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

found it advantageous to let out the secret,
but it was betrayed in a manner least ex-
pected. Mr.. Morrow had advised me to
employ guide in my first days ramble
around the city, and one stood at the door
as stepped out. ad
(which way go?" he asked, in broken
English.
"Down among the shipping" replied
caring more for the sight of a big ship than
for any spire or tower.
81 wish you would speak Russian'' he
said, in his native tongue, as we started off,
"I can use only few English words, and
you speak Russian WELL"
81 no understand" replied, after the
first shock of surprise. iHt
"Beg pardon, but you speak our Ian
guage WE'LL" he continued. "You were at
st. Petersburg two weeks, and you used
the tongue every day."
You must be mistaken you probably
refer to my uncle"
81 am not Mistaken" he went on.-
A" For instance, three blocks from the hotel
down street, at noon ON the third day of
your arrival, you asked the man who keeps
the little shop with red doors If he had any
chewing tobacco, and you purchased a
pound p 3ihi N9
made no reply, owing to my surprise,
and he continued "'
cat the hotel you asked the clerk in
Russian what time the train started, and
you used the tongue in many other in
stances. l see no reason why you should
deny it." y,a
"Nor l." replied, in Russian, laughing.
" But I'd like to know how you collected
your information ?'' o.iv isf3v-ffa,
He pretended not to have heard the
query, and Ibid not press him. We went
down to the quay, wandered among the
shipping, and it was half day before re-
turned to my quarters. If the counsel had
warned me on the setting out that the man
was spy as well as a guide, it would have
saved me much peril and affiiction in DAYS
to come. As did not SO regard the man,
he worked into my confidence without my
knowing it. Ayoung man Of twenty cannot
be expected to exercise the prudence and
discretion of his father, though he should
know enough to look at a trap before
walking into it. The fellow was great
flatterer, and he soft-soaped me neatly and
beautifully. He soon knew whatI had
come for, how long intended to stay, the
standing of my relatives, and such other
information as he wanted. 9 ii1in
On the other hand, he told me great
deal of news about himself, and gave me
much information in regard to the manners
and customs of the people. In word,
that was the pleasantest day / passed in
Russia. The spy, whose name was Vlitcby,
did not once speak of the government, and
! could not remember that l let fall any
imprudent expression except when / was
speaking Of the condition Of some very
poor and lowly people encountered on the
quay. s@
They are a miserable set, not knowing
enough to write their names OF to read a
printed ukase,' explained Vlitchy as we
stood looking at a group.
"Born in slavery, they have had no OPP
portunity to educate themselves, . / replied.
"There is not that chance in Russia for the
poor which is held out in America. -
Wherever you find kings, there look for
ignorance and vice."
The fellow shrugged his shoulders and
laughed, and he remembered my words to
my cost. The same guide attended me
next day, and then found him great
politician. He sharply criticized the czar's
financial plans and most of his laws, and
seemed well pleased whenI agreed with
him in his criticisms. Not until / had
been pumped dry did Mr. Morrow say:
"Dear me ! forgot to caution you about
saying anything before the guide; he is
said to be the keenest government SPY in
Cronsdadt." tf
The arrow had been launched, however,
and could not take back what / had said.
did not see the man again for week,
but on the fourth day Of my stay in the
city saw some one else. Mr.. Morrow was
ailing at home, aud I was in the Office
writing letters to friends In America, when
a Russian softly entered and salutod.
"Does the gentleman intend leaving
Cronsdadt tomorrow" he asked after he
had seated himself seif'aa
+" Not that am aware Of" replied.
"W When get ready to go, shall know I'm
going at least day beforehand" f