The Iola register., 1902-02-21

inceS."
''What is his nameT
"Wasslli Feodor."
That exile was the father of Nadia.
Wassili Feodor, as is known, eXer-
cised at Irkutsk the profession of
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 populat zion, 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.
Wassill Feodor had conducted himself
heroically. On several occasions his
name had been mentioned as the BRAY
est of the brave, but he had asked nell
ther for graces nor favors, and when
the exiles formed n 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 1t was not unknown to him.
Indeed" answered General Voran-
zoff, "Wassili Feodor is n man of valor
and courage. His influence over his
companions has always been very
great"
How long has he been at IrkutskT
asked the grand duke.
1.-TWO years"
"And his conductT
"His conduct" answered the head
of the police, 'is that of n man who
submits to the special laws under
which he lives"
General" answered the grand duke,
"have 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 n man some forty years old
or more, tall, with 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 Peodor.
More than any other thing the Tartar
invasion had cut him in his dearest af-
fection and ruined the last hope OF
that father, 2xiled TO n distance OF
more than 5000 versts from his native
| ,,Io ho1 In l,f nF
the death of his wife and at the same
time of the departure of his daughter,
who had obtained from the government
permission to rejoin him at Irkutsk.
nadia had to leave Riga ON the 1UJn
of July. The invasion was on the 18th.
If at that time Nadia had crossed the
frontier, what had become of her in the
midst of the invaders2 One can con-
ceive how this unhappy father must
have been devoured with anxiety, since
from that time he had received no
news of his daughter.
Wassili Feodor In the presence of the
grand duke bowed and waited to be in
terrogated.
! "Wassill Feodor," said to him the
grand duke, your companions have
asked to form n picked corps. Do you
know that in that corps they must
| fight to the last manr
"They know It," answered Wassili
Feodor.
'rhey wish you for leader"
81. your highnessY
"Do you consent to put yourself at
| their headY
"Yes, If the good of Russia requires
It,"
Captain Feodor." said the grand
duke, you are no longer an exile"
81 thank your highness. But am l to
command those who still are eXiles"
"They are so no longerw
1t was the pardon of all his compan-
ions in exile, now his companions in
arms, which the brother of the czar
granted to him!
Wassili Feodor pressed with emotion
the hand which the grand duke held
out to him, and he left the room.
The latter turned then toward the of
fcers.
"The czar will not refuse to accept
the letter Of pardon which | am draw
ing upon him." said he, smiling. I'VE
need heroes to defend the capital of
Siberia, and l have just now made
some"
This pardon of the eXlles Of Irkutsli
was indeed an act Of wise justice and
wise policy.
Night had now come on. Across the
windows Of the palace shone the fires
of the Tartar camp and far beyond the
Angara. The river was full of floating
blocks Of ice some of which were stop
ped by the first piles of the ancient
wooden bridges. Those which the cur
rent held in the channel fioated down
with great rapidity. Thus 1t was evil
dent, as the chief of the merchants had
observed, that the Angara could scarce
ly freeze along the whole of it's surface.
| IA Il 4