Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-26
AND HERE 1T CONTINUES

AND HERE III CONTINUES
T WAS then free to go to Barnaul,
and resumed my journey. When
arrival there my sister quickly
found employment for me on the
steamship. The work was compare.
lively easy and my life rapidly took
a happier turn. 1t was such a relief
TO be away from the drunken, brutal,
savage husband.
But the relief was short.lived.
Afanasi came to my mother after my
disappearance TO inquire for my
whereabouts. She evinced surprise
upon hearing OF my fight denying all
knowledge OF my destination. He re.
turned to our house again and again.
One day in his presence the mall
carrier delivered letter from Shura-
He seized it, and through it learned
that 1 was in Barnaul.
One morning. as was standing on
the deck of the ship, which was an.
chored In the harbor, my eyes sud.
denly fell on a figure approaching the
wharf. It was a familiar figure. In
another moment I recognized It as
that OF Afanasi. My blood froze and
my flesh crept as I sensed what was
coming.
"once fallen into his hands, my
existence would become one of con-
tinuous torture" l thought. II must
save myself"
But how could I escape? II I were
on land I might still have a chance.
Here all avenues are closed. There,
ne Is already approaching the gate
20 tho wharf. He is stopping to ask
question of a guard, who mods
afirmatively. Now, he is walking a
little faster. His face wears a grin
that strikes terror into my heart.
am trapped But no, just a
moment, Afanasi. Don't celebrate yet.
[ rush to the edge of the deck, cross
myself and jump into the deep waters
Of the OBJ. All, what a thrill 1t Is to
die! So I have outwitted Afanasi
after all. It's cold. the water is cold
And am going down, down ."
am glad. I am triumphant. 7 escaped
frona the traps into the arms OF
death.
n awoke, not in Heaven, but in the
hospital. I was observed jumping into
the river, dragged out unconscious
and revived
The authorities questioned me as tc
the cause of any attempted suicide
and drew up a protocol. I told them
OF my husband, OF his brutality, and oi
the utter impossibility OF living with
him.
:, Afanasi was waiting in the ante
room, to see me. My attempt al
drowning had upset him tremendously
II aroused a sense of shame in him
Touched by my story. the authorities
went out and angrily rebuked him
for his maltreatment of me. HI
pleaded guilty. and swore that hi
would be gentle to me in the future.
He was then admitted to the ware
In which I lay. Failing on his knees
he begged my forgiveness, repeating
his oath to me and protesting his low
for me in the most endearing terms
: His pleas were so compelling tina
finally consented to return hom'
with him.
For a while Afanasi was truly |
different man. In spite OF his coars
habits, I was deeply moved by hi
! iforts at tenderness. However. tina
6id not last long. We resumed ou
of drudging toll. And vodka re
bed its grip on him. Once drunk
would turn savage again.
adually life with Afanasi grew a
nerable as before my escape. Tho
mer I turned nineteen, and say
I'd of me nothing but an infinit
ne of dreary years. Afanasi wante
ns to take to drink. resisted. an
hat infuriated him. He made 1t
sabit to torment me daily. holding
(. ,ottie Of vodka to my face. Deridin
N for my efforts TO lift myself abov
nv Environment. he resorted to blow
ana tricks TO force the bitter drin
sown my throat. One day he eve
skood over me with bottle Of vCdk
+ ~ three whole hours. pinning m
town to the ground 30 that ! was Vi
~ 20 move q muscle. i RENAME
HccnqusrabIs.
# 1rlntor came. baked bread for
Cn1dsys went 70 church
&n 6o1 = rslsase NJ frcsa y