Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-07
outer shutter. Immediately the lamp was


turned up to its full capacity, while the ma
Jorlty OF the assembly disappeared through
various outlets, SO that il the police forced an
entrance they would find apparently nothing
more shan few persons enjoying social inter
course and drinking tea not unusual sight.
Inc alarm proved false and ali returned to
their seats, the light was again lowered and
the work was continued
-
Dr. Ursuroff, the president, was handsome
man of perhaps forty years, who had identified
himself with the nihilists for the last ten years.
Madame Anne Popoff, in whose house the
meeting was held, was the vice president. She
was afterward arrested as a suspect and died in
prison. Her history was particularly sad one.
She had beautiful daughter, Maianys, who at
the age of seventeen was arrested with a num-
Der of other students; she was of delicate con-
stitution and the shock and confinement
brought on rapid consumption, and she soon
joined the numberless victims gone before.
The father died of broken heart, and on his
death bed begged his faithful wife to avenge
their childs death by every means in her
power Possessing ample means she be-
came devoted nihilist, and many
were the plots arranged in her home IN
der the very eyes of the police officers.
There were also present several young ladies,
students of neighboring college, fair young
girls just budding into womanhood. most of
whom are now in exile, while others either
soNCOhhpeI 10 the lOnS journey 10 OlDtrla or
died in prison. My heart is sad indeed when,
on taking retrospect of the past, l see
arrayed before me the faces of the noble men
and women who offered themselves sac
rltce on the altar of freedom. That evening
for the first time saw Sophie Peroyskayr,
whose name VIII be handed down through all
eternity. She had a noble face full of sub
lime enthusiasm, but / soon learned she was
z member of the terrorist party, which up to
that tune knew very little about. Her
rapid and vehement utterances rather startled
me at hrst, but 1 soon grew accustomed to her
forcibie denunciation of the car and his
government. / saw her once afterward. when
the almost fatal act of displaying the precon-
certed signal was assigned as her part in the
forthcoming tragedy. When questioned in re-
Sard To her fear of consequences she replied,
Il know no fear; no greater honor than this
could be conferred upon me-" Poor Sophie
feroyskayr, nobly born. gently nurtured, ended
her life through the hangman's rope and finds
rest III name!ess grave. Her co-workcr, Jela-
boH, was also present. but he did not impress
me 1avorably; he was too erratic in his CONVEX
sation. There were many other notable per-
sons present, but 1t would occupy too much
space to give individual histories.
After We had spent some time in converse
ton the secretary motioned for silence; he
dare not rap for fear of attracting attention
from outside the house. Some of our people
had lately joined the secret police for the
purpose of learning what people and houses
were suspected and the president had re-
celved an infallibie warning that we would
have to be very careful. All eyes were turned
TO the secretary, who proceeded to read cypher
letters from the different provinces, which an
nounced the number of arrests and where
arrested, the progress the cause making
and an account of the work accomplished by
agents of the society. The expenses for the
Un hnnt rod 10 hn NttlNI n1
while the contributions amount TO Loss rou-
b!es. The balance iii the treasury was stated
to be about 10000 roubles. 1t apparently
a large sum to have on hand but they were
reserying their funds for a special purpose.
1hey intended increasing their field OF opera
ton. Madame Anne Ivanovna was ordered to
the province OF SaratoH to take II position as
teacher and at the same time disseminate
nihilism. One of the high dil,nitaries OF the
empire secured her the position. His name.
though well known throughout the world.
cannot mention here. He was aware of her
object. Michael Isakoff was ordered to the
shores of the river Volga. there 20 labor among
the Starovers or Old Faith men. These people
are bitterly opposed to the car ana his govern
ment and hesitate not to avenge the insults
heaped on their forefathers. They are
powerful factor in the empire and have always
allied themselves to the nihilist cause. Isakoff,
being rich, was expected to defray his own ex-
penses. Next several names were proposed for
which amounted to $50 roubles, including $50
roubles sent by NJ. Philipoff of the Rizan prov
lnce. The chairman thanked the members for
the noble work they had performed and en-
couraGed them to further good deeds in the
future; then. after bestowing on me my new
name of Soukinsynoff (no nihilist is known by
his own name), declared the business part of
the meeting concluded. Music is not apt TO
arouse suspicion, so we enjoyed some fine sing
ing OF russian songs and piano solo. We in
dull tan 4
sian subjects, cigarette smoking, varied by
pleasant conversation on various subjects.
About IL pm. the meeting was adjourned.
The room selected for meeting in is invariably
provided with ire place, IN which all papers
are destroyed before separating. This work
usually falls to the secretary's lot. So Madame
Sophie Pauiovna, the person filling that Office,
destroyed all the CIPHER letters and documents
used during the evening. Thus was every trace
OF our secret assigned TO the flames.
-
Our leave taking was made in hushed whis-
pering, and our departure conducted in the
same stealthy manner III which our entrance
had been effected. Two went first, who recon-
noitered the street outside. and at prear-
ranged signal given at O short distance from
the house two more ventured forth. In this
way was the gradual dispersion of the assembly
accomplished, and each one reached his home
without having excited the suspicion of the po-
lice. On stormy nights such as / have Just
described particular caution was required, as
many people on the street at once would lead
to questioning and perhaps an investigation
We separated with hearts full of hope for the
cause. But of the members present that even
ing three never saw again. Sophie Perovsk-
ayr, as previously told, died by the hangman's
hands. Jelabof shared the same fate, while
Elinkof yielded up his life from the effects of
the same bomb which so cruelty killed his i'm
perial master. Such is the life Of the nihilist
in Russia. But as every cloud has silver lin
ing, we can only hope that the cloud will dis
appear and the silver lining make its presence
felt, across which will be written the one word
Freedom" IVAN SMIRNoFF.