Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-12-25
ME. HIGGINS IN RUSSIA.
Not Our Anthony But the Man with the
Troublesome Trunk.
Nav York T'fihune

Not Our Anthony But the Man with the
Troublesome Trunk.
Now York Tribune
Our attention has been called as the irate
man says who writes a scathing letter to
the editor about an article in the EDITORS
paper which he sat up all night to see and
read on bis front door-steps by the uncer-
tain light of the early dawn--our atten-
ton has been called, we repeat, to the ex-
perience of Mr. William H. Higgins of
Indianapolis, Ind, in Russia, as told in a
New York dispatch to The Indianapolis
Gar were so noteworthy that we feel that
we should speak of them Tor the benefit of
other travellers who may be going there.
When Mr., Higgins left this country, ac-
cording to his own account, he carried the
biggest United States passport which he
could get 1t had an American eagle, ram
pant, at the top. This eagle was the delight
of Mr.. Higgins heart all the way across
the ocean. 1t had long, sharp claws, i'm
mense wings, a full set of tail feathers and
bill that was truly frightening to look at.
"Ah," thought Mr.. Higgins, when the
officers of that effete monarchy look at that
bird their teeth will chatter so that they'll
have to put pads on 'em" But Mr.. Hig-
gins was mistaken. When his ship landed
at st. Petersburg an officer asked to see his
passport. Mr.. Higgins drew it out
it and told Mr.. Higgins that it was
worthless and that he should have
to arrest him. Mr.. Higgins it seemed,
should have stopped in Stockholm and
had the Russian Consol sign his passport.
Mr.. Higgins was angry and offered to go
on the pier with the official and fight it out
with him. If Higgins whipped he was to
stay, if the official was victorious Higgins
would 60 back in the same ship by which
he had arrived. The official declined,
though Mr.. Higgins took off his coat and
dared him. About this time full
took charge of Mr.. Higgins. Half Of them
! fell iii behind and half in front, and
with, two bands playing Russian national
airs he was marched to Jail. Mr.. Higgins
| tied his passport on his cane and waved it
and hurrahed for liberty few times, but
it didn't seem to do any good. When they
| reached the police headquarters some off
Gals held long consultation in the Rus
sian language, which Mr.. Higgins does not
understand, and at least decided to let him
| go, but told him not to stay at any hotel.
He asked for permit to leave the country,
but this was refused him. Mr.. Higgins
now found himselfin a peculiar position;
he could not leave the country, he could
not stay at any hotel and he had no friends
anywhere with whom he could stay.
Mr.. Higgins walked out from police
headquarters an American Wandering
Jew Clearly he must stay somewhere
the Russian climate is not favorable to
sleeping under a tree-so he decided to dis
regard the instructions about hotels, and
went to one and registered with a stub pen
in bold, black hand. But it did not
work-the police looked at his passport,
shook their heads, and the proprietor told
him that he must go. So he took his trunk
by one handle, and, dragging it behind
him, went out. lie subsequently Josh
Whitcombed that trunk, if we may so ex-
press it. all over the broad empire of Russia.
lie would usually manageeto stay in hotel
| about two hours, when he would have to
drag his trunk downstairs and look for
another stopping place. He had to get
/ new handles put ON his trunk four times
and new bottom twice. He became so
accustomed to having the trunk rattlin5
along behind him that even when he
walked out in the country to look at the
scenery he took it with him. He used to
attract considerable attention and was
| frequently escorted out of town by regi-
ment of soldiers. On such occasions, as q
delicate compliment to him the band would
play our national airs. Finally, when he was
at Moscow, so Mr.. Higgins says, it occurred
to him to see if the thing could not be
fixed up on a financial basis, something he
claims that he succeeded in doing with a
city official the consideration being $50.
Mr.. Higgins, with his amended passport
and his trunk, then took the first train for
the frontier. He arrived in this country
safely few days ago, and is now anxious
to arrange a six-day walking match with
some pedestrian, each man to drag 100
pound trunk behind him. If all that Mr..
Higgins tells is true, it would be well for
any one of our readers who may be going
to Russia to be sure that their passports are
what they should be or to carry very light
trunks with wheels on them.