Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-31

out was rudely disappointed
ner Of the yard. aNow then. drnnkards.
shoulder your brooms," was the order
gasped as remembered the delightful sumpt-
nary law that is in force at St. Petersburg.
The paternal Russian government showing a
noble disinterestedness. so different from our
sordid government at home, which demands
five shillings, and don't do IL again." or the
sterner forty shillings or q month";" in ac-
cordance with the interview you have had be-
forehand with the immaculate policeman who
mad taken you. The Russian government dis
dams draining you of your cash, but provides
You with a broom. no matter what your
social status and sets You to clean her patri-
arohal streets. While these thoughts were
passing through what I once regarded ms my
intellect my more nimble and practiced CON-
panions had chosen their brooms, leaving two,
which dapper little Frenchman and gingerly
picked up. am not a connoisseur in brooms
bur can safely answer that mine was, without
exception. the most disrep6table-looking broom
ever handled. The Frenchman had the twin,
but mine gloried in its bad pre-eminence.
I'm the guest of the great white car, and
no mistake" thought. "A palace and po-
lice celia brougham and broom-this is in
deed treat" My philosophical reflections
were interrupted by an incident not uncon-
nected with the point of a gendarme's sword
tbs wonderful how quickly you see the point
OF some things-and the procession started
We were marched through several streets
until we reached our field of action, and were
arranged In line across the broad thorough
fare. glanced at my brothers in affection on
each side OF me-one was a very frowsy caftan-
clad moujik, the other was the dapper little
Frenchman, wielder of the twin broom ..Se-
bastopol and Moscow are avenged" bitterly
thought as l heard him sacreihg, while re-
marked, Godfrey Daniel" and commenced
to sweep the muddy road. Cheer
up 1 said in French" "its fine
healthy exercise" He promptly uncorked
the walls of his wrath: "His Leonie was all that
was distinguee and charmante, but his sacre-
bleu mama in-law, helasr' and learned that
she had been interfering in the domestic me-
mage, and he, Jules, had been worsted in the
war Of words, and had fed into the night to
seek comfort in the flowing bowl, and that he
had snapped his fingers at gendarme. evidently
with an hereditary hatred of Frenchmen. who
had incontinently locked him up. My sympa-
thetlc listening to his woes as / scrubbed the
lean earth, was interrupted by the ripple of
silvery laughter and looked up to see those
two nihilists, katinka and Voleska, who had
come out of their way they went to the
Carmelite hospital TO see the fun.
Don't speak TO me, you deceitful hussiesr'
roared, as l shook the disreputable mud
covered broom at them. Noleska laughed till
she cried, and Katinka leaned against the lamp
post and screamed
''Silence in the ranks. rapscalions," shouted
the sergeant commanding; pile your brooms."
threw mine on heap in a cart. Catch hold
OF those wheelbarrows, fall in line. first man
march back to the police station " Sometimes
| effect precedes cause. thought as looked at
my ''wheelbarrow effect-my-
self cause-thank goodness. here VIC are and 1
can get off now"
"Tll wait for YOU" whispered the French
man as the names and addresses were rapidly
taken down. and / came last on the list
| thanked him with grateful look. and my late
companions rapidly dispersed. But my special
| troubles were not yet ended Without think
ing l gave my right address at the palace in
the Nevskoi prospect The inspector on duty
giared at me through his gold-rimmed spec
| tacles. saw my error; il was much the same
as when recollected a very disreputable and
brazen Fenian, at the time of the rising in Dub
lin in 1867, giving his name as Lord Abercorn
| and his address at the viceregal lodge when he
was arrested, which name and address, the
police inspector afterward solemnly assured
| the magistrate, ''the police had on inquiries
ascertained to be false;" and was about to be
put back for contumacy and inquiries. when
| bethought me of Mrs. Dawkins' letter, the
only thing left to me, and showing them
the address they came TO the sapieLt conclu-
| sion that L was a tutor they had known Of
| ticially-Jack Stonybroke, whilom of Caius-
and CURLY told me to be off. NV friendly
| trenchman was outside. and as had told him
how had been robbed we had a welcome glass
OF vodka, and after brush up" returned to
| the palace.
Although it was early found Count Iabinski
already returned. He flew at me and en-
braced me warmly. / did not mind on this
special occasion; he was pale and anxious
though he frightened up considerably.
MY friend, my betrothed and sister and
| are in great trouble They had received an
anonymous letter warning them that you we're
! IN great danger of the nihilist and the writer
| begged them to ask you to return to England
at once. hurried back, but you had gone out;
you did not return all night; il anything should
happen to you or the passport 1 should have TO
kill myself else the ear would send me to
Siberia. See. courtiers never know when the
| claws will show through the glove" and he
opened a ring he habitually wore, showing me
tiny fang. If the emperor uttered the word
| Siberia press that poison fang" and he
| shuddered.
oh" gasped in horror; my poor dear
| chum, L have seen the nihilists; 1 cannot tell
You anything, but they have got my passport"
The count gave little gasping sob and
swooned. hastily used all the remedies could
think of and brought him to.
Count, dear count, it NAV not be so bad:
find out for me Prince Mamonoff; / will beg
him to restore it."
what" he shouted, Demetrief- Mamonofrs
brother?"
Yes
.'Why, he is my betrotheds uncle. will go
to him at once and throw myself at his feet.
Your English face is SO unlike any nihiist's
they cannot make use of the passport" and
seizing his hat, he hurried from the palace
Ny reflections were not enviable and 1 de-
termined to return to England at once. sat
telling her should forever remain single fol
her sake; that forgave her and loved her.
then wrote various letters of farewell. and
while engaged on the last the count returned.
He was deadly pale and trembled convusively
Without saying a word he went to the buffet
and drained a tumbler of brandy, then he
turned to me; twice he tried to speak. Then,
in husky voice, so different from his usual
bright, chirping accents. he said to me, as,
with nerveless uncertain hands, he fumbled at
his breast pocket, Here is the passport; have
had to pay a deadly price for it. L know too
much, and have been compelled to take the
oaths or die. / am now a nihilist," and the
poor little courtier broke down and cried bit
terly.
We looked at each other blankly for some
minutes.
.'See," said, as pointed to the pile of Lett
ters-to his relations among others. II
nodded; he understood.
1T is better So" he replied. "when will you
return?"
Though I shall be deeply grieved to leave
you, my dear chum," said affectionately, 1.-THE
sooner the better; tomorrow; you must come
over and visit me-"
"You forget am not my own master now"
he replied sadly; IF my master, the nihilists,
let me, will"
ITO make sure the passport is safe, shall
return it to the ambassador with my best
thanks as soon I get back" said to him
next day. He frightened up and he gave me
aft te