreme limit
Nf Acfn lon
Journeys he displayed such marvellous
GOODNESS, prudence and courage as to
gain him the appreciation and protec'
ton of his chief, who rapidly advanced
him in his profession.
The furloughs which were his due
after these distant missions, although
he might be separated from her by
thousands of versts and winter had
rendered the roads almost impossible,
he had never failed to devote to his
old mother. Having been much EN-.
ployed in the south Of the empire, he
had not seen old Maria for three years
| three ages-the first time in his life
he had been SO long absent from her
Now, however, in a few days he would
|
cordingly already made preparations
for departure for Omsk when the
events which have been related oc
Cured. Michael Stregoff was there
fore introduced into the cars presence
in complete ignorance Of what the EN-
peror expected from him.
The car, apparently satisfied Will
his scrutiny, went to his bureau and
motioning to the chief of police to sea
himself, dictated in a low voice q lette'
of not more than q few lines. The let
ter penned, the car reread 1t attentive
ly and then signed it, preceding hi
name with these words, "Byt p'
semon," which. signifying 80 be IT,
constitutes the decisive formula Of thu
Russian emperors.
The letter was placed in an envelope
which was sealed with the imperia
arms.
The car. rising, told Michael Stro
goff to draw near.
Michael advanced a few steps ant
then stood motionless, ready to an
swer.
The car again looked him full in tn
face, and their eyes met. Then in al
abrupt tone:
''Thy nameY he asked.
Michael Strogoff, SIRE"
''Thy ra1kT
Captain in the corps Of couriers o
the car"
"Thou dost know Siberian
81 am Siberian"
ga native Of
"Omsk, SIRE"
Hast thou relations therew
"Yes, SIRE"
"What relationsT'
"My old mother"
The car suspended his questions 70
a moment, then, pointing to the lette
which he held in his hand, he said:
Here Is letter which / charge thee
Michael Strogoff, to deliver into tn
hands of the grand duke and to no 9th