Yakoutsk contains about 7000 inhabitants, and is built of wood. The houses are low and mean, and the people, for the most part, live in poverty and wretchedness. The climate is so severe, that, so late as June, the frost is not out of the ground; and in September, the Lena, which is a large river, is frozen over. Of course, the fruits yielded by the soil are exceedingly few, and the people have hard work, during the three brief months of summer, to lay up a sufficient store of food, fuel, and clothing, to save them from perishing during the long and bitter winter of nine months.
It was now three months since Alexis had parted from his friends at Tobolsk, and he was separated from them by a space of two thousand miles. He expected to get letters from home, brought by the post, and as soon as he and his party had obtained lodgings, he went to the office, where they were to be left. It was with a beating heart that he entered the place, and inquired for his letters. So long a time had elapsed since his departure, and so vast a distance now lay between him and his friends, that he experienced a sickening sense of anxiety. What might not have happened to his aged father, or his dear sister?
These were the thoughts in his mind, as the person at the office handed him a letter, on which he instantly recognised the hand-writing of Kathinka. He thrust it into his bosom, and, with a rapid step, sought his lodgings. Here he broke the seal, and read as follows:
“Dearest Alexis:—It is now two months since you left us, and it seems a year. I have counted the very hours since your departure, and could I have foreseen the weariness, anxiety, and longing that your absence has occasioned, I had never consented to your enterprise. When I think that you will be two thousand miles from Tobolsk when this reaches you, I am really sick at heart. And yet nothing has happened to give us any particular cause of anxiety. Indeed, our condition has rather improved. The governor’s lady bought the lace collar which I wrought, and has since taken other articles, and she has paid me well for them. The governor himself has noticed me kindly, though there is something about him I do not like. He smiles when he meets me, and flatters me very much; but still, his dark brow frightens me. However, I must not offend him, for he is not only kind to me, but he has called upon our poor father, and expressed his desire to make his exile as little painful as possible. What all this means I cannot say, but I hope it proceeds from the kindness of his heart.
“Do you remember young Suwarrow, who was at our house, while the Princess Lodoiska was concealed there? He was somehow concerned in aiding her escape; and after her departure, I had never seen him till he came here. He is of Polish birth, but his family is Russian, and he is now an officer of the castle in Tobolsk. He arrived about the time you left us. He soon found us out, and has been to see us frequently. He is a noble fellow, and, though a Russian soldier, seems to possess the heart of a Pole. It is a great comfort to find such a friend, and I think it the more fortunate, that he and father seem to like each other so much. The only thing about it that troubles me, is, that he seems to dislike my going to the governor’s house, and is very careful to conceal his visits, so that they may not be known to his commander. What does all this mean?
“You will hardly expect me to tell you any news, for we see little of society, and in fact we are almost as much lost to the world, as if Tobolsk were a prison. The only thing of particular interest that has occurred, is the arrival of several Polish exiles. Some of them are of noble families, and father’s heart has been wrung to agony for them. Alas, that the love of one’s country should be a crime, for which banishment to this dreary land must atone!
“You will desire to know all about our dear father. He is now happily relieved from the fear of immediate want; the products of my needle, so liberally paid for by the governor’s lady, supply us with the few necessities of life. He spends a good deal of time in reading; for Suwarrow has furnished us with books; and occasionally we get the Petersburgh Gazette from the same source. He seems more tranquil, but I see that sorrow is gradually weaving its shadows over his brow. There is a settled sadness in his face, which sometimes makes me weep. Oh, how changed is his condition! Once in the possession of wealth and power; once so active, so energetic, and, by the springs he set in motion, exerting so great an influence! now, so utterly helpless, isolated, and lost! How is the light of his life put out! Dear Alexis, these things move me to tears. I would that you were here to share, and thus to soften my grief. But I am thankful that there is one often here who understands my feelings. Is it not strange that a Russian should be the depositary of our confidence, and the alleviator of our sorrow? I think father likes Suwarrow more than I do. If you were here, I should care less for him; but what can I do, in my brother’s absence, but find consolation in the society of one who seems to have a brother’s interest in my happiness?
“I have had a great deal of anxiety for you. Pray write me a long letter, and tell me all about your journey. How have you borne the long and weary march of two thousand miles? Alas, that Alexis Pultova should have come to this! And yet, my brother, it may be good for you: I mean, it may promote your happiness. It may seem strange to you, for it surprises myself, to find a real pleasure in my toil. I once thought that labor was a curse, but I now find it a blessing. It is associated in my mind with the comfort and independence of our father; there is something soothing and consoling to think that I, poor I, can be so useful. Do not think me conceited, but really, Lex, I feel quite important! And you may find a similar compensation for your exertions and privations. Only think, now, if you should bring home a quantity of fine furs, and enable father to live a little more according to his wont; what a pleasure that would be! It appears to me that, if I were a young man, I should be very proud to be able to do something clever. The consciousness of being able to compel fortune to come at one’s bidding, is reserved for your sex. We girls can only admire such things in men; we may not possess the feeling itself. Still, I now feel a certain degree of confidence in myself, which is a source of much cheerfulness to my heart.
“I have now written my sheet nearly full, yet I have not told you a hundredth part of what I think and feel. Oh that I could see you, dear, dear Alexis! I never loved you so well as now, in your absence. I am not content with this cold way of speaking to you. I want to pour out my soul with the lips to your own ear, and in your real presence. Yet I must not be impatient. I would not recall you, for I believe you are in the path of duty. Let the confidence that an arm more powerful, protects you, nerve your heart for your hardy enterprise. Write me a long letter. I shall write again in four months, so that on your return to Yakoutsk, after your hunting excursion upon the banks of the Lena, you will get news from us once more. Father sends his blessing, and a thousand kind prayers and wishes for your safety. Suwarrow wishes to be kindly mentioned to you. Farewell! farewell!
Kathinka.”