CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-01-01


alone. Tnat was no,nihg. But arter
stripping 1t he dragged the gigantic
animals skin to his fathers house.
many versts distant. thus exhibiting
remarkable strength in a boy so young
Gifted with marvellous acutencss.
when every object WAS hidden In mis-,
or even In higher attitudes, where the
polar night is prolonged for many days,
he could lind his way when others
would have had no Idea whittier to d.
rect their steps. He had learned tG
read almost imperceptible signs. tho
forms OF icicles. the appearance OF the
small branches of trees. mists rising
far away on the horizon. vague sounds
in the air. distant reports, the flight OF
birds through the foggy atmosphere--a
thousand circumstances which are SO
many words to those who can deciphcr
them. Moreover. tempered by snow
like a Damascus blade In the waters OF
Syria, he had a frame OF iron, as Gen
eral Kissofr had said. and. what was
no less true, heart OF gold.
The only sentiment OF love felt by
Michael strogoff was that which he en-
IA, who could never be induced TO leave
the house OF the Strogorfs at Omsk. on
the banks OF the Istish. where the old
huntsman and she had lived so long TO
gether When her son left her. he
went away with n full heart. but prom
Using to come and see her whenever he
could possibly do 80. and this promise
he had always reiIgiously kept.
When Michael was twenty. 1t was de
cided that he should enter the personal
service of the emperor Of Russia. In the
corps OF the couriers OF the car. The
hardy. intelligent. jealous, well con
Quoted young Siberian first distinguish
ed himself especially in n journey TO
the Caucasus. through the midst OF
difficult country, ravaged by some rest
less successors of Schnmyl: then. Inter,
in an important mission to Petrepoiow-
ski In Kamchatkn. the extreme limit
OF Asiatlc Russia. During these long
Journeys he displayed such marvellous
GOODNESS. prudence and courage as to
gain him the appreciation and protec-
tion OF his chief. who rapidly advanced
him In his profession.
The furloughs which were his due
after these distant missions, although
he might be separated from her by
thousands OF versts and winter had
rendered the roads almost impossible.
he had never failed to devote to his
old mother. Having been much EN-
ployci IN the south OF the empire. he
had not seen old Maria for three years
three ngcs-the first time In his life
he had been so long absent from her
Now. however. in n few days he would
obtain his furlough. and he had nc
cordlngly already made preparations
for departure for omsk when the
events which have been related oc-
Cured Michael Strogoff was there.
fore introduced into the cars presence
in complete ignorance of what the EN-
peror expected from him
The czar. apparently satisfied with
his scrutiny. went to bis bureau and
motioning TO the chief OF police to seat
himself. dictated In low voice a letter
OF not more than few lines The let
ter pcnued. the cznr rerend II attentive
ly and then signed II, preceding his
name with these words. "Byt po
semon." which. siguifying $50 be IT,"
constitutes the decisive formula Of the
Russian emperors
The letter was placed In nm envelope.
which was scaled with the imperial
arms.
The czar. rising. told Michael stro-
goff to draw near.
Michael advanced n few steps and
then stood motionlcss. ready to an
swer.
The ear again looked him full in the
face. and their eyes met. Then in an
abrupt tone:
THY namer' he asked
Michael strogoff. sire"
'"rhy rankT'
Captain in the corps of couriers OF
the car"
Thou dost know Siberian
II am Siberian"
"A native or
"Omsk. sire
Hast thou relations tbereT'
"Yes. sire"
what relationsT''
My old mother"
The car suspended his questions for
moment. then, pointing to the letter
which he held in his hand. he said:
Here Is a letter wuich charge thee.
Michael Strogoff. to deliver into the
hands OF the grand duke and to no 9th.
er but him"
IL viii deliver It. sire"
"The grand duke is at Irkutsk."
~ will go to Irkutsk.'
Thou wilt have to traverse rebel.
lious country. invaded by Tartars,
whose interest It will be to intercept
this letter"
"'I Will traverse it.
aAhov. nil hawore Of the trnitor