Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-10-24
THE STOLEN PASSPORTS.
An Incident of Military Life on
the Russian Frontier.

An Incident Oh MuttdIy AAAO OA
the Russian Frontier
was lust sitting down for quiet
ayening by the stove, when an orderly
threw the door open and rushed into the
ROOM
..Captain Sasha, Dispatch" he cried,
handing me one of those little official
blue en- yelopes which knew SO we'll.
tore It omen and read the contents:
..ro oaptain Sasha Commander OF Frontier
e,ation on the vistufa: Detain Ivan Brosky
and Vladimir Program. They will reach you
shortly. YEN snAh 'onnn-
"A bad night for travellers to be on
the road / could not help thinking.
for the rain was falling in torrents.
was commander of the Russian from
ter station at Dana, which lies on the
great highroad between Russia and the
Austrian city of Cracow, and only half
mile distant was the river Vistula,
which divides the dominions Of the EN-
peror Francis Joseph from the dominions
OF the Gar
1t was my duty to examine the pass
ports of all travellers coming either way,
and to scrutinize their luggage, to see
that no Russian products were Struggled
into Austria, or vice versa.
For the last few days there had been
little to do. Warm weather--unususl
at this time of the year-had set in, and
the roads we're in bad condition for
travelling
The dispatch had just received had
been brought on horseback from the
al n1, +at us HvQ
miles distant, and from the signature
at the bottom I knew it must be a mat
ter of some Importance, for General
Jorka was the Minister of Police, and
HE very name was a terror to evil doors.
| instructed my men to watch the
roads with extra care.
The evening wore on slowly, and at
midnight no one had arrived. I came
to the conclusion that the expected
travellers had either been apprehended
before they reached the frontier or had
postponed their journey on account of
bad weather, so / determined to go to
bed and enjoy good nights rest
The wind and rain kept me awake a
long while, and just as was about
dropping off into slumber the sound of
sleigh bells woke me up again, and in a
moment or two sharp tap at the door
summoned me downstairs. l dressed
and went down.
Two travellers were waiting to see me;
two big, powerful fellows, wrapped up
in furs and great coats, which they kept
closely buttoned, for the fire had gone
out, | judged at once that these were
fha I taI thnunh thai
furs and clothes gave evidence of
wealth and refinement, their faces
hardly seemed to accord.
But surprise was in store for me.
When they handed over their passports
found, to my CONSERVATION, that they
bore the names OF Alexis Zamose and
Sergius Melikoff, and were properly
stamped and signed.
To hide my confusion made some in
quiries, and they very frankly informed
me that they were merchants of St
Petersburg who were going to Cracow
on business.
Had they met any person on the
road?' inquired.
Yes" said the smooth-faced man
they had passed two men early in the
evening, but their horses seemed to bt
lame and they were moving very slew
ly."
lhesitated moment and then ordered
en- examination to be made of theil
baggage, proceeding to which they
made no objection. Every thing IL
thelr valises, however, was all right
and their linen and toilet cases wer,
stamped with their initials.
| felt that l had no authority to de
tain them, and yet hated to see then
90, for had presentiment that all wa
not right. To add to my suspicious thu
man with the beard was nervous an(
agitated, fact which he did his utmos
to conceal.
knew too we'll, however, what woul,
ns the result of blunder committe,
through excess of authority, so I deter
mined to be on the safe side, and after
oeiay, which / stretched out as far q
possible, told them they were free t.
proceed.
escorted them to the door, where
so"' one-seated sleigh awaited them
u.a"n by pair of horses, which / sa,
giance had been hard driven.
INC last moment had half mad
w my mind to detain them. but with
oAssy salute they stepped into the sleigl
and drove rapidly eastward, where daw
was already dappling the sky.
mere was no use of going back I
oea' so went in and stirred up the fir,
snu sat down to smoke cigar and wa
sor daylight
VOW that it was too late, felt sorry
. .au let the men go, for the more
thusnt over 1t, the more certain I fe
th has 'nere was something wrong abo,
W n1 gu, 1t had stopped raining and begu
~ oiow up cold, and saw that 1t woul
probably be busy day.
mad already finished breakfast, whe
sampiing of horses and tinkling