The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-01-30
An Episode Of
the Balkans
By ALBERT KENYON

When the Balkan states had expelled
the Turk and were anxious lest the
powers should intervene and inflict
their ancient enemies upon them the
two powers most able to help or harm
them were Germany and Russia.
At 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
Meloff, very determined young man,
who. SO far as strength and bravery
were concerned. was well adapted to
get the message through to Berlin.
Austrian spies were on the watch to
rheckmate any move Prince Ferdinand
might make. and Meloff was liable to
be attacked and his dispatch taken
from him.
On the day Of his departure he went
u his home and told his wife that he
was to 20 on Il journey and the object
Of 1t, directing her to get out his pis-
tolls and couple Of short knives,
which he intended to take with him
for defensive purposes.
Fighting Is but half the defense
you will have to Make" said Kristina,
his wife "You will be In greater dan
ger Of losing the dispatch by strata.
gem. Where will you carry your dis
patch"
Where would yon suggest" asked
Boris.
Il will think It over and let you
know Inter-"
Boris gave her the dispatch that she
might know its size. and before he left
her she opened his valise, which she
had packed for him. and showed him
fhe dispatch. addressed to his imperial
majesty the kaiser. on top OF his other
clothes. where, every one could zee It.
Boris was nstOnished at this and was
about to take the package to put else
where when his wife stopped him.
"Roris." she said, leave It where It
Is. No one VIII look for it In your
valise. 1t 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
hnmor his Wife. He kissed her and the
children goodby and sailed forth.
There Is re ilway running north
westward from Sofia, and Boris went
ny train. his ro lite lying through Ser
via and Austrin. There were traitors
and spies Everywhere. and he had not
hceh long on the train before he knew
that they were Austrians aboard who
had BEEN informed OF his errand. He
dare OF go apart from the others lest
nc ne attacked. So he kept his seat In
the train. He had a letter In his pock-
It from his wife. (which he was tempt
~ TO read to Will away the time, but
= e dare not. Besides. she had distinct.
y charged him Il OF to do 30 unless he
should lose thei dispatch. In that
case he would and IN It suggestion.
On reaching B elgrade a man stepped
,iT to him and whispered to him that
his wife. Kristil IA. had sent him to say
that after Boris had left her she had
learned that M, attempt would be
made to relieve linn of the dispatch In
changing trains ut that point. The
man handed Boris note from his
wife. writtgl In her well known hand,
advising him to. give the messenger
the dispatch to take from the train. t.
he returned on the train leaving Bel
grade for Budapest Boris hesitzted
but. having every confidence in his
wife. lie conclud ed to do so. Going
with fine man to room In the stati or
where they would not be observed
he opened his va Use and gave the mnt
the package.
That was the last Boris saw Of the
man or the package. After leaving
Belgrade be looked for him through
the train FIND. not finding him. was In
agony at having been duped. His great
wonder was how the fellow could have
duped HIS wife. Remembering the let
ter no was to read from her containing
a sugg tstion in case he lost the dis
patch. he opened and read 1t.
Kris finn said in the letter that she
had 70 hope Of his getting the dispatch
through unless by stratagem. She had
com misstpned a friend to reveal to al
Austrian that Boris was going to Der
lin with an important dispatch. and tht
friend off!ered to get letter from Boris
wife that would secure 1t DOR money
consideration KKistina's object wal
To throw others who were after tht
plumber OF the track. The Austrian
paid the price for the note and boarded
the same train as Boris.
. But" continued Kristina's letter. III
you give him the package in YOU
valise you win not give him the dis
patch. opened the envelope. took on,
the princes letter to the car and re
placed 1t with waste paper. The dis
pntch you will find sewed In the lining
of your coat II my stratagem is suc
cessful yor, will proceed from Belgrad.
unmolestesI for he who thinks he ha.
the dispatch win doubtless send 1t un
opened to Vienna"
Never was man more delighted at re
ceiving a letter from his wife thar
Boris Melon. But he dare not gfyt
amt 70 t. Eel l.