The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-04-04
The Eye of the
Government
By RYLAND BELL


many and Austria, which had been
very nearly overturned by revolution,
kept a strict record of strangers pass
ing through their domains. Not that
tourists are today ignored, but the
methods are not now so obtrusive as
they were then.
In 1852 William Starkweather of AL
bany, N. Y, while in Berlin was fol-
lowed about by a man who was un-
doubtedly spy of the government.
Ten years later he had occasion to
again visit Berlin. He remembered his
previous experience and wondered If
It would be repeated. He saw nothing,
however, to excite his suspicious till he
was leaving the city. He stepped into
q compartment of a coach-each COM
partment was separated from the 9th
ers at that tlme-in which there was
no other passenger. Just before the
train started a one eyed man carrying
q valise entered the compartment and
as he did so eyed Mr.. Starkweather
sharply.
"Here he is," thought the American.
''He has but one eye, but for spying
purposes it is quite as good as two"
The man took seat as far away
from Starkweather as possible, and in
stead of putting his valise in the rack
overhead placed 1t in the seat beside
him.
Starkweather reached a satchel from
the rack, took out book and began to
read. He had perused several pages
when, looking aside, he saw the single
eye-the eye Of the government he
called it-looking at him.
AS Starkweather looked up the man
put his hand on the valise beside
him, and since his expression indicat-
ed that he was ready to fight If neces-
sary, the American thought that he
was intending to open the valise and
take out a brace Of pistols. Stark
weather, who kept what money he
had with him in his right hip pocket,
involuntarily put his hand there. The
man started and put his own hand to
his hip, keeping that single eye of his
on his fellow passenger. Starkweath-
er, inferring that the man supposed
he had reached for a pistol, withdrew
his hand in a way to avoid, so far as
possible, giving that appearance. New
ertheless he dreaded lest the man, ex-
pecting that he would draw weapon,
should do so quicker than he and send
a bullet crashing through his brain.
However, when the other saw his emp
ty hand he, too, withdrew his own and
without anything in it.
BY this time Starkweather, being
alone in q compartment with a man
whom he believed had been sent by
the police to watch him and shoot him
down If he attempted to play any des-
perate game, considered it quite time
to disabuse his antagonist of his sup
position as to his character. Fortu-
nately he spoke German very well and
thus addressed the one eyed man in
that language:
"Since you seem to be interested in
me, cir, take it that you think me a
revolutionist. ] assure you that I have
no interest in this country whatever.
am citizen Of the city of Albany, in
the state Of New York, in the United
States Of America. 1 beg you, there
fore, to cease your attentions and let
me Alone"
This brief speech seemed to have a
contrary effect on the one eyed man
to what was expected. He glared at
Starkweather, clutching his valise in
one hand, while he kept the other un
der his coat in the region of his hip
When Starkweather had finished he
made no reply, but looked about ap
parently for some means of stopping
the train. Starkweather lost patience
with the fellow and, forgetting tC
speak in German, blurted out in first
rate American:
"What in thunder is the matter with
your
"What in thunder is the matter witt
your" was the reply in the same Ian
guage.
"You understand Engllsh?"
"Of course do. 1 don't understand
anything else"
'Not what said to you just now il
German?'
'No. Who are you"
I'm William StarkWeather or Al
bany, N. Y, U. S. A."
"Then you know me and have my Sc
cret."
81 don't know you, and neither have
nor wish to have your secret"
"I'm from Albany myself-145
street. 1 live around the corner from
you. suppose you learned of my mis-
sion there and have followed me to ge
the securities"
"What securitiesf"
"That I'm taking home for the stat'
government"
Starkweather burst into q laugh.
"What are you grlnning atT inquired
the other.
do you know I've been taking yol
for spy OF the Prussian government
who suspected me Of being a revolu
tionistT'