THE TSARINA BEFRIENDS POLICE VICTIMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE TSARINA BEFRIENDS POLICE VICTIMS.

A rATiimc story with a beautiful ending is reported in the Kazan Press (Russia). The newspapers tell the tale of three little brothers who, after displaying wonderful self-sacrifice in order to aid their imprisoned father, had their endeavours set at nought by the authorities, but triumphed eventually through the amazing kindness of the Tsarina. Vladimir, I'iotr, and Stepan Vasillieff, the three little sons of a Kazan bootmaker, are all under 12 years of age. Two years ago their father was proceeded against by the police for some trivial offence. His shop was closed, and lie was thrown into prison, being ordered to remain there until a fine of 200 roubles (£2O) was paid. Vasillieff was a widower without friends. His only hope lay in his three boys. The children, systematically starving themselves, set to work to raise the amount of the fine. Vladimir picked up odd kopecs by runnine messages in the cattle market, Piotr, who is a hunchback, begged at church "doors, and Stephen, the youngest and brightest of the three, invented a new profession by supplying hot .vatei for street workmen's tea for three kopecs a time. ■ Early in April the three 'brothers Had collected sufficient money to procure their father's release. Stepan proceeded to the office of the Commissioner of Police and, stating his business to one of the officials, anxiously awaited the latter's reply. " Leave the money with me," commanded the policeman. ""Call again to-morrow at nine o'clock, and your father shall return home with you." At nine o'clock the three little boys presented themselves at the police station, but their father was not to be seen. The inspector on duty ridiculed their story, and threatened cc " cut their backs to ribbons" if they did not leave the office immediately. The children told tlieii story to Father Andronikoff, wh: communicated the facts to the Tsarina.

Within a week a telegram was received from St. Petersburg ordering the immediate release of the victim of police tyranny. The Tsarina forwarded money from her private purse for the more pressing wants of the unfortunate family Now a rigorous inquiry is being made into all the circumstances of the case.