The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-22
AN ESCAPED CONVICT.
Why the 'Politzia" Did Not Take
Him the Third Time.


the ranks. l began life much as other
mill-hands do; but my head was set the
right way on my shoulders, and got to be
an overlooker Five and twenty years
ago, when a great English firm, whose
operations extend over many parts of
Russia, started a cotton mill at Ekaterin-
burg, | was offered post as manager.
Ekaterinburg is, as dare say you know,
on the Siberian side of the Ural Noun
tains, and in the heart of the Government
mining districts. A man thinks twice be-
fore he transports himself and his family
TO slch place, but / had made up my
mind to get on, and this was good chance
70 one in nv position.
was not disappointed. | looked after
the mill, and it prospered. We north
country operatives are a thrifty folk, and
like living in plain way. Isaved money:
and as 1t was the policy of the firm TO keep
me in my post, and to give me a personal
interest in the undertaking, was allowed
to invest my few hundred of roubles in
the mill.
These commonplace particulars about
my own affairs can have very little in
terest for you, sir. / only tell them be-
cause otherwise you would scarcely under
stand what has to follow
One evening, late in our short Russian
summer, when the long days were fast
drawing in, we were in our family sitting
room. engaged with some of the mill ac-
when Lottie, our eldest daughter, rushed
in, and, without a word, tainted right
away on the floor
This did not more frighten my wife and
myself than it surprised US, for Lottie was
a sensible girl, aud had never given way
H. 90, 8,
that 1t must have taken good deal to up
set her in that way, and as soon as we had
contrived TO bring her round, we made her
tell us what had been the matter.
1t seemed that she had been alone in her
room, when, turning suddenly towards the
window, she became aware of 4 face
pressed closely against the glass and
glaring at her. What the face was like
she was unable to describe, but it appeared
too ugly and horrible for a human being.
If il could have been called that of a man
or woman, she said, she should not have
been so frightened.
went out and looked round the house.
Nothing was to be seen. We knew Lottie
10 be sensible girl, but were inclined to
think that her fancy must have played her
trick for once.
After time my wife left the room to ses
about our supper. Ny wife (she has been
dead now this nine years) had as strong
nerves any woman that | ever knew
nothing ever seemed to knock her off her
balance. Well, she came back in a minute
or two, and beckoned me to the door. She
was calm enough, but l could see by her
face that something was wrong. She
would not say what she had to say before
the girl for fear of frightening her again.
So she whispered to me outside: "Lottie
must have been right, there is something
about. Whend opened the door of the
lfUHOrpagD lar hot isl
something at the window. Whatever it
may have been it took alarm, and did not
let me see it; but it has left its marks on
the lattice"
l followed her silently to the kIddorOy.
All was now quiet there. l examined the
Tortochkd-as in Russia we call the little
window OF such place. In summer time
its glass easement was removed, and it was
nDw only protected by lattice of crossed
strips of fir-wood. These strips were
slightly displaced, as if some one had tried
TO force them out, and thus to gain en-
trance. The JOrtOchkd was about large
enough to have admitted the body of
man.
Nothing was to be seen by looking out;
for though a reasonable amount of twi-
light still remained, it was only enough to
show things with any distinctness in
the open, and 1 had sheltered the back of
our house by planting a number of young
should go back to Lottie and that | would
stay where l was for bit, and see whether
the robber-if it was a arobber-would come
again.
1t was scarcely to be called late, vet it
was too late for any of our mill people to be
about, and they were our only neighbors.
Indeed, we had no near neighborS. Nv
house, and one adjoining it (intended for
another employe, but at that time unoccu-
piedl stood partly within the high wooden
fence which inclosed the mill: that is,
their backs opened into the inclosure (the
dvOr, as we call it), while their fronts
looked on public thoroughfare. Thus our
back premises were strictly private after
the gates to the mill had been closed; and
the person-if it was 8 person-who had
got to the windows must either have Sc
icreted himself within the door, or have
gained access to it in some improper man.
ner. Now, however, all was still as could
be.
Down sat, to watch, close by the door
of the kladOuOy. l chose a dark corner,
and one where, in the dusk, it would have
been hard matter to see me, but / had
full view of the lattice. l waited till my
patience was beginning to wear out, and
then fancied that / heard some slight
sound outside under the fortOchkd. 1t was
so slight that at first / was not sure
whether it might not be merely fancy, but
after little pause heard it again, louder
and more distinctly. ] sat still as a mouse,
and kept q sharp lookout.
Slowly and gradually something raised
itself before the opening. 1t was head;
but in the uncertain light could not say
whether it was a human head or that of
some brute creature. Whichever it might
be, could see enough of it to know that it
was such wild, haggard, unearthly look
ing thing as / had never looked upon be-
fore. ANY quantity Of shaggy hair was