The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-11-18

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he thinks Russia dreary country"
In these three extracts were facts which
the minister would have sworn were never
obtained from himself or staff He did not
believe that single person on that side of
the world knew how many children his
sister had, Or could know what he had
written to his brother, but the officials had
recorded exact facts. The matter was
brought to the attention of his successor,
and to that of the English and the French
minister, and though their statements and
protestations were courteously treated, the
espionage was undoubtedly maintained.
1t seems to be the theory of all Russian
officials that all foreigners have contempt
for the czar and will endeavor to incite
rebellion, and SO they become enemies the
moment they land, and are looked upon
and dogged about as such. Not that the
Russians are lacking in politeness or cour-
tesy on the contrary, they are only ex-
celled in these qualities by the French.
The government spy who wrought my
downfall could not have been more friendly
courteous had l been officially granted
the freedom of Russia in gold box. Ser
wants are polite to masters, masters are
courteous to servants servants are courte-
GUS to each other, and yet each one is
watched with the vigilance of the lynx.
Anumber of years ago an uncle of mine
from political merit orpolitical wire-pull-
;no uoe anno;ufad ,,;nietap to R,eo;o
There was consul at Cionsdadt, and
when asked that my relative should make
his profit my profit, / was semitic Cronsdadt,
as sort of second fiddle to the regularly
appointed consul-a place undoubtedly as
high as my merits entitled me to fill The
consul, Mr. Morrow, cordially welcomed
me, and informed me that neither of us
would have much work outside Of sending
off the slim reports and drawing salary.
The information pleased me, strange as it
every one employed by Uncle Sam en-
deavors to do as little as he can and to get
as much pay as possible and it may be
said that the old chap never offers any in
ducement for one to do contrary by increas-
ing the salaries of the vigilant and indus
trious, and cutting down those of the idle
and shiftless. However, this bit of old
news was intended as preface to explain
the statement that had q good deal of
time on my hands after the first day. Mr..
Morrow had been there so long that Crons-
dadt had nothing new for him. He had
grown fat ard lazy, and he read or slept a
good deal of the time while / was dashing
about i1pa iHf in en Ai
81" want to give you little advice,"' he
said, on the second day of my arrival.
"Be careful what You say every word will
be picked up and treasured, and spies will
dog your every step. Say nothing about
the government one way Or the other and
praise everything you see." '''' n
And who is the car that he should be
above criticism ? / replied, Indignantly.
my dear young man." continued Mr..
Morrow, lowering his voice, "there is no
one in sight, and certainly no one in this
room but you and /, yet it is not certain
that your expression will not be recorded
at police headquarters within half an
hour ~ tarA.W
saw that the man was anxious and
frightened, and felt little sorry for my
rash words. Calling me over to him he
took down book, and while pretending to
point out certain things on the page, he
whispered words of warning, and related
the case of an American named Warner.
who disappeared from Cronsdadt three
years before in a very mysterious manner,
after having uttered less rebellious ex-
preston than mine, | was sobered for the
moment but, upluckily for me, was not
born q diplomat and before the day was
over felt as independent as before. m
What then regarded as very fortunate
thing, found out after while to be an
unlucky matter, / could speak the Russian
language very we'll having berthed with
Russian sailor all through whaling yoy-
age There were some idioms which |
corld not get over, and some long words
which | could not pronounce, but couId
take apart in common conversation on
almost any subject. f 'sa' sei'i n
" Better not let on that you know word
of their lingo" continued the consul.
'NYou can go all over tile city, make your
purchases and do any kind OF business
without word Of Russian. If it is known
that you speak the tongue, the spies will
suspect you Of having learned II for some 4
evil purpose"
| decided to adopt the advice until /