The Washington times., 1903-04-19
APOLLO ZAGARIN
TobaccOnist.

The neighborhood was a poor and
squalid one, and was under the strict
surveillance of the police. but from the
first no breath of suspicion attached TO
Apollo Zagarin. He was a quiet. genial
fellow. with a faculty for making friends.
He was soon on intimate terms with
the geudarmes. and they frequently
dropped into the little shop of an even
ing for q smoke or a brief chat.
The tobacconist lived very quiet life
all by himself. occupying the two rooms
over the store for cooking and sleeping;
he was never known to have visitors. and
he was always at home. day and night
It was currently reported throughout
the neighborhood that he had come 20 St,
Petersburg from Moscow. having failed
in business in the latter city.
The rear of Zagarin's house faced the
quay of the ostroff Canal. and was sep
arated from il by a row of dingy sheds
and warehouses. dark and deserted at
night. but teeming with life and noise by
day. So incessant was the creaking Of
puIleys and the banking of bales and
boxes from sunrise to sunset that the
rattle Of q printing press under the very
floor OF Zagarin's shop could not have
been heard
The months passed on. Spring gave
way to summer, and summer to autumn.
ard the winter soon ushered in the new
year.
Late in the afternoon of the 21st Of
February. 1891. at that hour when the
short Russian twilight is falling. an old
woman. closely wrapped up in a faded
cloak. slipped into the doorway of the
little tobacco shop by the Ostror Canal.
Apollo Zagarin was alone. warming his
hands by the stove. and when he looked
up and saw his visitor his face turned
as pale as the whitewashed wall by
his side, and then flushed an angry red.
You here." he cried. suIlenly 'Are
you mad? Do you forget what I told
you? You know well that the police
are constantly watching you"
The old woman tottered to a chair
and sat down.
All. dsary. deary." she whimpered.
don't be angry. was longing for d
sight of your face that brought me here
I tried TO remember what you told me.
I tried to forget that you are"
Hush, hush, not that name here"
cried Zagarin. lived with passion and
fear. May the Evil One take you I.
you dare TO speak it,
He darted past her and locked the
shop door.
Come" he said, You can't stay
hereg'
He took a candle and led the way up
q back staircase at the rear of the shop.
Twice during the ascent he stopped
and waited. while the old woman re
covered her breath. and in the silence
a strange noise could be heard and a
slight vibration felt far under foot
still a it, muttered the hsg, "SuH
at il. deary,"
"Anathemas on you!" Kissed Zagarin.
BE still!"
They reached the second floor and en-
tered a rear room. plainly carpeted and
furnished with a cooking stove. a table
and a couple of chairs. It had one win
dow. closely curtained-
The old woman dropped into a chair;
her breath savored strongly of vodka,
and this no doubt had something to do
with her feebleness.
Zagarin placed the candle on the table
and then planted himself in front of her
Now what do you WANT" he demand
ed, harshly. out with il. quick! Don't
tell me you want more money-don't
tell me that" He shook his fist in her
face.
Just a little, deary." she whimpered.
list a handful of rubles. You can
easily spear tt
Not a kopeck!" cried Zagarin. Not
a cursed kopeck shall you have: Do
you think I am made Of gold? l have