The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-11
CHAPTER XIII.
"A TERRIBLE SITUATION.

Inc palace OF the governor or IomSk
was brilliantly lighted, and carriages
crowded the plaza before it. Gayly uni
formed officers and fashionably attired
ladies passed from them into the spacious
rooms. The overnor himself was at his
best and was proud of the beautiful rela-
tive FOR whom he had given this suddenly
arranged reception.
Princess Olga, who had slept much of
the day after her wearying experiences
OF the night before, showed no effects OF
her exhaustion. but received the guests
with that calmness, that queenly style,
which was all her own.
The garrison band blared it's Russian
music, and the atmosphere in the rooms
was laden with perfume. 1t was strange
and motley gathering, but Olga, who had
travelled much in strange places, as we'll
as in centers of civilization looked upon
the crowd with complacency.
"A colonel of cavalry, with his hand
some wife, when they came to greet her
was followed by Cossack chief clad in
the barbaric splendor of his rank. A
Manchurian mandarin, with a long sword
on one side and a short one on the other,
wearing his native dress, marched with
the crowd. distinctive. figure He had
come to Tomsk to confer for his govern
ment with Neslerov concerning the cross
ing Of the border into Manchur1a. The
new railway brought to Tomsk mighty
men from places never before heard Of by
many who lived in Tomsk.
A Persian prince who had but the day
before arrived from Tobolsk, where he
had spent week studying the convict
system-a system impossible to his coun-
try-added his gorgeousness to the
throng.
II Olga was surprised that at so short
notice so great a gathering could be sum-
moned in that Siberian capital, she gave
no sign. She accepted the homage as
one who was born to it.
Young officers WED with one another
to be near her Grizzled veterans
them glad to see so lovely princess
at Tomsk. By far the most distin-
guished looking man in the throng was
the colonel Of the cavalry, whose wife,
having been long a semi invalid found
time to devote some attention to the
princess, while his wife rested from
the WEAKNESS the excitement brought
upon her.
Olga, whose travels had given her a
clear insight to human character,
singled Colonel Barakoff out at once
as man Of sterling integrity and a
fearless soldier To him she was ex-
tremely gracious, and encouraged MIN
to talk. and he was proud of her atten-
ton. When the dancing began, the
crowd scattered through the palace. and
it was not long before Colonel Bara-
koff and Olga found themselves sitting in
retired spot with the coloneps wife.
ut is the first time in my expert
ence," said the colonel land that has
not been a 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 forsake
the pleasures and gaieties Of st. Peters,
burg for this dismal place.
Il have seen enough of st. Peters,
burg gaieties to last for time an
swered Olga. my life is not all spent In
pleasure. I am not yet your age, colonel,
but have learned that to be happy and
to be contented with oneself one must
find some work to do, and do it we'll.
you are very young" said the colo
mel slowly, land very wealthy to have
found that out. I, Of course, learned it
long ago, but my age is three times
yours. You say you have found pleasure
in work. Would it be presumptuous to
ask what work has found favor in your
eyes?"
"Presumptuous? Not at all, colonel, I
am always pleased to talk with one who
is able to appreciate 1t. l have become
thoroughly convinced that there are faults
in our social system. I am neither a
nihilist nor a socialist, but 1 do think that
the wealthy mobiles Of Russia are not
doing their full duty to those who, it is
true, are dependent upon them, but upon
whom also they are dependent
to take. Men have been sent to Siberia
for those sentiments.'
And the sentiment sent me to Siberia.
but not under sentence. l have come
partly to visit the governor, who is a
relative, and, more than that, to study
the convict system as worked out under
his rule in Tomsk."
The colonel became cautious.
''You will find plenty to study he an
swered, but 1 fancy you will not pro-
Deed rapidly. Our system-well, it is the
same, I suppose, as that in vogue at To-
bolsk."
perhaps it will prove I am &C
quainted with Count de Muloff governor
general, and I know that. while he is "a
stern man, he Is just. When he can be
merciful without lending an apparent aid
to the unworthy he does not hesitate to
show leniency. I hope I shall find the
same spirit prevailing here"
The colonel smiled grmly.
shall you, then, write book upon the
penal SYSTEM"
Il may do so, although that is not yet
one Of my plans. I may tell you in conf
dence, however, that I have the entire
confidence of the car and that he is in
terested in the outcome Of my studies.''
I'm my youthful days we did not hear
of such things" said the colonel. "a
young woman who at your age and with
your wealth and position took upon her
self so great a task would be sent forth
with to lonely castle and kept a semi
prisoner"
II fear that some of that same spirit
dominates our society to-day"
II think it will prevail for time"
where would you advise me to go tc
study the convict system at its worst?"
Its worst? Do you wish to see it al
dts best?"
IT understand it at its best"
s'Well, it is a serious matter to advise
yet if you are working under the protec.
ton Of the car we must help you.
should say Tivoloffsky."
Il shall go there. Where are your pris
ons?' 49,. .s
The colonel rubbed his grizzled mus
zach.
I'VE have guardhouses I'M all settle
ments." ~ -...
"Dungeons?" r.-
''Not many dungeons. There are dun
geons under this very palace, but they are
obsolete. I do not think they have beer
used in years.
"Then they could be inspected"
But that would be for the governor tt
say. Shall I ask him."
mo; since they are under his palac,
shall have an opportunity later. sup
pose they are entered by way Of a secre
door"
There was a door at the end of thu
police Offices replied the colonel "O1
course, being soldier know -scarcel!
anything about them. They are who'll.
An charge of the police"