Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-02-17

"What a fuss thou makest about so
small a matterw he responds. "0ne
would think thou hadst been born and |
bred a thousand miles from Russia, and |
knew naught Of the customs of the coun-
try. Roubles- -roubles-roubles! What |
is there in Russia that cannot be bought |
with Russian roubles? l rustic hand
full of dirty rouble notes, and without |
a word of persuasion a government clerk |
writes out the passport to my dictation. |
A Holy Father prepares the other docu-
ment from one he has in his possession |
and hands it to me with a Bless thee,
my son! And never a remonstrance save
when L pressed little token of my graf
itude into his palm"
Thou must have spent a fortune over
me, Yerack," l say remorsefully. The
weight Of so many obligations Oppresses
me.
And if thou hadst knocked the life
out of me that time, as | deserved, what
use would my money have been to me
then? Moreover, | assure thee, that |
speak truth when | say have more than
| need. Trust Yerack for looking after
himself. He knows how far he can go.
have done with thee"
He takes a thick packet of notes from
his pocketbook, and without counting
them divides them into two equal parts
and gives me one. Though | am obliged
to be still farther his debtor to the
amount of my journey, l shun to take
advantage of such reckless liberalty. l
begin to count the notes, resolved to ac-
cept what | stand in absolute need of
and no more. They seem to be all twen-
ty-fve rouble notes. l separate four
from the bulk.
"These will more than suffice" l say,
holding the remainder toward him. 1T
is well for thee my friend that thy
head is firmly fastened on thy shoulders,
or thou wouldst certainly give it away"
/ try to smile at him as | speak, but
my trembling lips render the attempt a
failure.
His reply is to snatch all the notes
from me with comical ferceness, roll
them up, and stuff them into the inside
pocket of my kaftan.
Enough Of this foolingw he exclams.
Not another word will l hear on so
paltry a subject. What is more to the
purpose, let us settle what is to be done
next. 1t will be best that we part here.
Thou wilt 90 on foot into the town
straight up this street, taking the first
turn to the right, and in the market Is
both the postofice and the posting sta
ton. Arrived at wilma, drive direct to
the railway station. With moderate driv-
ing thou wilt be there in time to catch
~ nd OF ind
thee who thou art. Forget not thy
priestly dignity. Keep also bold front,
for thou art secure. The passport will
assuredly be enough, but hesitate not to
show the leave of absence. The two
together will at once put to fight the
least shadow of doubt. There is just the
fact of thy having no luggage that might
arouse suspicion. Here, too, thou canst
easily hoodwink them. Thou wilt de-
scribe it-go to the luggage van for the
purpose of Identifying it-excite thyself,
get into a towering rage because it is not
there; threaten to lodge a complaint
against the railway servants for their
neglect in not putting it in the train
when it is addressed and properly label
ed; make a great stir, and give special
| w
out loss Of time"
II promise thee to use my utmost abil-
ity, brother" l respond. Nor am l a
novice. have had some acting to do in
my time"
| Another thing I would MENTION" re-
sumes the Cossack. II fain would hear
of thy safe arrival. One line will be
enough-'Arrived safe! All WE'LL what
thou wilt. Only address 1t not to me,
am too well known for a scamp; more
over, am under surveillance Of the po-
lice," he chuckles, shutting up his left
eye. LET me see," he continues, with
sudden gravity. From wilma we pro.
ceed to Minsk, on our way to. the East
Arrived at the Province Of the Don
where am a native, we will pause until
l have disposed of certain properties
Our final destination will be the Kirg.
hez Steppes. There we will pitch our
tent. They will scarcely follow us there
Send, therefore, thy communication to
Minsk. l can always induce some sleek
government clerk to call for 1t at the
postoffce and fetch it to me-"
Hereupon he takes up the pen, and
with great solemnity, forming each letter
with his lips the while, he writes on one
of the sheets Of paper. 1t is slow and
laborious task. l receive the paper and
read: "dimitri petrovitch herzen Minsk
post restante."
Yerack sticks out his lips and watches
me whilst l read 1t.
Thou canst make it out? Yes?" he
inquiries.
with perfect ease. 1t is very dis
tinct.
"Now embrace me, my son, and go thy
way"
We kiss each other on both cheeks
and he releases me. The same ceremony
is gone through with Kalatch. l thank
him for the service he has rendered me
to which he will not listen.
81 was glad Of reason for pitching
70 the accursed job" he says. II could
not have stood it much longer"
The Cossacks accompany me TO the