davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19
BY JOSEPH l.. THOMSON
rs Told to Ernest Douglas

disappearance at Bogmolstroy, a mining camp
far up in the northern reaches of the Urals
above the Arctic Circle. An American named
Kanta was building mill there. He had as
assistant an unusually bright young Russian.
One day Kanta came out to the mill to find
had moved through it. Every drawer had been
emptied on the floor. Files had been rifled,
even Kanta's private papers. The assistant was
gone; nor did his friends ever get the slightest
trace of him, learn what he was charged with,
or anything at all.
The abject craven fear in which the OGPU
is held by all Russians, except perhaps
few Communist party heads, Is beyond the
comprehension Of any Yankee who has not
lived among them. Every one is suspicious
that every one else is member an informer
of the Gay-pay-oo. The most innocent remark
or act may convict one Of being o counter
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19

Aevolutionist meriting demotion, Punishment to
the prison camps of Siberia or death.
Those fanatics who are in the saddle know
that If Communism Is to endure; and their
necks be safe, the five-year plan for Industrial
ization of the republic must be consummated.
They will tolerate nothing that by the widest
stretch of imagination may be defined as an
attempt. or even a desire, to obstruct the plan.
Doubtless they know that the OGPU pun
ishes many innocent people along with the
guilty" but that probably troubles them little.
Stain has been quoted as saying that it mat
tiers not if a few million humans perish if only
Communism may ultimately prevail
People are executed for the most singular
crimes. Last Summer all copper and silver
coins mysteriousy passed out Of circulation and
cry went up about boarding. 1t was found
that two priests had some 500 rubles, mostly IN
kopecS. Both were shot. friend Of the cook
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19

chine shop.
There was no silver for dental purposes,
much less gold. In fact, gold was so scarce
last Summer that decree was issued calling
on every one to turn in all jewelry to the gov
eminent, even to wedding rings. Millions of
rings went into hiding
At the beginning of last Winter a woman
of my acquaintance, from the Volga region,
happened to be in Moscow. She was without
warm clothing except one old coat that was
in need of a new fur collar and other repairs.
She had little money and no card which per-
mitted her to buy anything in Moscow. Mrs.
Thomson, who had just joined me for the trip
back to the United States, ranked as a tourist
and could help her. She bought for the Volga
women piece of fur at store which is main
tanned for foreigners.
On the street orr friend asked q passerby
where she could fnd tailor dressmaker.
She was directed to q shop on the top 6oor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19

las II, Car of all
the Russians. When
Russia became the Union of
Socialist Soviet Republics he
became an English interpreter
and translator for the Non-fer-
rouS Metal Trust. stationed at
Sverdlovsk, in the Ural Noun
tainS. 1t was there that I knew
him, for Zakjevski was my in
terpreter at intervals through
the 10 months that 1 spent as
. consulting mining engineer
in the employ of the Union of
Socialist Soviet Republics.
found him a delightful COM
panion, and if the supplies that
he occasionally purchased for
me turned up short about half
the items that I gave him
money to pay for there were
extenuating circumstances.
Zakjevski had a wife and boy
OF 8 or 9 years, to whom he was
devoted. The child was thin
and undernouriShed, for there
was never enough to eat in the
Zakjevski household, and little
of the food issued at the trust
store was fit for human con-
sumption. So in the Spring of
1880 it was decided that Nine.
Zakjevski and the boy should
visit some relatives who lived
on farm down near the Cas-
plan Sea, where it might be
possible to obtain the eggs and
vegetables the youngster need
ed. Arrangements for the jour-
ney were made with difficulty,
for the government discourages
travel by persons who have no
pressing Soviet business to
transact, and to that end raised
railroad fares rs per cent last
year.
They left-and nothing more
was heard from them. Letters
came from the relatives asking
why they had not arrived. Yak
jevski was frantic. His appli-
cation for leave of absence to
go and search for them was
coldly refused. He could not
quit, for in Russia one works
at the job to which he is as
signed. and if he leaves without
permission his status is the
same as that of an army de-
Serter.
Finally he got in touch with
the conductor of the train on
which his wife and son had
left. The conductor told him
that at a station some hum
dreds of kilometers down the
line several officers of the
OGPU (Soviet secret police)
got into the coach with Nine.
Zakjevski and suspiciously eyed
q large basket of clothing,
household effects. and so on,
that she had with her. Soon
they accused her, pointblank,
OF being kulak's wife or some
other despicable enemy of the
working class, for she palpably
had more of this worlds goods
than any honest Communist
had a right to possess.
Nine. Zakjevski was a very
hot-tempered woman and she
proceeded to tell the police
what she thought of them. A
violent quarrel ensued. At the
next stop they hustled her and
their baggage off the train.
What became of them? Were
merely thrown into some dung,
knows. zakjevski had been unak
when I left Russia, months af
appearance. There was no rel
arrest. trial or disposition-at lie
the authorities would disclose.
husband and father might as W
to the woods and sought informa
squirrels. The last time I saw hin
up his mind that his wife was
chung to the pathetic hope that so
how, he would be reunited with
This is no unique case. In Russ
out of sight by scores, hundreds
and they stay out of sight.
which the Russians call Gay-pay
the first initial-has got them. S,
are in prison; usually they are de:
I came across another case O
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19

