Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-12-15
The Courier
Of the Gar
By Jules Verne

Before any one could get out of the
carriages the inspectors of police pre-
scented themselves at the doors and ex-
amined the passengers.
Michael Strogoff showed his podo-
ROMA made out in the name of Nicholas
Korpanof. He had consequently no
difficulty.
AS to the other travellers in the COM
partment, all bound for Mimi Novgo-
rod, their appearance, happily for them.
was in nowise suspicious.
The young girl in her turn exhibited
not a passport, since passports are no
longer required in Russia, but permit
Endorsed with private seal and which
seemed to be of a special character.
The inspector read the permit with at
tention. Then, having attentively ex-
amined the person whose description it
contained, he said
''You are from Riga?"
eyes," replied the young girl.
"You are going to Irkutsk"
eyes"
''By what route"
"By Perm"
care to have your permit vised at the
police station of Mini Novgorod." The
young girl bent her head in token of
assent.
Hearing the questions and replies,
Michael Strogoff experienced n min
gled sentiment both of surprise and
pity. What, this young girl alone jour-
neying to that faroff Siberia and at a
time when to it's ordinary dangers were
added all the perils Of an invaded coun-
try and one in n state of Instruction?
How would she reach it? What would
become of her?
The inspection ended, the doors of
the carriages were opened, but before
Michael Strogoff could move toward
her the young Livonian, who had been
the first to descend, had disappeared in
the crowd which thrOnged the plat
forms of the railway station.
Mini Novgorod, Lower Novgorod, sit
uated at the junction Of the Volga and
the Okla, is the chief town in the dis
trict of the same name. 1t was here
that Michael Strogoff was obliged to
leave the railway, which at the time
i did not go beyond this town. Thus as
he advanced his travelling would be-
come first less speedy and then less
safe.
Mini NovEorod, the fixed population
OF which is only from 10000 to $4,000
Inhabitants, contained at that tint
more than 3o0,000-that is to say, the
population was increased tenfold. This
addition was in consequence of the eel
ebrated fair which was held within
the walls for three weeks. Formerly
Makarlew had the benefit of this con.
course of traders, but since 1917 the
fair had been removed to Mini Novgo.
rod.
The town, dreary enough at most
times, then presented q truly animated
scene. Six different races of merchants,
European and Asiatic, were fraterniz-
ing under the congenial influence of
trade
Michael Strogoff strolled through the
town quietly, looking out for some inn.
He was looking for supper rather than
bed, but he found both at the sign
of the City of Constantinople.
His supper finished, Michael Strogoff
instead OF going up to his bedroom
again strolled out into the town.
Why did not Michael Strogoff 60
quietly to bed, as would have seemed
more seasonable after a long railway
journeyl Was he thinking of the
young Livonian girl who had for Sc
many hours been his travelling compan-
ion2 Having nothing better to do, he
was thinking of her.
alone" he said to himself; "alone in
the midst of these wandering tribes
And yet the present dangers are moth
ing to those she must undergo. Sibe.
ria! 1rkutsk! l am about to dare all
risks for Russia, for the car, while
she Is about to do so for whom? For
what2 She is authorized to cross the
frontier! And the country beyond is
in revolt! The steppes beyond are full
Of Tartar bandsv'
Michael Strogoff stopped for an In
slant and reflected.
without doubt" thought he, "she
~ must have determined on undertaking
her journey before the invasion. Per
haps she II even now ignorant of what
8 happening But, no; that cannot be
or the merchants discussed before hel
he disturbances in Siberia, and she
Id not seem even surprised. She die
lot even ask for an explanation. She
must have known it then. and, though
showing II, she is still resolute. Pool
Firl! Her motive for the journey mus
le urgent indeed! But, though she may
Re brave-and she certainly is so-hel
trength must fail her, and, to sa!
othing Of dangers and obstacles, sht
Fill be unable to endure the fatigue Of
UGH journey. Never can she pas!
rkutskp'