The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-17
A RUDE AWAKENING
BY FRED w HISHA "
Author of Adventures of a stowaway," Boris, the Bear
Hunter" "a Romance of the Woods" "a
Cars Gratitude" etc.

and / should say IL is a very good dust
ness. IL one may judge from the style IN
which Tommy lives. Tommy does MN
self very well indeed-to use a homeiy eN-
pression-and during my fortnight eN-
perience Of the Cars capital / learnt the
ways OF wicked luxury
we dined at home that night. because we
wished 10 discuss an ice-yachting eXcur-
sion we intended 20 make on the following
day. the weather being Of the particular
kind which Is favorable for this sport
one can only enjoy a spin in an ice yacht
while the winter IS still young and the
masses OF snow which are sure TO come
afterwards have not as yet smotnered
the smooth ice Of the frozen Gull of Fin
land a yard deep in their sport-spoiling
embrace. The wind blew from the north
east
I'VE shall run down the gulf at forty
miles an hour said Arnold. You're in
1uck sonny: I haven't had a decent run
FOR three years: there's always snow or
thax. or a dead calm on the only day.
But. to-morrow-Grea Scott. how we shall
spin. If the wind holds."
Tommy spoke in Joyous tones; it was
clear that such a spin as he described
was a thing TO delight the heart. 1, toe,
began 10 feel joyous in anticipation. l
had tried most forms Of outdoor amuse-
ment, but never this, Tommy's enthusiasm
infected me. and dinner ran its course mer-
rily. In the midst Of it the servant an
nounced that one Platonof had called.
finding the office closed. upon a matter OF
Importance.
/ expected that Tommy would begin TO
curse and 10 swear. for he is one who does
not like TO be disturbed at meals. but he
received the announcement without emo
ton. ASK him into the study" he said.
Presently Arnold excused himself and
left the room. This chap owes me a good
fish sum of money" he explained, which
was to have been paid in to-day. but
wasn't: he may have brought it. Excuse
me a second. viii your"
He was not absent long. In five minutes
or less ne reappeared. carrying d great
bundle Of Russian bank notes.
Look at that" he said with a laugh.
81 suppose 1 ought to thank heaven I've
got my money; but look what the silly fell
lows done. Not content with bringing it
after hours, he must needs pay the whole
sum in notes-ten thousand roubles! What
am 1 to do with it? It's a thousand pounds
too much to have knocking about in the
house"
SEM y NOuI GAAA anu d - n
up in the safe" 1 suggested, and Arnold
adopted the idea.
It'll give you al opportunity of seeing a
typical Russian faithful servant" he said.
'PavIof has been fifteen years in our office
much longer than 1 have, in fact-and his
devotion to me is doglike."
That's all right as long as he's honest"
I said.
Tommy turned upon me. "Honest?" he
said. He'd cut his throat with a sharp
ened sixpence rather than rob me of it."
You're in luck to have such a chap" I
told him.
Yes. it's nice to have some one one can
trust absolutely, isn't it," said Tommy.
Now. we had a clerk-another Russian
who had been swindling US in a small way
for years. We only found him out a few
months since, hanks to this same Pavlof."
The gentleman in question appeared half
an hour later; ne was a civilized-looking
person, correctly dressed. and he sat down
and smoked a cigar with us, after going
through the formality of making a slight
demur as though the honor were almost
greater than he ought to consent 20; but
the fellow was too gushing for my simple
taste. When Tommy crossed the room TO
count and fetch the bundle of notes. Mr..
Pavlof launched out into a description of
his employers virtues and Of his own devo-
ton TO him. II would lay down my life for
him. he declared, speaking fair English,
and not so softly. I thought. but that Ar
mold must hear very plainly If he hap
pened TO be listening. "Our relations are so
pleasant" he said. Imagine, now. the
trust he must have in me; here is $1,000; 1
give no receipt-he ask none. Very good. 1t
IS a large sum OF money-how know he L
run not away with it tonight? All, because
he know my devotion TO him is rare, is
true. is beautiful"
The Russian police are wonderfully
clever. too. 1 have been told" 1 could not
help saying. 1T would be an extremely
difficult thing TO leave st. Petersburg with
n large sum Of stolen money; and to re-
main in the city undetected would be, 1
suppose, impossible"
IF there were no crime, there would be
no policel' he replied. sententiously. And
II all masters were like Mr.. Arnold, there
would be no crime
yet I hear that ne was swindled by one
OF his employees only last year 1 said.
''Pfuie,' said PavIof. That man of
wrath and of wickedness? \ child of evil.
indeed. Such a master. and to cheat him!
Oh. fe, fiei'
All II III tAAAEA0l0o WV SUI R1A~ooAo
of virtue as Mr.. Pavlof," 1 said, 1.-The police
would grow fat for want of occupation" 1
thought this would be enough for my
friend, but he took the dose as a cOmpli-
ment. and as his simple due at that.
Yes" ne said. IF We all could trust one
another. there would be no dishonesty"
Here YOU are. Pavlof," said Tommy.
bringing the notes; ten thousand exactly.
Pop them into the safe tonight, like a good
fellow. and let the artelshik take them
across 10 the bank tomorrow
We'll. what have you been talking
sbout?" he asked, when Pavlof had retired
with the parcel of money. You seemed TO
be making tremendous friends"
Mr.. Pavlof was explaining what a Won
derfulIy honest fellow he is because he has
never robbed you Of a farthing," I laughed.
HE seems TO be pretty fond Of you, how
ever. in his sickening. gushing way
ooh. don't be hard on old Pavlofi You
wouldn't be down upon a dog for licking
his masters hand; and his devotion to-
wards me partakes OF the canine. As d
~-.If.w Hore "a rraurrrra 20