Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-12-14
MASTER
AND MAN
A Transformation
Scene I'm Russia
By F. A. Mitchell

Count Meriwitz died about the time
the nihilist movement started in Rus
sia-that movement which led up to
the revolution and established the
duma. The count left an only son,
Dmitri, who had but just come Of age
and inherited the title and large for
tune from his father But, while
Count Meriwitz had been loyal sub
jeet of the cZar. his successor was bent
on achieving for the mobiles some share
in the government.
Dmitri's views became known to his
cousin, Ivan Ivanovitch, an unscrupu-
lous man. who in case of Dmitri's re-
moval would become heir to the Meri-
witz title and estates Dmitri was of
a trustful nature and confided to Ivan
that he was a member of revolution
airy circle. endeavoring to enlist his
cousin In the cause of wrestling from
the czar his autocratic power. Ivan
pretended to turn a willing ear to
Dmitri's ideas. while he was secretly
evolving plan by which the latter
might be sent to Siberia, in which
event his citizenship might be taken
from him and his estate confiscated.
Ivan, having possessed himself of
proof of his cousins completely with
the nihilists, sent an anonymous COM
municatfon to the government that he
would furnish evidence against a no
Bile of treasonable intent ON certain
conditions. The plotter stood between
the writer and a fortune If lie was
convicted and deprived of life or citi-
zenship the informer would expect the
government to permit him to succeed
to the title and estates instead of their
passing to the government
Ivan's offer was accepted, and he
was invited to call upon the chief min
lister of state. During his visit he gave
the name Of Count Dmitri Meriwitz as
the offender and received the promise
ne had named-that when his cousin
was convicted he should be left in pos
session of the Meriwitz title and prop
erty.
Now. Count Dmitri was very much
beloved by those composing his house
hold and his tenants. His valet, Ste
pan Oblonsky. man twenty years his
senior, who had served the late count,
adored him. Stepan was as keen to
scent villainy as Dmitri was obtuse to
it. Ivan Ivanovitch visited his cousin.
and 1t was in the latters home that
Dmitri epdeavored to induce the for
mer to join the niliilists. Stepan over
heard part of the conversation be-
tween them and interpreted at a
glance. by Ivan's expression, that he
was leading the count into trap.
When Ivan left the Meriwitz home
Stepan shadowed him and saw him
enter the Office of an official who had
charge of the secret police for that dis
trict. This was quite enough for the
seryitor. and, returning to his master.
he told him what he had seen and i'm
plored him to fee.
Dmltri, convinced of his cousins
treachery and not relishing Danish
ment to Siberia, availed himself of his
Wallets advice and, taking Stepan with
him. left at once for Germany.
Several years passed, during which
Dmitri remained in exile, but this was
very different from being in Siberia
Since the government could not get
possession of him no proceedings were
instituted against him. This was a
great disappointment to Ivan Ivano-
witch. who had expected to secure
Dmitris estates. Dmitri, having all
the money he wanted, lived In Berlin,
Paris, London, Rome-anywhere he
chose. But one wants what one can
not have, and the exile pined for his
home and his people. Stepan was the
only person to remind him of his ma
tive land. Indeed. Stepan was great
comfort to him. and Dmitri's gratitude
to his valet was proportionate to the
service he had rendered.
''If it had not been for you, Stepan,"
Dmitri often said. 81 would now be
working in the mines of Siberia"
'This is much better. excellency.
Content yourself to remain an exile so
long as you may live in luxury"
When the revolution came to a head
the count could no longer control his
desire to return to Russia. But, being
prescribed, If he returned and was rec
Ognized he would not only be of no
use to the cause, but would run the
risk of being sent to that dreaded life
lived by those who are doomed to
work in the mines of Kara,
Stepan for awhile succeeded in per-
suading his master to remain away
from Russia. but at last Dmitri could
stand it no longer to see others sup
porting the cause he approved while
he was living a life Of ease. Five
years had passed since he left Russia,
and these years had brought greater
change in him than any other equal
period in his life. AT his departure
from home he was twenty years
of age. wore no beard, and his hair
was thick. Now he was twenty-six,
he wore a full beard and mustache,
and his hair had recedad from hiS tenn