The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-08-10
How Peter Alexief Was
Saved From Siberia
By PAUL VRONSKY

Alexief. a young farmer. wooed and
won her, and it seemed that happy
future was before the young couple
That was before the revolution which
deposed the Gar Nicholas, and the
government was keeping sharp eye
on all persons who were suspected OF
plotting against it. 4 large force of
secret police-better named spies-was
scattered all over Russia.
Not only those who were really 50
minded reported TO the minister of the
interior at the capital, but If one per
son had a private grudge against an
other there was liability that he would
take revenge by reporting him TO the
police as a revOlutiOnist, or what was
then called a nihilist. This was also
true of the spies themselves. Ii spy
chose to condemn person he wished
to get rid Of, that person was taken
away and nothing was heard of him
afterward. He was buried in the con.
Wet mines of Kara.
While Peter and Anna were making
their preparations to be married there
came TO the province where they lived
a man whose name was Ivan IyanO-
witch He did not look like Russian,
for he was dark complexioned, while the
people among whom he had come had
light skins and hair Ivan had come
from the Crimea, which is southern
province, where what is called the Med
iterranean race Is prevalent. This race
is of southern blood and used to a hot
climate.
Ivan had no visible occupation and
was known to be a government spy.
He met Anna at dance in barn and
conceived a passion for her. Anna.
knowing him to be spy, dreaded him.
but dared not refuse to dance with
him, fearing that he would take re
venge upon her.
Ivan, becoming more and more enam-
ored of Anna. began to look about for
some act of Peters which could be
used as evidence against him. This
was shortly before the revolution
whereby the people of Russia wrested
a constitution from the car, and Pc
ters neighbors were beginning to plan
for resistance against the government
despotism. Peter got wind of the in
that he feared the spy was planning
to get him out Of the way that he
might possess himself OF Anna.
Meanwhile Anna, not daring to de-
cline the attentions OF Ivan, accepted
invitations from him. One evening the
two were walking together toward An
mas house when Ivan left her. As he
turned away a citizen tapped him on
the shoulder and asked him to come
with him. The citizen took him to q
house where a dozen men were wait
ing for them. One of the men said. to
Ivan:
you are suspected of trying to make
a case against Peter Alexief TO send
him to Siberia that you may marry
his betrothed. You are hereby notified
that IL anything happens to Peter your
life will be forfeited"
II deny the charge" replied Ivan. 81
have no need to get rid Of Peter. The
girl prefers me to him"
1t was plain to all that Quite likely
tween the two she would not dare to
choose Peter for fear Of Ivan.
Il am ready to fight with my rival
for the girl l love and who, believe
loves me. This proves that l am not
planning to take any undetermined ad
vantage of him."
Now, 1t was suspected that Ivan
I,n kaG
weapons are in common use, whoulG
make short work of Peter, who haG
been born and grown up a simple
farmer The spokesman Of the tribu
nal before whom Ivan was arraigneG
consulted with the others and theI
turned to the prisoner.
Your proposition to fight your Piva
for the possession Of the girl is accept
ed. Since you are the challenger ht
will have the choice of weapons"
Peter was sent for and closeted Will
the leader of the citizens who were en-
deavoring to save him from his rival
They proposed TO Peter that he should
fight Ivan, choosing weapons which
would give him an advantage over hi
enemy. Peter could think of no weap
on that he could WELD even indiffer
emily, whereupon one was suggestet
to him. He gave his consent at once
| and it was arranged that the due
should come off at dawn.
The thermometer at sunrise stood a
| was used to cold weather. walked on
to the yard in the rear of the hous
| where the fray was to take place II
shirt and trousers. Ivan, who had beer
used to a hot climate. had on His warm
est clothing. One of those presen
| handed each of the disputants the noz
zle of hose Ivan stood aghast. Fl
saw at once that he must fight wit
| cold water.
| But it was too late to recede. A fain
| hope came to him that his warn
clothing would protect him. He too
the nozzle offered him, the signal wa
| given, and the two men poured
stream at each other which was a
cold as it could be without freezine
Peter did not seem in the least trou
bled by his cold bath, but his enem
collapsed in FIVE minutes. He droppe
his weapon and ran for the house.
As soon as he had put On dry cloth
ing and poured a hot drink into hi
stomach he was told to leave the plac
ct once if he wished to save himsel
from the displeashre Of the citizens.
A month later the revolution brok
| forth.
AUTOMOBILE BARGAIN