The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-20
SERIOUS sTePNIAK.
The Great Russian NIhlllst NAV Be
Heard In Maine.

Sergus Stepniak, the great Russian nib;
list, journalist and novelist, is visiting Bos-
ton' accompanied by his wife, and makes his
headquarters at the Parker House. He has
Characteristic Russian head: large with
thlck Dushy hair, penetratiye eyes. and a
manner that is exceedingly pleasing from
lts simplicity and freedom from affectations.
MRS. Stepniak is lady of agreeable person
ality, with charming accent. Both speak
very good English, and there is no difficulty
In understanding what they say. Mr.. Step
MAX Is lecturing at the Hub. and on Sunday
morning last, Mr.. and Mrs. Stepniak with a
lady friend, also conpariot, received a call
from Major Pond Of the Literary Bureau.
The conversation was very interesting and.
as 1t took place In the ladies' parlor, no con-
fdences can of course be violated in making
public anything that was said.
Major Pond asked Mr.. Stepniak how long
he should remain In the country. to which
the gentleman replied he hoped to stay some
six months longer than the term of his lee
ture engagement. The Major then said that
he should like very much to have him adj
DIRE s the Chautauquan assemblies.
sand what is Chautauquau assembly ?"
said charming Mrs. Stepniak. j..
sit is" said the Major, ga grand educa-
tional gathering, something after the style Of
campmeeting, If you have any idea what
campmeetiDg is"
"Oh, yes !" replied Mr.. Stepniak. 81 have
read all about the great negro campmeetings,
and l should so like to see one, and by the
way, should like to go TO ono of your negro
churches here in Boston to see the devotion
and the remarkable excitement created by
their religious fervor."
"Oh, WE'LL" said the Major, you'd find
the service rather tame affair In Boston. II
| you want to see the real thing. where the
men and women climb the pillars of the au-
forum in order to get nearer heaven, then
you'll have to 60 to a Southern negro
church."
"Oh how should like to see that" re-
piled Stepniak; 'but to return to the Chau-
tauquan assembly. You say 1t is an educa-
tional assembly,"
"Yes," said the Major. "Thc audience
you would have before you. would be of
particularly attractive character to a man
like yourself. Imagine an assemblage of ten
thousand teachers and students from all
parts Of the country gathered amidst the
most beautiful natural scenery In the world,
and on will agree with me think that such
an audience is worth addressing"
II can imagine it," said Mr.. Stepniak,
land the sight of that sea Of intelligent faces
must prove an inspiration. But where is
this assembly held, and whepp"
"At Fryeburg. Maine said the Major, sat
one one of the loveliest spots in America,
and In fact, may say in the world. 1t
draws among Its speakers men Of the great
est celebrities In the country, at 1t comes at
the most beautiful season of the year."
'But on what should l discourse?" said
Mr.. Stepniak.
"You would find Russian Schools or
Education in Russia taking themes" said
the Major. " or any other subject you chose.
Your views of Emerson would be highly in
terestins."
"Or," said Mr.. Stepniak, show would 1t do
to choose American authors and speak of
Emerson, Howells and others. The only
difficulty would be that / should have to
read beforehand and then make my common
tories, and should have so little time"
III, odiu buo 1unJuAs yOu WOuiu uoe huu
that so difficult
81 think" said Mrs. Stepniak, shat you
would find 1t easier than you think"
'Well," said Mr.. Stepniak, II will think
1t over"
The conversation then turned upon Rus
STA. and the strict espionage kept upon
strangers. The story was told of an Ameri-
can, who, with his wife, was visiting st. Pet
ersburg, and as he walked along the street
began to whistle. A gendarme stepped up
and requested him not to whistle. The
American stared at the officer and walked on
whistllnE. Again the officer approached him
and requested him to stop. "Do you mean
It?" said the American. 81 do" said the
officer. sit attracts attention and might pre-
cipitate trouble" The American stopped,
went home and told his wife. She immedi-
ately declared she would not stay another
day in such city, and had their passports
viSed and they left the country.