The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-03-24

The word soon spread that car
rage was coming along the road from
Tver. All the villagers came to the
doors of their dilapidated wooden huts.
Even the inns We're emptied for Il tiine.
AS the vehicle approached 1t became
apparent that the horses were gong
aft n great pace Not only was the loose
horse galloping, but also the par III
the shafts. The carriage was an open
one, an ordinary north Russian travel
ing carriage, not unlike the Venice we
call the victoria, set on high WheelS.
Beside the driver on the box sat an
other servant. In the open carriage sat
one man only, Karl Steinmetz.
AS he passed through the village d
murmur of many voices followed MN,
not quite drowned by the rattle or E!s
wheels, the clatter of the horses feet.
The murmur was a curse. Karl STEM
metz heard it distinctly 1t made him
smile with a queer expression beneath
his great gray mustache.
The starosta. standing in lis door,
way, saw the smile. He raised his
voice with his neighbors and CURSE.
AS Steinmetz passed him lie gave lit
tie jerk of the head toward the castie'
The jerk Of the head might nave Lcen
due to an inequality of the road, but II
might also convey an appointment
The keen, haggard face OF MlcEael
Room showed no sign of mutual unGeF-
standing. and the carriage ratified on
OH the stricken village
Two hours later. when it wGs quite
dark. closed carriage, with two
bright lamps fiaring into the night,
passed through the village toward the
castle at a gallon.
1T is the prince" the peasants cried,
crouching in their low doorways. 1T
is the prince. We know his bells, they
are of silver, and we shall starvc dur
ing the winter. Curse him, curse h!ln!
They raised their heads and listened to
the galloping feet with the patient.
dumb despair which is the curse OF the
Slavonic race. Some of them crept 10
their doors and, looking up. saw that
the castle windows were abla-e WITH
light. If Paul Howard Alexis was a
plain English gentleman in London he
was also a great prince in his country,
keeping up princely state. enjoying
the gilded solitude that belongs to the
high born. His English education had
educed strict sense Of discipline. and,
as in England and indeed all through
his life, so in Russia did he attempt to
do his duty.
ln1 n
liantly lighted door, which stood open.
and within, ON either side OF the broad
entrance hall, the servants stood 10
welcome their master. A strange, PIC
turesoue, motley crew-the major domo,
in his black coat, and beside him the
other housc servants-tall, upright fell
lows in their bright livery; beyond
chem the stablemen and keepers. a
little army in red cloth tunics, with
wide trousers tucked into high boots,
all holding their fur caps in their
hands, standing stiffiy at attention.
clean, honest and not too intelligent.
The castle of Osterno is built on the
lines of many Russian country seats
and not a few places in Moscow. The
royal palace in the Kremlin is an ex-
ample-a broad entrance hall, at the
back of which a staircase as broad
stretches up to gallery around which
the dwelling rooms are situated. AT
the head Of the staircase, d. rectly fac.
ing the entrance hall, high folding
doors disclose the drawing room, which
is almost a throne room; all gorgeous.
lofty, spacious as only Russian houses
are. Truly this northern empire, this
great white land, is country in which
1t is good to be an emperor, prince, a
noble, but not q poor man.
Paul passed through the ranks of his
retainers, himself head taller than
the tallest footman. few inches broad
er than the sturdiest keeper. He ac-
knowledged the low bows by q quick
nod and passed up the staircase. Stein
metz. In evening dress, wearing the
insignia of one or two orders which he
had won in the more active days of his
earlier diplomatic life, was waiting
for him at the head of the stairs.
The two men bowed gravely to each
other. Steinmetz threw open the door
Of the great room and stood aside. The
prince passed on, and the German fol-
lowed him, each playing his part grave
ly, as men in high places are called to
do. When the door was closed behind
them and they We're alone there was
no relaxation. no smile of covert de-
rision. These men knew the Russian
character thoroughly. There is. be it
known, no more impressionable man on
the face of Gods earth. Paul and
Steinmetz had played their parts SO
long that these came to be natural to
them as soon as they passed the Volga.
Ihey knew that the people around
them were somewhat like the dumb
beast. These peasants required over
awning by careful display of pomp,
an unrelaxed dignity. The line of
demarcation between the noble and
the peasant is so marked in the land
or the ear that it is difficult for Others
to realize OF believe it.
CHAPTER Y.