The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-20
A H0OS|ER IN RUSSIA.
MIR. Higgins, Indianapolis, Ind,
U. S. A.. Journeys the Land
Of the Gar.
His Passport Not in Due Form
and He Had not Where to
Roost.
He Dragged His Saratoga all Over the
Russian Empire-Adyicc to Other
Pilgrims.

Our attention has been called, as the
irate man says who writes a scathing letter
to the editor about an article in the ed
itor's paper which he sat up all night to see
and read on his front doorsteps by the un-
certain light of the early dawn-our atten-
tion has been called, We repeat, says the
New York Tribune, to the experience of
William L. Higgins. of indianapolis, Ind,
in Russia, as told in a New York dispatch
to the Indianapolis News. His adventures
in the land of the car we're SO
noteworthy that We feel that we
should speak of them for 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. It had an American eagle, RAM
pant, at the top. This eagle was the delight
of Mr.. Higgins heart all the way across the
ocean. It had long, sharp claws, immense
wings, a full set Of tail feathers, and a 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 EN-" But Mr.. Higgins was
mistaken. When his ship landed at st.
Petersburg an officer asked to see his
passport. Mr.. Higgins drew it out with a
flourish. The official looked at it and told
Mr.. Higgins that it was worthless and that
he should nave to arrest him. Mr.. Hi9-
gins, it seemed, should have stopred in
Stockholm and had the Russian consul sign
his passport. Mr.: Higgins was angry and
offered to go on the pier with the official
whipped he WAS to stay, il the official was
victorious Higgins was to go back in the
same ship by which he had arrived.
The official declined, though Mr.. Hig-
gins took off his coat and dared. him
About this time a full regiment Of soldiers
marched up and took charge OF Mr.. Hig-
gins. Half Of them fell in behind and half
in front, and with tao bands playing Rus
sian national airs he was marched to mil.
Mr.. Higgins tied his passport on his cane
and waved it and hurrahcd for liberty q
few times. but it didn't seem to do any
good. When thew reached tho police head
quarters some officials held a long consuita-
ton in the Russian language, which Mr..
Higgins does not understand, and at last
decided to let him 20, but told him not to
stay Mt any hotel. Heasked for a permit to
leave the country, but this was refused him.
Mi. Higgins now found himself in n pecu-
liar position. He could not leave the coun-
try, he could not stsy at any hotel, and he
had no friends anywhere with whom he
could stay.
Mr.. Higgins walked out from police head
quarters an American Wondering Jew"
Clearly he must stay somewhere-the Rus
sian climate IL not favorable to sleeping
under a tree-so he decided to disregard the
in Instructions about hotels and went to one
and registered with a stub pen In a 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 20. So he took his trunk by one han
dis and, dragging ii behind him, went out.