The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-29
Copyright, 1903, by the National Press Agency.
NUMBER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN.

one.
and children He ordered up the twenty cossaoks VINO
guarded place, bade them their ration
the morrows march, as they would have to accom-
pany the prisoners station, thirty versts
Having done these things Theodore went to ms
midday meal of cabbage and outlets, his nips OF
vodk and tin sardines in the storehouse It
summer, and mosquitoes buzzed unpleasanty in
every direction While Theodore ate his meal he waged
desperate upon cursed
all the time the circumstances which compelled him to
live in such place Ostrog No. 60.
It late in the day when the tramp of many feet
clank of the chains the approach of
eiles Theodore his white coat and his white
cap buckled his belt slung his sword strap
his shoulder drew his gloves and went out to
It was indeed a motley crowd. Travelstained and
along eight Deep the shackled prisoners
middle, teegas native carts.
truned aAong, bearing the goods and chattes of the
prisoners and also the wives and children of those who
elected to share their husbands their parents
tyty The officer in command of the gang handed over
voice, with officer the ostrog
IA quiet lot this time Theodore, said the officer,
moving his gloves and taking off his sword "But, dear
man, offer glass Of tea, can't you? The
dust is than and the mosquitoes How
it, Theodore, Nothing than glass
Of tea in the greatest Of heat And thenwell wash
for Tn flthy-as filthy indeed, as the arresants them
selves. Then you tell me- Theodore, how you
this new position OF yours and when you are coming
back to Tomsk.'
later, hand, with two CO.'S
sacks bearing Theodore went the round of the
prisoners and checked them against the which
bore the signature of the of province
of Tomsk There were 3o7 prisoners all told, including
twenty-six children a number stamped
on his coarse, gray clothing, and each number was
checked and rechecked against general
governor Tomsk. long task but at the con-
clusion of two hours Theodore nearly
end. He came to who sat silently cross
bench dangling his tin kettle in front of him.
preventing him from sitting straight Theodore
at him.
"Your nane?" he said, sharply.
The man looked up and their eyes met. The tin
of the prisoner dropped the pencil of the natchanik fell
there silence, while of the
picked up pencil handed it his master.
your name?" said the natchanik again, and if any
one had noticed he would have seen that face
pale and his hands trembled.
"Mitchael Bushkn," almost whispered the prisoner.
IA hundred and forty-seven."
These other particulars were carefully checked
Theodore, having task, the
stirling room, crossed yard his
apartments. He with feeling of gladnes that the
officer brought prisoners
ton asleep under the mosquito net; he stag
gered rather than walked into his little private chamber
only coming him being the oft muttered
word: "Mitchae Mtchae Mitchael!"
When night had fallen the officer and his had de-
parted their return journey ostrog settled
into silence 1t midnight when Theodore
his bell sharply and everready cossack made his
Bring No 147 here" he said, sharply.
The cossack looked at him amazement for
ment, but recovering himself, sauted departed.
Five minutes later there rattle of chains
Bushkin, into the presence Of the
natchanik The door closed and the facing each
"wel?" said Theodore in his hard voice
Michael looked up and glared at his brother.
'And what do want, Theodore, to drag from
my seep?"
"Good ques-
ton? What this? I left you Moscow, one Of
the most trusted and responsible of in the
service. Look at half cropped head, your
chains What does it mean? What I to think p"
The other sneered Where you will be day,
Theodore, thru serving: your country too we'll"
II don't understand" cried the other
"And perhaps you will Only this can
tell you By the grand dukes orders am here You
that Theodore and the prisoner thrust his
WI limos tllnder III h
his brother.
81 nothing" said Theodore, except a small
Eyes; that small cross is why here. There a
message in that cross which only the grand
self read but which, for the safety
got here, he must read You In all prob
ability he will have the CHARGE for shall he in