Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-08-29
A Startling Adventure.
"Robinson, the boss wants you |"


ley & Co., corn merchants, was bit of
a Tartar, as | had learned to my cost.
whats the row now?" | demanded of
my fellow-clerk; ''has he got scent of
our Nicolaief escapade, or what is it ?"
"No idea," said Gregory "the old
boy seems in good enough humor /;
some business matter, probably. But
don't keep him waiting" So, summing
up an air of injured innocence, to be
ready for all contingencies, marched
into the lions den.
Mr.. Dickinson was standing before
the fire in Briton's time -honored atti-
tude and motioned me into a chair in
front Of him. "Mr. Robinson" he said,
81 have great confidence in your dlscre-
tion and common-sense. The follies of
youth will break out, but l think that
you have sterling foundation to your
character underlying all superficial
levity."
| bowed.
81 believe" he continued, .that you
can speak Russian pretty fuently."
bowed again.
81 have, then," he proceeded, "a mis-
sion which l wish you to undertake, and
upon the success of which your promo
tion may depend. l would not trust it
to subordinate, were it not that duty
ties me to my post at present"
"You may depend upon my doing my
best. sir" | replied.
Fright, sir, quite right! What l
wish you to do is briefly this: The line
of railway has just been opened to Sol
teff, some hundred miles up the country.
Now wish to get the start of the other
Odessa firms in securing the produce of
that district, which l have reason to be-
lieve may be had at very low prices.
You will proceed by rail to Soltef and
interview a Mr.. Dimidoff, who is the
largest landed proprietor in the town.
Make as favorable terms as you can with
him. Both Mr.. Dlmidof and myself
wish the whole thing to be done as quiz
etly as possible; in fact, that nothing
should be known about the matter until
the grain appears in Odessa. l desire
it for the interests of the firm, and Mr..
Dimidof on account of the prejudices
his peasantry entertain against exporta-
tion. You will find yourself expected
at the end of your journey. and will
start tonight. Money shall be ready
for your expenses. Good morning. Mr..
Robinson; hope you won't fail to re-
alize the good opinion 1 have of your
abilities"
was so charmed at being, as it were,
behind the scenes, that crept about the
office all day in sort of cloak-and-
bloody-dagger style with responsibility
and brooding care marked upon every
feature, and when at night | stepped out
and stole down to the station, the un-
prejudiced observer would certainly
have guessed, from my behavior, that ]
had emptied the contents of the strong
box before starting, into that little va.
lise of Gregory's. 1t was imprudent IL
him, by the way. to leave English labels
pasted all over it. However / could
only hope that the 'Londons" and the
'.Birminghams" would attract no atten
tion, or, at least, that no rival corn
merchant might deduce from them wh'
| was and what my errand might be.
Having paid the necessary rouble
and got my ticket ensconced myself il
the corner of the snug Russian car ant
pondered over my good fortune. Dick
inson was growing old now and if
could make my mark in this matter j
might be great thing for me. Dream
arose of partnership in the firm. TIL
noisy wheels seemed to clank out "Bai
| lev, Robinson & Co." in a monotonou
refrain, which gradually sank into
hum, and finally ceased as l droppe
into deep sleep. Had I known tn
experience that awaited me at the en-
of my journey it would hardly hav
been so peaceable.
| awoke with an uneasy feeling tha
some one was watching me closely, nc
was I mistaken. A tall dark man ha
taken up a position on the seat opposite
and his black sinister eyes seemed
look through me, and beyond me, as
he wished to read my very soul. The
l saw him look down at my little trunl
"Good heavens !'' thought I, "here
Simpkins' agent, l suppose. 1t Wa
careless of Gregory to leave those col
founded labels on the valise.''
I closed my eyes for time, but Q
reopening them [ again caught tt
strangers earnest gaze.
From England, see." he said
Russian, showing a row of white teet
in what was meant to be an amiab
smile.
"Yes," l replied, trying to look u
concerned, but painfully aware of n
failure.
Travelling for pleasure, perhaps
said he.