Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-08
Chapter 3---Torture in a
Russian Prison
Rv MendeL Bells
,risbt Ipl4. by the star Company. Great Britain
Rights Reserved.

Rights deserved
|yYToN'r you allow me to dr sion 9 W6iIe
w nutting ON my clothes l noticed that
All the money | had was seyenty-five kopecs.
DO YOU want to give the money to your
wife?" was asked. a
She had no money-that knew. glanced
at her. She was still lying on the floor IN
faint | went up to her and put the coin IN
her hand n
They would not let me kiss her or the chill
dren or bid them farewell. ! was dragged into
the street, and under a guard OF soldiers WIN
drawn swords, we went on foot 10 the ponce
station. ,
Mnen had gone my rooms were searcneu'
but the only thing the police founa were jew
ish books my passport, and my soiuier ee
tilcate
My head was full of sorrowful thoughts as
walked to the station, and | was nearly
heartbroken | could not walk very rapluly.
knock on my back from one OF the soldlers
brought me back to the terrible reality OF my
position In a rough voice was ordered 10
walk in the road, and not on the pavement
On the wav I met a Christian who was en-
ployed at the brick works He began 10 CRY
when he saw what had happened 10 me.
Don't lose courage Mendel' renlellpe1
him saying I'VE know you are innocent anu
will pray to God for YOU" oa
Il was quite two hours before we reacheu
4 the police station was at once put lhto
dark cell without even a seat in 1t. toucheu
one of the walls: it was cold and damp a
SILVER ran through me. could not Sleep anu
spent the night pacing up and down my cen,
l shall never forget those hours AT last inc
morning came and | was summoned 10 the
office of the Chief of Police. He spoke 10 me
very kindly gave me cup OF tea anu III
very gentle voice said to me:
& Come, Mendel, tell me what you Ah""
& about this affair."" -,
OF course, did not touch the tea J cried
bitterly until the floor became wet Win Ivy
tears. At last / pulled myself together anu
answered:
Il q do not know why have been arrested.
q It was then | learned, for the first time'
B that | was suspected of numbering the BOY
4 Yuschinsky, and called on God to Witness my
innocence
q At this he got into a very bad temper, anu
. shouted You to Siberia, where you VIII learn
not to lie Tell me the truth, or you VIII NC
sorry"
4 Your Exceuency," replied q am in your
s hands shall not lie. You can DO Wnat YOU
want with me- You can hang me- kill me-
send me to Siberia. But will not ten ne
! cannot tell you anything about TINS murue''
+ know nothing of It'll swear IL!
4 Disappointed in his attempt to Obtain a con,
fession from me he went out, slammlhs Wy
door and swearing hard. was led BACK " NY
yell, ana, 10 my horror, nedlu tuo
B my poor son David. -.
could hear him weeping bitterly anu s9ou.
B Ing at the top of his voice, Let me go honio'
let me go to my father" ,d
kicked at the door. banged my eea ,.
against the walls until the blood Desah u "0"'
went nearly mad in my desperation.
Soon after the Chief Of Police came asain
to my cell became more terrified than ever
You see, Beilis," he said, "how your nun. ,,e
boy lies. Vera Cheberiaks son says that youi
children and he we're playing with Yuscninsh ~.
In the brick works, and your boy says TINS 70 no'
true He is big liar. That is why we n"''
arrested him."
! could not reply to this lie MY only an,
sWer was tears for my poor little son
was threatened again, and then left alone, ,
Later dinner was brought to my cell, put . :
could not touch it, only implored tne "oli, ina
VINO brought it to do a favor to poor uowm'
uodden father and give the food TO my ooy'
and tell him that his father had sent II 10 nil'
Eat it YOURSELF" was her reply. Don !, =
worry. The boy has had something 10 eat,
she must have been touched by my words, Ior
sne added Although am a Christian | swear
pity you am sorry for your poor Htue
During the morning ! had found IN my
pocAet twenty kopeck piece iook ou'