Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-04-17
CARS OWN GOURIERs.
EVERY ONE ELSE MUST GIVE
WAY FOR THEM.
How Three United States Naval Officers
Were Enabled to Make Rapid
and Easy Passage Across
the Steppes OF Siberia.

| lblS5ld. Ills WOTu Do ODtytQ.
His name commands respect in his
dominion. He is never mentioned but
in reverence by the faithful, or in a
whisper by those who would oppose
him. There is no open denunciation
of him. His acts are never criticised,
or II so, no one is aware of it except
as it results in Siberian excursion.
His most insignificant desire is never
controverted by the officials Of his
country"
The speaker was one of three lieu
tenants of the United States navy who
few years ago returned to America
from the Japan station overland
through Siberia, and thence by regular
avenues of travel TO New York, the
remark being addressed to a reporter
Of the New York Herald.
1--WE had unusual facilities for max
ing the journey" continued the officer.
Our government communicated with
the Russian minister at Washington,
he with his his home Office, and even
tually Baron Struvi, then Russian min
lister to Japan, was notified.
"Our passports were inspected and
countersigned by the baron, who in
addition gave us several personal and
open letters to be used along the route.
AS we were leaving the baron's Office
he called us back. He seemed TO
deliberate for a moment, and then
said: Gentlemen, there is one more
document that 1 can give you. You
must treat it with respect. Never use
it but in case of absolute necessity. II
possible don't use it at all. Never
present it but as q last resort, and
then, If possible, to the highest official
of the Russian government that is at
hand
The baron left the room. Pres
emily he returned and handed us a
sealed document. As he gave it 10 us
he said: i am not at liberty to dis
close the nature Of this document. You
may never use it. So far as / am
aware no foreigner has ever posses sed
the like. You arc Americans; our
governments have always been friend
ly; you are granted an unusual priv
ilege; respect my injunctions.'
1--WE thanked the baron, promised TO
follow his instructions and retired.
LAS we proceeded on our trip we
often discussed the nature of the
document. Sometimes we joked about
it. We had no occasion to use it
early in our trip, for our passports and
letters We're everywhere treated with
the greatest respect.
"Our journey was about three-quar-
tiers finished when one afternoon we
arrived at post station, all OF which
in Siberia are under military control.
"On calling for a change of horses
we were informed that we could secure
none that evening; moreover, we were
told that it might be several days or a
week before we could leave the post.
1--WE inquired the reason and re-
ceived an evasive answer. There was
a horse disease or something of that
sort, they said. We knew it be false
for the horses were all in good condi-
ton. We protested-the conversation
was in French-but we could gain no
satisfaction. The official smiled in q
provoking manner.
I'VE finally bethought ourselves Of
our mysterious document, and resolved
to present it TO the military governor
Of the post whose residence had been
pointed out to us.
1--WE called for our luggage and ar
rayed ourselves in the snowy fun dress
of a United States naval officer-cocked
hat, dress coat, gold lace and epaulets
and sword. We took our credentials
and the mysterious document and filed
up TO the governors house. We re-
solved to try the ordinary means first,
so as to learn the full efficacy Of the
missive we carried. 1 confess / was
curious about the thing.
"The governor treated us with the
marked courtesy Of u Russian military
officer. He, too, conversed in French.
He told us it was impossible for us to
leave the post, but he gave us no reason
for the detention.
1--WE had arranged before hand plan
Of procedure. So we put our heads to-
gether and talked and gesticulated in
English, OF which the Russian was ig-
norant. Finally, in dramatic man
ner, / pulled out the unknown docu-
ment and handed it to him. He broke
the seal and glanced at the contents.
THE poor man turned pale, his legs
trembled. He was SO agitated he could
hardly speak. Why did you not pre-
sent that beforeP' he said, you would
have experienced no difficulty then.
Now am liable to severe punishment
1--WE had seen many strange sights
and had passed through many strange
adventures on that Siberian trip" con-
tinued the speaker, "but the consterna-
ton of that Russian, l must confess,
frightened me.
" DO you know the nature OF this
document?' he said to us. He had evil
IDENTIFY noticed our wonderment at the
denoument.
1--WE confessed that we were ignor-
ant. why, gentlemen, he said, that
document is your appointment as especial
couriers to the car. Armed with such
a document the Russian who detains
you, who refuses TO succor you in time
OF need OF who places any obstacles in
your way is liable TO the severest pun
q -