Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-08
"A Russian"
Episode
In Which a Passport Plays
an important Part
BY EDWARD r. CHANDLER

Al twenty-five tthic W dNt t'""'
myself with fortune aud my own
mistress. My parents had died when
| was a little girl. aud was brought
~ by an aunt. who had a family OF
her own and was not sorry when be
came independent of her. though she
hnd nothing to do with my support.
For some years II has been considered
quite allowable for American girls OF
independent character and means 10
travel abroad by themselves without
escort Acting upon this. ] resolved
to see the world.
After visiting those countries In Eu
rope that are a common ground for
tourists ! became curious TO see Rus
STA. | was warned 10 keep away from
the snowy empire ON account OF the
revolutionary troubles infesting 1t. but
this only heightened my desire to visit
IL. | saw no reason why should have
any trouble. had no desire to de.
pose the car and il had would new
er have thought Of contributing my
puerlle powers TO that end. Before
leaving America | had received pass
port from the state department. and.
though had had no occasion to use
II In other countries. knew that
would need 1t In Russia.
but before going there resolved to
af hn "a n
guage spent winter In Florence.
Italy. where found teacher. and by
spring was enabled TO converse fairly
well In RUSSIAN Had ! not been thus
prepared should not have this story
TO tell. for the story came from making
an acquaintance. and ! could not have
very well made. or nj least retained.
the acquaintance without being able
to speak Russian.
After passing by train the border of
the empire young girl who got into
my compartment was good enough to
answer questions ! asked about st. Pc
tersburg. giving me information as to
where might abide. Girl tourists sci
dom go TO hotels; they ALMOST always
stop at pensions or apartments. aud
the greltest drawback to their journey.
ing alone is arriving at town no,
knowing Of such house In which TO
locate.
The Russlnn girl told me that she
was going to St Petersburg without n
chaperon and had been provided ahead
with apartments by friends When she
heard that | was an American she
seemed TO takc an especial interest In
me. asking me about my country aud
how 10 get there. ! noticed her study
ing my features and my general ap
pearnnce. but why she did so was NJ
a loss 10 know. Before we reached
the capital was surprised at her pro.
posing 20 share her apartments with
me during my stay there. Since must
go among strangers anyway and had
become favorably impressed with her
told her that would be greatly
obliged for the privilege OF staying
with her. 1T least till could find per-
manent quarters.
| found the apartments very com
Portable | supposed they were expen-
sive and questioned my friend abou,
the rental She replied that she did
not know | need give myself no con
Germ about thar: might pay her what
ever liked But did not let the mat.
ter drop till had arranged the price.
and since ! saw no occasion 20 hunt
for another lodging | settled myself
where was for an indefinite stay. We
were served by n cook and chamber
maid. There were four bedrooms.
though We needed but two. Indeed.
we were provided with every comfort.
My friend name was Catherine Her
other name being very hard to pro
nounce ! do not give Il here. Like
most or her conntrymen. she was very
fair both in hair and complexion. Their. /
was an uneasy. restless look in her
eye which did not correspond with
naturally passive features. Why she
came to 81 Petersburg. who were Tin,
friends who hnd provided her with
these apartments. what she was doing
at the capital. she did not tell me M
one ever came To- see her. but | fancled
that she must 90 10 see others. for she
spent very little time NJ home. |. tDo.
was out great deal. seeing what
there was to he seen in the way OF
sights. Indeed. the only time we met
during the day WAS at luncheon and ~ /.
dinner. but we usually spent our even
ings together.
One night | WIS awakened by an ~ /
ness and. getting out Of bed. went a.
GATHERINGS room for assistance. Sh,
was not there. 4 clock was ticking ON
her dresser. and | noticed that ~. /
hands stooi NJ half Past | O'Clock. Thu I
he'd had not been disturbed wa
very much astonished She had said
nothing about expecting TO 20 ont dur
Ing the night. and could not under
stand how she would do 50 without an /
escort went back 20 bed aud IN,
there wondering What should ! say /
to her IN The morning about finding
her abSenss concluded "a wait fol
EAr o.