Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1912-08-08
The Provision
Dealer Of St.
Petersburg
BY IVAN vRoNsKY

advanced ideas is to be found in the
fact that he emancipated the serfs. or
slaves. Furthermore. he was about to
give his country a constitution. On ac-
count Of this intention It has been
claimed that he was assassinated at
the instigation OF those nearest to him,
the bureaucrats, who were opposed to
reforms But later developments have
disproved this. More than thirty years
have elapsed since his assassination,
and the preliminary methods adopted
to insure It have been brought out.
The circumstances attending the act
itself were apparent at the time.
On the day Of his assassination the
car was returning to his palace after
q visit Four revolutionists were sta
toned along the route on which he
was driven, each with bomb In his
armpit. As the emperor passed the
first man the latter threw his bomb.
Attendants and horses Of the imperial
carriage were killed. but Alexander
was unhurt. He stepped out Of the
carriage. and another bomb fell at his
feet. shattering his legs. He was drtv-
en- to the palace in sleigh and died on
the way.
There is story underlying this as
sassination. Indeed, the world is but
great story book containing nyriads Of
stories. That leading up to Alexander
It's death has been told in various
forms. There is no need to distort the
main Incidents In the following ver-
sion they are given as they were after
the tragedy developed by the police:
On the street called Malaja Sadov-
aga in st. Petersburg one morning a
shop that had been for some time va
cant was opened by man whose sign
read "Peter Novgorod. Provision Deal
er." Other shopkeepers were inter-
ested to know what plan the man
would adopt to deprive them Of their
trade. for It would appear that what
he gained they would lose So they
watched to see what customers would
go into his shop.
Though Novgorod soon sprang into
fair business. his competitors found
lie
Very few persons living In that To-
cality went into his store to trade
Those who did go. or most Of them.
were from other parts Of the city.
Old Ivan Balichin. who kept butch
er shop opposite Novgorod's place.
when not working at his own business
was usually interested In Novgorod's.
He noticed that tho provision dealer
seemed to be selling great many
goods. but was seen to get them In only
small quantities One day when Ba-
lichtn was having a dull trade and
could devote himself to his neighhors'
affairs. instead OF his own. he observed
that so many customers emerged from
the shop opposite that It seemed the
whole stock must have been bought out
several times over. Before closing time
Balichin crossed the street. ostensibly
to chat with his neighbor. but really
for the purpose Of observation.
Good evening. friend Novgorod," he
said "How have you found trade to-
dayr'
Fair" replied the other. You know
have but recently started"
Yes. I know that. and do not
understand how you have SO quickly
worked up 80 extensive a trade"
WELL" replied Novgorod. my trade
comes largely from customers who have
dealt with me before. Besides. in
order to do business am giving long
credits. don't know how shall come
out In the end. but hope for the best"
you Will come out as any trades
man VIII come out who does business
In that way. You will make lot OF
bad debts. How often do you find 1t
necessary to replenish your stock?"
MY stock! Oh. ] am supplied by
merchant who puts me to great
deal Of trouble in that respect. You
see. having no partner. have nc one
to do the buying. for buying and sell
Ing are two different matters. SO l get
everything through one man. But
since he runs shop himself he has no
time to attend to my affairs during
business hours. The consequence Is
that he sends me goods sometimes In
the early morning and sometimes at
night"
II see." said Balichfn Il noticed to-
day that you sold great deal and
must have had a plentiful supply ON
hand"
"That is because last night was
routed out Of bed at II o'clock to take
In two carloads Of provisions"
At this juncture a customer came In
and, seeing Balichin talking with the
shopkeeper. offered to wax TIL be had
been served. But Balichin said that he
was only gossipdng and told the Gus
toner to 80 ahead with his purchases
The latter asked to see some butter.
Novgorod plunged knife into frkin
and gave It to him to TASTE The man
made wry face.
SIS that the best butter you haveY'
he asked.
Eyes. Don't you like itY'
Like I'll It Is nothing but oleomar-
garine from America. I win 60 else.
where Cor my buttcr-real butter, not
"a