The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-11-11
A NIHILIST'S
LUCKY ESCAPE
Saved From Siberia by the
Wit of a Girl.

mlSSlOu, sHlu HlnlhSl III ANeN a yin
to a fellow worker. DO you know
any one there who will shield me If
cornered?'
The question was answered by a
btory.
Not long ago l was there myself.
| One day was directed to carry bun
die of printed revolutionary documents
from our rooms to the house of men,
Der in a different part of the city.
studiously avoided any haste, saunter-
ing along as though l had no wish to
be at the end of my route. At street
crossing. glancing aside to avoid being
run down by some vehicle, | saw a
man standing on the opposite corner
with his eyes fixed intently upon me.
He had his hands in his pockets and
was apparently lettering. but the mo-
ment he saw that ] noticed him he
started off briskly in the opposite di-
rection from what ] was going
Nevertheless he did not lose sight of
me- / had not gone far when. in order
! to be able to look back without my de-
sign being suspected stopped before
a shop window, glanclng rearward out
of the corner of my eye. ] was just in
time to see the man was looking for
disappear in an alley.
/ was now thoroughly frightened.
Without doubt he was shadowing me.
For some time watched him with one
eye and the policeman l happened to
see by the way with the other.
We nihilists. of course. all knew the
location of the police stations and the
residences of the officers Suddenly
noticing that was passing the house
of the chief of the district it occurred
to me to play desperate game. l re-
solved to bluff my watcher into the be-
lief that he was after the wrong man
by boldly entering the house. What
under heaven was to do there | did
not know. Mounting a few steps,
tried the door. 1t was locked, but at
the moment was opened by young
lady in hat and wraps. evidently about
to come out. l stepped inside without
an invitation and closed the door.
May | speak with you a moment?'
/ asked, removing my hat.
The parlor door was open. and as l
looked wistfully into the room she mo-
toned me to enter, then followed l
turned and faced her. studying by her
expression what kind of a person had
to deal with Then spoke in a low
voice, seriously. peadingly.
"You have the life of fellow being
In your keeping"
"IY
Eyes: am q nihilist In this pack
age are revolutionary documents. A
man outside has been shadowing me.
He will come in to make sure that
am not what he suspects. The result
will be Siberia Rather than that
deathw
| took a revolver from my pocket.
"If l am discovered trying to save
you II means ruin for me and my ia
ther. He would go to Siberia instead
of YOU
"You are right" | replied 81 will
not ask or accept such Il sacrifice"
placed the muzzle of the revolver
in my mouth and drew back the ham,
mer Before | could pull the trigger
felt a soft hand on my arm.
Undo your package" she said. BE
quickw
| united the strings and unfolded the
paper The girl snatching dozen
books from the library. tossed them to
me. | put them In the place of the
documents and tied up the package.
had not quite finished when there was
ring at the doorbell. Throwing the
documents under the sofa, the young
lady went to answer the summons
seated myself on the sofa. holding the
package in my lap. When the door
was opened | heard voices in the hail.
''Is the colonel at home?"
mo: my father Is out"
81 am one of the secret police A
man has come in here whose name is
on the black list. 1t is quite probable
that he is playing double game, pre-.
tending to work for yOur father"
"There is man In the parlor, mes.
senger from friend of mine who has
sent him 10 return some books | len:
her"
Can | see him?"
Certainly"
My shadower entered.
Stand up" he said.
i did as he commanded, and he
searched me, Not finding anything to
compromise me, he united the package
and found the books. He was not sat
: ished, but there was nothing for him
TO do but acQuiesce. No one is to be
trusted In Russia. and even this daugh
: ter of police official was suspected
by the man. as could see by his
! looks.
II am sorry to have to disturb you.
he said to her, but when come tC
= recount the matter to your father
: am sure he will bear me out in what
| have done. Good morning"
y The narrator ceased and the listener
/ asked
THE name of this young giri?"
mot for my life would give it,"
"Ah, well, | can't blame you. What
:. did you do next?"