Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-20

Among the youthful men few graybeards
were visible. Before each Law q card fast
ened to the green cloth, which marked the
seat and the name of theiowner; on the table
Law o second pack of cards. The assembly
was evidently not complete as yet; several
places were marked, but not occupied. Ace
of Clubs evidently marked the place of the
| presiding officer, because this card was lying
between a bell and strong box. The chair
was empty.
The man who had opened the second door,
returned silently to his seat while neither
advanced toward the chair before which the
Ace of Clubs was lying; he spoke to no one.
The dismal looking, cold hall might very
we'll have belonged to gambling he'll, but
nobody thought of playing and the deep
silence was not interrupted.
The clock struck $50. Miller drew key
from his pocket, opened the strong box, took
a letter from it, read it and rang the bell
Two men entered and took two of the
empty chairs. They were the men who had
watched at the doors, admitting the members
as they arrived. Miller then rang the bell
| once more.
"Gentlemen," he said in low voice, "the
Ace of Clubs cannot attend our meeting to-
day. have been duly informed and author
ity has been conferred upon me in the usual
waE."
| L
and rang the bell third time.
| "Gentlemen the session is opened"
| A IL the members present listened atten-
| lively while Miller spoke to them.
| Before we discuss the measure to be de-
| cided upon in this, our last meeting but one,
1 must excuse the absent members. Ten of
Spades is i'll, King of Clubs, Knave of
Hearts, and Eight of Hearts are prevented,
being on official duty. The secretary will
take down details and deposit them in the
strong box. We count, therefore, to-day only
| Al men, but as we are so near the end L pro-
pose not to admit any more. How do you
say?"
There came q unanimous reply, "agreedr
Secretary General! what was decided at
our last meeting?"
The man who had first admitted the ar
rivals rose and said:
| "Ace of Hearts, Knave of Diamonds and
Ten of Diamonds spoke to the satisfaction of
all and the plan proposed by them was unan-
| imously adopted. In to-days session, Teu of
Hearts, called Power is to report as to the
| measures taken"
''Ten of Hearts has the floor" said
Miller.
A young man, Colonel of one of the regi-
ments of the Foot Guards, rose and said:
"Gentlemen, my regiment follows me
wherever L go. For six months since the
work of regeneration assembled 42 bold
hearts around this table and formed this
our union; have been able to point out to
them the sacred rights of man. They know
now what soldiers honor means; they hate
slavery, as we do, and the bodily punish
ments, which demoralizes man. As soon
as the hour strikes for action you will find
me ready. Two of Clubs is able to exercise
thorough influence on all the regiments of
the guards; the six Colonels and seven cap
tains who belong to us make themselves per-
sonally responsible for their battalions and
their companies. In this way, gentlemen
you virtually command q large part of the
army now in the capital. Nine of Diamonds,
represented by the Treasurer in the Finance
Department, will be active for u.s.
II am ready even to steal for the benefit
of our country" said man of 40, as he rose.
"What have said once 1 say for all times
There are 5000, 600 of roubles in the money
chest, intrusted to me. On the appointed
day shall hand the whole sum to our
union."
The Colonel continued:
THUS we control the army which repre-
sents might, the Treasury, which means in
telligence; in all classes of society, in every
department of the administration, we have
men belonging to our conspiracy. To my
mind, gentlemen, every moments delay
only increases the danger. IhankS to our
energy, thanks especially to the secret pro-
lection of high and influential person, who
has not yet made himself known to us, we
have been able to form this gigantic plan at
the very doors of the home of tyranny-a
case so far unknown in the history of despot-
ism.
1--WE, the leaders of all Russians, who de-
mand an account from the Gear for letting
10000, 900 of subjects suffer in slavery, we
can no longer stem the current, if we do not
open a sluice somewhere. In the name of
the army demand the signal for action.
Gentlemen, say the word for which we are
impatiently waiting! Delay no longer! In
the name of the army repeat: On, for Rus
sia's sacred liberty
The Colonel sat down having produced
profound impression. Almost all the con-
the older men shook their heads.
Miller rose and said
81 second the proposition with all my
heart. The time for action has come. We
can hardly go on without arousing the at
tention of the Government. therefore pro-
pose that we hold our last meeting next Sat-
urday at 10 o'clock. Then we can assign
the duties and begin to live in deed and no
longer in word alone. We shall cease to be
conspirators, we shall be archangels of free
dom. or die as martyrsl'
All noisy demonstration had to be avoided
in this hall In Petersburg the walls have
ears and the people are alert at every un-
usual sound. Nevertheless low murmur
of satisfaction manifested itself.
(To be continued nert Sunddy.)
Copyright 1880 by Meta de Vera