Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-23


from the w,arincss the excitement
brought upon her.
Olga, whose travels had given her
clear insight to human character,
singled Colonel Barakoff out at once
as a man of sterling integrity and a
fearless soldier. To him she was ex-
tremely gracious, and encouraged him
to talk, and he was proud of her at
tcntion. When the dancing began, the
crowd scattered through the palace,
and it was not long before Colonel
Barakoff and Olga found themselves
sitting in retired spot with the
coloncrs wife.
ut is the first time in my expert
encc," said the colonel, "and that has
not been short one, that one Of our
noble ladies has condescended to visit
our capital. And now one of the pow
erful house of Neslerov is here. 1t
causes wonder that she would forsnke
the pleasures and gayeties of st.
Petersburg for this dismal place"
81 have seen enough of st. Peters
burg gayeties to last for time an
swercd Olga. "My life is not all spent
in pleasure. am not yet your age,
colonel but have learned that to be
happy and to be contented with one
self one must find some work to do,
and do it we'll"
"You are very young" said the
colonel slowly. land very wealthy to
have found that out |, Of course,
learned it long ago, but my age is three
times yours. You say you have found
pleasure in work. Would it be pre-
sumptuous to ask what work has
found favor in your eyesT"
"Presumptuous? Not at all. colonel.
I am always pleased to talk with one
who is able to appreciate it. | have
become thoroughly convinced that there
are faults In our social system. | am
neither nihilist nor a socialist, but [
do think that the wealthy mobiles of
Russia are not doing their full duty to
those who, 1t is true, are dependent
upon them. but upon whom also they
are dependent"
at is bold stand for a young wom-
an to take Men have been sent to ST.
IBERIA for those sentiments"
"And the sentiment sent me to Sibe-
ria. but not under sentence. | have
come partly to visit the governor. who
is relative and. more than that, to
study the convict system rs worked
out under his rule in Tomsk."
Tie colonel became cautious.
"lou will find plenty to study" he
answered. "hut | fancy you will not
proceed rapidly. Our system-well, ii
at lob Disk"
"Per.nps it will prove so. l am &C.
/ quainted with Count de Muloff. govern
or general, and | know that, while he
is stern man. he is Just. When he
can be mcrciful without lending an
apparent aid to the unworthy, he does
not hesitate to show lenicncy. hope
shall find the same spirit prevailing
here"
The colonel smiled Crimly.
Shall YOU. hen. write a book upon
the penal systcm:'
Il may do so. although that is moi
yet one of my plans may tell You in
confidence. however, that | have the
entire confidence Of the gar md MA,
he is Interested in the oI.come OF my
Studies"
In my youthful days we did not heal
of sllIA thugs" said the colunei. -
young woman who AT your age an
with your wealth and positiSn tool
upon herself so great task would b'
sent forthwith to a lonely castle anC
kept a scmprisoncr."
Il fear that some of that same spri
dominates our society today"
Il think it will prevail for time
"Where would you advise me to 60 Il
study the convict system ut its worst?
Its worst? DO you not wish to SCI
it at its best?"
81 understand it at its best"
"Well it is a serious matter to ad
wise, yet if you are working under TIT
protection of the car we must hell
you. | should say TivO0ifsky"
Il shall 20 there. Where are you
prisons:'
The colonel rubbed his grizzled mus
tache.
1--WE have guardhouses in all settle
ments.'
"Dung"ons?"
"Not many dungeons. There ar
dungeons under this very palace, bu
they are obsolete. do not think the.
have been used in years"
"Then they could be Inspected
Il see no reason why they should not
But that would be for the governor t
say Shall ask him.?
mo; since they are under his palac
I shall have an opportunity later.
suppose they are entered by way of
secret door"
"There was n door at the end of IN
police Offices" replied the colonel. 80
course, being soldier | know scarcel
anything about them. They are who'll
in charge OF the police"
"But you formerly had no police i
Siberia save the Cossack guards
True, but | was not at Tomsk ther
came here from Tobolsk."
Olga spoke then to the colonies wife
and the subject OF the dungeons dl
not recur.
Neslcrov came and presented youn
officer, a member of noble family, an
he asked Olga for a waltz. She thank
ed the colonel, and they did not NEE
again. The dancing continued till
,, very late hour, after which there wa
a supper served with the true Russia
a