Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-03-22

rapidity of the current. If, then, the
Tartars have no other means of cross
ing the river, can assure your high
ness they cannot possibly cross in that
manner" The governor general con-
firmed this assertion.
1T is a very fortunate circumstance, "
answered the grand duke. 'Neverthe-
less let us be prepared for every emer-
gency."
Then, turning to the head of the po-
lice, he asked him:
Have you nothing to say to me r.
II have to place before your high
ness" said the head of the police, "a
petition which has been addressed to.
you
"By whomY'
"By the exiles Of Siberia, who, as
your highness knows, are to the NUM-
Der Of 500 in this city"
The political exiles, scattered all over
the province, had indeed been concen-
trated at Irkutsk from the commence
ment of the Invasion. They had obey
ed the order to rally at the town and
to abandon the villages where they ex-
ercised different professions. Some
were doctors, others professors. either
at the japanese school or at the school
Of navigation. From the beginning the
grand duke, like the car, trusting to
their patriotism, had armed them, and
he had found in them brave defenders.
what do the exiles ask for% said
the grand duke.
'They ask your highness' permits
sion," answered the head of the police,
''to form special corps and to lead the
sortie.''
eyes," said the grand duke, with an
emotion which he did not seek to con
ceal, these exiles are Russians, and 1t
is indeed their right to fight for their
country"
81 can assure your highness," said
the governor general, that we have no
better soldiers"
"But they must have leader" said
the grand duke. "Who shall he be2''
"Would your highness like to have
one" said the head of the police, who
has distinguished himself on many oc-
casionsw
''Is he RusSianY
eyes, a Russian of the Baltic prov
| inces."
"What is his name%
''WaSsiH Feodor."
| That exile was the father of Nadia.
Wassili Feodor, as is known, exer-
cised at Irkutsk the profession Of q
| doctor. He was an educated and char
| table man and at the same time man
of the greatest courage and patriotism.
| When he was not occupied with the
sick, he was engaged in organizing re-
sistance. 1t was he who had united his
companions in exile in common action.
The exiles, up to that time scattered
among the population, had borne them
selves in battle in such manner as to
! draw the attention Of the grand duke.
In several sorties they had paid with
their blood their debt to holy Russia
holy indeed and adored by her children.
Wassili Feodor had conducted himself
heroically. On several occasions his
| name had been mentioned as the BRAY
est Of the brave, but he had asked mel
Their for graces nor favors, and when
the exiles formed a special corps he
had no idea they would choose him as
their leader. When the head OF the
police had pronounced that name be-
fore the grand duke, the latter replied
that it was not unknown to him.
Indeed answered General Voran-
zoff, "Wassili Feodor is a man of Valor
and courage. His influence over his
companions has always been very
great" 49,. a.4-..-
''How long has he been at Irkutsk|
asked the grand duke.
1.-TWO years" -...."
"And his conductY' a..
Ellis conduct" answered the head
of the police, sis that of a man who
submits to the special laws under
which he lives" =
General answered the grand duke,
shave the goodness to present him i'm
mediately."
The orders of the grand duke were
executed, and half hour had not pass
ed before Wassili Feodor was intro
duced into his presence.
He was man some forty years old
or more, tall, with a sad and severe
countenance. One felt that all his life
was summed up in this one word,
struggle, and that he had struggled
and suffered all his life. His traits re-
minded one remarkably Of those of his
daughter, Nadia Feodor.
More than any other thing the Tartar
invasion had cut him in his dearest af-
lection and ruined the last hope OF
that father, exiled to distance OF
more than 5000 versts from his native
place. A letter had informed him Of
the death of his wife and at the same
time of the departure of his daughter,
who had obtained from the government
permission Is rejoin him at 1rkufsk.
Nadia had to leave Riga on the 10th
of July. The invasion was on the 10th.
If at that time Nadia had crossed the
frontier, what had become of her in the
midst of the invaders? One can con-
ceive how this unhappy father must
have been devoured with anxiety, since
from that time he had received no