The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-01

district of semipalatnsk. His mine was long
nv quarter Of verst wide and was on the bed of 4
small tributary of the river Isnsoul. Otto young
German spoke Russian fairly, industrious and
pay ground the yield profit. He held
somewhat aloof from the socaed society of the little
of Barnau and in consequence of his habtua ret
we'll liked by the functionares who COM
posed the major portion of that socaed society The
governing inspector of the district of was
called Ivan Polotkin, by the minister
mines of western Siberia but who spendthrift
Polotkin great ideas; was he called
himself leader of fashion and society in Barnaul He
balls and parties, but his greatest passion was for
cards; in country where easily and
easily lost he had lack of comrades in his
favorite pursuit.
When Otto Hubner came to sempalatinsk armed
papers St Petersburg and took the
the Ncolsk mne Pootkn endeavored to get the Ger
into what he called his set !: Hubner, have
not the sort of to be easily drawn He
attended two of the functions to which he
invited but Stunned cards, and in consequence in
CURED the dspleasure Of the governing inspector in
hands, matter of fact, his fate placed.
In the year 1892 the yield at the Nicosk mine had
of Nicolsk the length gold mining
country Hubner was congratulated by all with whom
he came in contact, and he, German tho he was
radiant pleasure, and drank vadki hearts
content with all those who cared to drink with him.
for Tomsk that Governing Inspector Polotin invited
Hubner his house At that afternoon the in
spector wishfu to CLEAN information of the
Nicosk mine of which he said he knew very little.
"Gospodin Hubner said he lit is really strange that
when foreigners into gold mining
full they while Russians strive strive
vet advance further. Tell the secret How it
is that in two you have made the Nicolsk mine,
which was one OF no value now worth SO much money?
Is 1T industry is it because that extraordinary
machinery which cost thousands roubles
to bring across the Urals?"
IVAN said Hubner lit is simply this. It is because
I see my work done under my own superintendent.
DO instance let anyone manage the mine in order
to be in Barnau or Se1nipalatinsk playing cards and
drinking vodk tho to-day have drunk vodk
than should. But then, am leaving the mine
to morrow with the caravan for Tomsk.''
The inspector frowned at this speech
man and drummed his fingers the table.
What have we to do in such country this"
said surrounded by Khrghiz, with mosquitoes and
fever and such mseries except cards; after
all, what win what we lose?1You seven
pools Of gold, have you not, Gospodn Hubner?"
Seven pools, twenty zolotniks."
"A marvellous recovery unused the inspector. You
shall have extra escort is dangerous for
with less than men," :.@~ .,.s--a
IT have been twice with gold caravan" said Otto.
why should pay for soldiers; surely two
You know the penalty?" :@
IF the gold is lost, responsible" .. @
Exactly. And great deal of blame would fall
I think you should have men, --s.
Z think two will be quite sufficient. My Khirghiz
Khaibi is good yernshik every inch of the
country can trust him, and two Of your cossacks will
be quite sufficient
As you please Gospodin Hubner but am fearful for
safety Of this gold adjure you
ten cossacks You that you do require them,
you do pay a large escort; but
for my safety, require you to sign paper
which, in of accident will acquit negligence
you remember cossacks; you require
to pay only you thing two are sufficient well
and good; do not-that is all. You will sign such a
paper?" 80 ~ s...gssS .s.5s.t: Il. Gs5#fl
Willingly. But why, Ivan, do you speak like this?
Is there any special danger now?' -
None that know off, replied the inspector, Except
that the nducement is large .4s I
after that the conversation drifted into genera
ties when Otto Hubner repaired to his
house and calling his Khirghiz servant Khalib,
him to ready his baggage for the orrow's
journey. Kha1bi little squat with Mongol
features and oblique eyes. Mohammedan of
Monammedans and faithful to the core. He had
been in the Nicosk mine when Otto Hubne1
came. Ten days afterwards he installed Otto
Hubner's right-hand The Khirghiz had not for
cotton this and as have said faithful to the core
At o'clock the next morning there jangle OF
bells the stamping of many horses feet
three troikas forming the gold
ready their journey northward. The gold
previously packed in boxes, sealed and chained
eyes Of the inspector himself the gold had heeI