Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-07-10
Paul OblOnsky's Ruse.
IOriginal.l


Paul Oblonsky, q Russian comedian,
having become interested with his
countrymen in the cause of political
liberty, left the stage and became a
writer in behalf of the car.
While Oblonsky was publishing his
pamphlets, which were all eminently
satisfactory to the government, he was
engaged in disseminating literature of
an entirely different kind. He made
journeys from his home to different
points to organize, advise and encour-
sge different secret societies that rep
resented the most radical element of
the revolution. OF course the day
came when he was reported to the po-
lice as suspect, but SO wary had he
been that the chief would not believe
he was a revolutionist.
One day telegram came to the po-
ice at St Petersburg that meeting Of
revolutionists had been broken up at
Moscow and man resembling Paul
oblonsky had got away. The chief
sent at once to Oblonsky's house to
discover IL he was at home. The man
who went on the errand knew Oblon-
sky by sight and as he approached the
house saw him sitting at an upper
window. He returned and reported
the fact to his superior.
Not long after this spy Of the gov
eminent In Warsaw reported that OBJ
lonsky was one of band Of conspira-
tors, of which he (the spy was also a
member Still doubling the truth Of
information duplicating man who
had defended the government, the
chief sent the same messenger he had
used before to Oblonsky's house. On
the way the messenger met Oblonsky
in carriage driving with his sister.
The chief was puzzled. Those who
use spies are never certain but that
they are spies Of the enemy. However,
be telegraphed orders that If at any
time Oblonsky was seen In Warsaw
the occurrence be at once reported In
few days telegram came announc-
Ing that Oblonsky had been seen enter
ing that city from the suburbs in a
drosky. The informant was not In the
pay Of the government; therefore OBJ
ionsky was not followed. The chief
sent one Of his best men at once to
Oblonsky's house, directing him to
make sure whether or no Oblonsky
was there. He was to go In and speak
with him. Oblonsky had been seen en-
tering Warsaw an hour before the re-
ceipt of the telegram. He surely would
not have had time to return before
the official could get to his house. As
the messenger approached he looked
up at the window where Oblonsky was
accustomed to read or write, but he
was not there. Entering the house,
he found Oblonsky's old mother.
II have called" he said, Ito get a
cony of your sons last political PAM
phIet for the chief of police. 1t is re-
ported that there are in 1t some fea-
lures objectionable to the government"
Indeed" said the old lady, II will
call my son, who will hand you one
himself" Thereupon she went up
stairs, and who should come down but
Oblonsky himself, with the pamphlet
in his hand. The official wished him
good day, took the pamphlet and re-
turned to the chief. Immediately an
order was sent to Warsaw to send the
person who had seen Oblonsky enter
ing the city to st. Petersburg. A man
arrived the next day who declared that
he knew Oblonsky well, and he had
certainly seen him as he had reported.
The chief sent for Oblonsky ostensibly
to discuss the Objectionable passage in
his pamphlet, but really to subject him
to the view Of the informer from Mos
COW. The informer at once declared
that Oblonsky was the man he had
seen In the drosky entering Warsaw.
The chief was now satisfied that
there had been mistake. He gave or
ders for the secret police to watch
those who had reported against OBJ
lonsky, thinking that they might be
revolutionists endeavoring to get rid
Of friend Of the government.
One morning ON official occupying a
high position In the government was
found murdered In his Office. Among
those reported to have left the Office
shortly before the finding Of the body
was Oblonsky. For the first time the
chief began to believe that Oblonsky
was a revolutionist and II 30 he must
be one OF the most adroit az well az