The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-15

was passing the rockbound coast of Denmark
preparatory to entering the Kattegat. On the
promenade figures leaning
the rail- One that of young man, fair
athletic The other was that m older,
rather sombre features John
Gregory, traveller in Sheffield cutlery the other
Michael Alexif Russian mat merchant Of Ufa, Middle
Russia, Gracechurch street. London.
81 would be glad Mr. Gregory" said Michael Alexif,
eff you would come to my cabin where could you
could tell you OH much Of the places where
to in Russia, where do splendid business and
make.a name for yourself with your firm
"Why not talk here?" said the Englishman ut is
cooler here and the cabins stuffy.'
people hear; and how do we know
but have competitors board who would take
advantage of what would say? No. the cabin is BETTER
SO they went to the cabin Michael Alexif sat on
and Gregory sat the other
and where do frst?' said Alexif, nquirngly.
'From Petersburg to Moscow, Moscow to Mini, Mini
Rostov-Don, Odessa, Kiev, Warsaw and Riga
"a good trip" unused Alexif. "And you expect to
make much money out of it?'
cat least five hundred pounds
'Poor pay" said Alexif, and he took out his cigar
and selected cigarette. poor pay Your pass
port is in order, suppose?"
'Oh, yes. See, here it isl
Yes, seevse of the consul general in Lon
at the bottom signed? Yes, quite in order Well Well
wish you luck; but-hve hundred pounds could offer
you a thousand for a simpler SERVICE.
"Oh, you merchant?'
yes, big I import nearly all the Russian
mats which England and America consume. am going
to Russia to see after my stock But as said
offer you thousand pounds for simpler service
which you about to perform for your firm
mat trade?'
Eyes, mat trade. You will sell how much
THAT cannot say. The Russian field is new But
what service is it speak OFF,
1.-THE loan Of your passport for ten days..
other laughed.
'Oh, yes" he said ct know I heard of all that
before, don't part with my passport under any
circustances."
but if you what reason wanted the pass
port. think would not be so reluctant Come, mr.;
Gregory just listen for minute or two and will tell
you the loan of that passport would put nine thou
sand pounds into my pocket and thousand POUNDS INTO
yours 1890
'Humph!" muttered Gregory. II see now why you
wanted to come to the cabin Well? ~
"Six months ago my brother in Ufa shipped large
ouantty of skifs England. These skins came from
Central ASIA Siberia in short from the four corners OF
the Russian empire They were valuable Ihere were
nnumerabe sables blue fox red fox silver
fox bears fact hundred and one OF the hnet
specimens Russian fur The lot was valued at one
hundred thousand roubes, and they were all packed III
huge The furs shipped at Riga IN steamer
which was carrying the London docks cargo OF eggs
and dead poultry insured for one hun
dred thousand roubes, and the ship set sail But soo
after leaving Riga a on, and for days and
DAYS the ship about in the North Sea- She was
her her machinery broke down, ana
she was fourteen days overdue when she sighted the
shores of England By that time the cargo, conslstlng
as have sad principally of eggs and dead poultry haa
become completely rotten and the stencil was so great
that the very fell sick At the entrance to the
Thames ship stopped by the authorizes, Tor,
nouf! it could be sme should think, as far as London
The authorities Immediately condemned the cargo and or
dered the ship out to again The captain ana the
sunercargo poor fellows at their wits end and
knew not what to do But supercargo was man OF
ideas directed that the ship should proceed 10
Boterdam where it is said they will accept anything
They proceeded to Rotterdam but not even allowed
to enter the Dutch authorities ordered them
to proceed to sea and dump the cargo overboard.
"Humph!" said Gregory. lizard luck
Eyes very hard luck. They proceeded to sea ana
dumped cargo overboard-a of it, not only the eggs
and poultry $1,000 pounds worth of SKINS So now
YOU see why I going back to Russia
insurance?'
"Exactly Now must tell you that cannot get into
Russia because / am get a. passport from
the British authorities British subject but the con-
snl general will not wise it. So you my predcament
must go Ufa and with my brother prove that
the skins sent Russia to England have been de-
refuse brother, they demand my presence
They are artul, you knowing that, as Jew,
thing impossible. Once in the country, how
ever things would be different. 1t only
police which have to and then everything will
right Now, lend days; there is
thousand pounds for you
"And of course, would pass John Gregory?'
Naturally. What would that matter, nobody knows
John Gregory in Russia? You will be perfectly
back to Petersburg, give you the passport, you