Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1913-07-25
An Episode Of
the Balkans
3, ALBERT KENYON

When tie Balkan states bad expelle'
the Turk and were anxious lest TN
powers should intervene and inhic
their ancient enemies npon them Ia,
two powers most able to help or harm
them were Germany and Russia
AZ this time Prince Ferdinand OF
Bulgaria sent young man in his serv
Ice to the emperor Of Germany TO Of
fer certain Inducements for him to re
strain Austria This person was Boris
Melon. very determined young man,
who. so far as strength ana bravery
were concerned. was well adapted 70
get the message through 20 Berlin
Austrian spies were on the watch 70
checkmate any move Prince Ferdinand
might make. and Melof was liable 10
be attncked and his dispatch taken
from him
On the day Of his departure he went
10 his home and told his wife that he
was to go on O journey and the object
Of IL. directing her to get out his pis
tolls and a couple or short knives.
which be Intended to take with him
FOR defensive purposes
Fighting Is but hair the defense
you VIII have 10 make said Kristina.
his wife "Yon will be IN greater dan
ger Of losing the dispatch by strata.
gem Where will you carry your dis
patch?"
Where would you suggest9" asked
Boris
u viii think it over aud let you
know later"
Boris gave her the dispatch that she
might know It's size. and before be left
her she opened his valise. which she
had packed for him. and showed him
the dispatch. addressed TO his imperial
majesty the kaiser on top OF his other
clothes. where every one could see it
Boris was astonlshed at this and was
about 20 take the package to put else
where when his wife stopped him
Boris" she said. 'leaye It whore It
IS No one viii look for Il in your
yalise II will be sought for on your
person Keep your weapons on your
person and the Dispatch IN your va
lise"
The young husband concluded to
humOr his wife. He kissed her and the
children goodby and sailed forth
There Is railway running north
westward from Sofa, and Boris went
by train. his route lying through Ser
via ana Austria There were traitors
and spies everywhere. and he had not
been long on the train before he knew
that there We're Austrans aboard who
had been Informed OF his errand He
dare not go apart from the others lest
he be attacked So he kept his seat in
the train He had letter IN his peck
ct from his wife, which he was tempt
ed 70 read 10 while away the time. but /
he dare not Besides. she had distinct.
should lose the dispatch In that I
case he would find In It a suggestion.
On reaching Belgrade a man stepped /
up 10 him and whispered 10 him that I
his wife Kristina. had sent him TO say /
that after Boris had left her she had /.
learned that an attempt would be (
made 70 relieve him OF the dispatch in
changing trains at that point The
man handed Boris a note from his
wife. written IN her well known hand.
advising him TO give the messenger
the dispatch TO take from the train. TO
be returned on the train leaving Bel
grade for Budapest Boris hesitated;
but having every confidence In his
wife. he concluded TO do so Going
With the man 10 q room Ia the station
where they would not be observed.
ie opened his valise aud gave the man
he package
That was The last Boris saw of the
nam or The package After leaving
belgrade he looked for him through
be train and. not finding him. was In
gony az having been duped His great
fonder was how the fellow could have
uped his wife Remembering the let
er he was to read from her containing
suggestion in case he lost the dis
atch. he opened and read It.
Kristina said In the letter that she
al no hope OF his getting the dispatch
trough unless by stratagem, She had
a friend to reveal 10 an
ustrian that Boris was going TO Der
Il with an important dispatch, and the
lend offered to get letter from Boris
lie that would secure Il for money
,nslderation kristina's object was
throw others who were after the
under or the track The Austrian
MD the price for the note and boarded
&c same train ms Boris.
but. continued Kristlna's letter, IF
pa give him the package In your I
elise You Will not give him the dis J
ltch / opened the envelope, took out I
le princes letter to the car and re. ,
aced II with waste paper The dis
itch you viii find sewed IN the lining l
your coat II my stratagem Is suc- r
'ssful You will proceed from Belgrade a
lmolested for he who thinks he has (
lie dispatch win doubtless send II un O
,eued TO Vienna" a
Never was man more delighted at re- a
living letter from his wife than v
oris Melon But he dare not give $
mt 70 his feelings lest he be watched L
I some OF those who had followed