Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-08
Chapter ST. orture in a
Russian Prison
By MendeI Bells
Copyright I9l4 by the Star Company. Great Britain
Rights Reserved.

Rights Reserved
,<TvTON"r you allow ME to tlrcss?" asked
wv They gave me permission. Wmle
putting on my clothes | noticed that
all the money | had was seveRty-fve kopecs
DO you want to give the money to your
wife," was asked.
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
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 loot to the ponce
station.
wnen | had gone my rooms were searched'
but the only thing the police found were jew
ish books nv passport and my soldiers GER
tfcate
NV head was full of sorrowful thoughts as
/ walked to the station, and | was nearly
heartbroken. l could not walk very rapiuN.
knock on my back from one OF the soldiers
brought me back to- the terrible reality OF my
position. In a rough voice / was ordered to
walk in the road, and not on the pavement
On the way | met Christian VINO was EN-
ployed at the brick works. He began 10 CRY
when he saw what had happened to me-
Don't lose courage Mendel," l remember
him saying, I'VE know you are innocent anu
will pray to God for you"
1t was quite two hours before we reacheu
the police station. l was at once put lnto
dark cell without even a seat IN II. toucneu
one of the walls; it was cold ana damp n
SILVER ran through me. ! could not Sleep anu
spent the night pacing up and down my cell
| shall never forget those hours. AT iast tne
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 Kn'"
about this affair.""
0f 7 nt fOuQh the tea. j CTlBu
bitterly, until the floor. became wet with my
tears At last | pulled myself togetner anu
answered:
Il do not know why have been arrested.
1t was then l learned, for the nrst tine'
that was suspected of numbering the boy
Yuschinsky, and called on God to witness my
innocence
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 Dc
sorry"
Your Excellency," replied. 81 am in your
hands | shall not lie. You can do what you
want with me. You can hang me- XIII me- ii
send me to Siberia. But will not tell ne
| cannot tell you anything about TINS hHruei'
! know nothing of it, swear it,"
Disappointed in his attempt to obtain con
fession from me he went out slammlhg ene
door and swearing hard was led DacK 10 my
cell, and, to my horror, l heard the VOICE VI
my poor son David. -.
! could hear him weeping bitterly, ana snout
ing at the top of his voice, Let me go honie'
let me go to my father!" a
! kicked at the door. banged my neau
against the walls until the blood began 10 now
went nearly mad in my desperation.
Soon after the Chief of Police came again
TO my cell. / became more terrified than e eve.
You see, Bells" he said, "how your llttle
boy lies Vera Cheberiaks son says that your
children and he were playing with YuschinsAy
IN the brick works and your boy says TINS Is NOT
true. He is big liar. That is why we na'e
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 the woman
who brought it to do a favor to poor down
uodden father and give the food to my poy'
and tell him that his father had sent IL 10 nilH
Eat it yourself" was, her reply. Don
worry. The boy has had something 10 eat.
She must have been touched by my WORDS, Ior
She added Although am Christian swear
pity you. l am sorry for your poor I'ue
During the morning / had found III my
'o'hst twenty kOpeck piece. TOOK f" out