The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-03-28
"A Russian:
| Episode
/ In Which a Passport Plays
/ an Important Part
By EDWARD R. CHANDLER

At twenty-five years of age found
myself with a fortune and my own
mistress. My parents had died when
l was a little girl, and l was brought
up by an aunt, who had a family Of
her own and was not sorry when be-
came independent of her, though she
had nothing to do with my support.
For some years it has been considered
quite allowable for American girls Of
independent character and means to
travel abroad by themselves without
escort. Acting upon this, l resolved
to see the world.
After visiting those countries in Eu-
rope that are a common ground for
tourists / became curious to see Rus
sia. l was warned to keep away from
the snowy empire on account of the
revolutionary troubles infesting 1t. but
this only heightened my desire to visit
it. saw no reason why should have
any trouble. l had no desire to de-
pose the czar and If / had would new
er have thought Of contributing my
puerile powers to that end. Before
leaving America had received a pass
port from the state department and,
though 1 had had no occasion to use
it in other countries, knew that l
would need it in Russia.
But before going there resolved to
learn something Of the Russian Ian
guage. I spent a winter in Florence,
| Italy, where found teacher, and by
spring was enabled to converse fairly
we'll in Russian. Had not been thus
prepared / should not have this story
to tell, for the story came from making
an acquaintance, and 1 could not have
very well made, or at least retained,
the acquaintance without being able
TO speak Russian.
After passing by train the border of
the empire a young girl who got into
my compartment was good enough to
answer questions l asked about st. Pc
tersburg giving me information as to
where might abide. Girl tourists sell
dom go to hotels; they almost always
stop at pensions or apartments, and
the greatest drawback to their journey
Ing alone is arriving at a town not
knowing of such a house in which to
ocate.
The Russian girl told me that she
was going to st. Petersburg without a
chaperon and had been provided ahead
with apartments by friends. When she
heard that I was an American she
seemed to take an especial interest in
me, asking me about my country and
how to get there l noticed her study
ing my features and my general ap-
pearance, but why she did so I was at
4 loss to know. Before we reached
The capital 1 was surprised at her pro-
posing to share her apartments with
NE during my stay there. Since must
go among strangers anyway and had
become favorably impressed with her
told her that I would be greatly
obliged for the privilege Of staying
with her, at least till could find per.
manent quarters.
l found the apartments very com
portable. I supposed they were expen
sive and questioned my friend about
the rental. She replied that she did
not know; I need give myself no con
,ern about that; might pay her what
ever liked. But did not let the mat
:er drop till I had arranged the price
and since I saw no occasion to hunt
for another lodging l settled myself
where was for an indefinite stay. We
we're served by a cook and a chamber
maid. There We're four bedrooms
though we needed but two. Indeed
we were provided with every comfort.
My friends name was Catherine. Hel
other name being very hard to pro
nounce / do not give 1t here. Like
most Of her countrymen, she was very
'air both in hair and complexion. There
was an uneasy, restless look in hel
eye which did not correspond will
naturally passive features. Why she
came to st. Petersburg, who were the
friends who had provided her witt
:hese apartments, what she was doinl
1T the capital, she did not tell me. NJ
one ever came to see her, but 1 fancieC
mat she must go to see others, for she
spent very little time at home. 1, too
Eas out a great deal, seeing wha
there was to be seen in the way o.
lights. Indeed, the only time we me
Turing the day was at luncheon and a
Inner, but we usually spent our even
ngs together.
One night l was awakened by an i'll
hess and, getting out of bed, went t.
GATHERINGS room for assistance. Sh,
was not there. A clock was ticking OF
ler dresser, and 1 noticed that tn,
hands stood at half past o'clock. Tht
bed had not been disturbed. l wa
very much astonished. She had sale
nothing about expecting to go out dur
Ing the night and could not under
stand how she would do so without az
scort I went back to bed and la.