Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-07

require strong determination allied To in
dOmitable will to fulfill them to the letter" Tn
to this time had not spoken. | was pOnderiu,
deeply on all had heard. The chairman pos
sibly installing my silence for cOwartlice again
addressed me, saying: Now for the last time in
the name OF your country and all you hold
dear are you ready and willing TO assume these
obligations" l was somewhat awed by the
solemnlty of the occasion, but found strength
10 say IN 4 clear, distinct voice, Il am ready and
determined to take upon myself all RESPONSE
bilities mentioned and become a member OF
the secret order of nihilists." The chairman
again spoke. Brethren. if any person present
has any objection to interpOse against this
man becoming member of this band let him
or her state them or forever after hold their
peace" No dissenting voice being raised he or
dered the removal of the mask { was then
told 70 face the assembly and hear the nihilis-
TIC or iron oath administered to me. This
oath IS most binding in its obligations to per-
form all things allotted TO you, even to taking
life itself You are compelled to swear that
you will be faithful in ali things and stop at
nothing which will advance the cause That all
your acts will be guided by the greatest Sc
crecy. At the conclusion you are made to swear
that you regard yourself the sworn foe OF
the despotic car and his government. and that
you viii use every means within your power to
compass their destruction. There was some
thing so uncanny or weird about the whole
affair that II left deep and lasting impress
sion on my mind. The dimly lighted room,
the awed but eager faces which surrounded
me, can never Danish from my memory. In
my later and more mature years look back
shudderingly and realize how recklessiy I
offered my own life to sacrifice ana how will
ingly swOre to take the lives of others if an
imaginary necessity demanded it. II was not
until had taken the oath that learned how
mixed was the assembly which had witnessed
my remuneration Of self.
There sitting together were officers of the
army and navy. the members of the imperial
guard, government officials Of high rank pro-
lessons, students, gendarmes. merchants and n
few peasants. A common cause made all eoual
and member of the imperial guard clasped
thu hand of his brother peasant. All class dis
tinetions were forgotten in the strug gle for
freedom. In the center of the room stood a
long table covered with a white cloth. On this
was placed q samovar and the usual accompani-
nnents OF Russian tea. There was also wine for
those who cared to partake Of it. One single
lamp. suspended from the ceiling by chains
wa, the only light vouchsafed us 10 relieve the
almost midnight darkness. Dark shadows
Iurked in the corners and many Of the
faces were scarcely visible in the gloom. As
/ was the only new member and my past
one of sympathy with the cause, all talked
unrestrainediy In my presence, and i was
amazed to learn how thoroughly the work was
organized. Every precautlon was taken to
insure the utmost quiet in all We said or did.
Once our hostess became greatly excited be-
hsviag she heard some one trying 70 open the