in the house where I boarded
at Kalata came one day to tell
her that his brother had just
been peremptorily shot for kill
ing his family cow that his
starving children might have
meat. A government decree
had been issued forbidding the
private slaughter of cattle.
One night a blonde, rather
attractive woman knocked at
the door of my room in Sverd-
lovsk formerly called Ekaterin-
burg and warned me, in brok-
en- English, that George Zak-
=. jevski was spy for the OGPU.
She gave me no reason for this
extraordinary interest in the
welfare of total stranger. I
thanked her and shut the door,
sure that she, and not Zakjev-
ski, was the spy to be avoided.
A few evenings later she
called again. An American dia-
mond driller named Harrison
was with me. We asked her in
and gave her a glass of wine.
This time she said nothing
about my interpreter, but intro
duced herself as a professional
dancer. She invited us to her
apartment, where she claimed
to have very rare-for Russia
instrument called a piano, for
a little jollification.
We excused ourselves on the
score of the lateness of the
hour. But she did not leave.
She crank some more wine and
became. apparently, very hilari-
Gus. She jumped up and pi-
routed around the room in
ballerina fashion. Next she
seized Harrison in her arms
and literally forced him to
dance with her.
Now, Harrison is a very staid
man of near 60, not at all sus-
ceptible to feminine charms
not addicted to terpischorean
pastimes. Besides, he was not
very well put together. He had
run out of the stickum powder
that he had brought from the
United States to hold his plate
of false teeth in place and ce-
ment was proving a very unre-
liable substitute.
Nevertheless, he did his best
to keep up with the furious
tempo set by his partner. His
teeth flew out and landed on
the floor, and the woman's heel
came squarely down upon them.
The denture was wrecked, and
SO was the party. Our guest
took her departure with profuse
apologies that the crestfallen
driller did not heed. He did
not feel any better when I con-
fided my "hunch" that she had
been sent by the OGPU to
vamp" us and report any
damaging statements oc admis-
sions that we might make. This
Surmise was confirmed later by
information that could not be
questioned.
Harrison was lucky at that.
He had another set of teeth. It
would have been impossible to
get the ruined plate replaced
by any of the girls who are
sent out from Soviet colleges,
after a few months of training,
to serve the outlying districts
as dentists. I went to one of
them and she plugged up my
cavity with bronze from a ma
no silver for dental purposes,
l. In fact, gold was so scarce
hat a decree was issued calling
D turn in all jewelry to the gov
to wedding rings. Millions Of
, hiding.
ming of last Winter a woman
ltance, from the Volga region,
= in Moscow. She was without
eYcent ono old c0at that v,aS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19
Looking In On Russia
Aa yed Man Sa70 the Sova Tyranny Haze Been
abolished BY the Communists but This american Engineer Found Them
His Ten DI0uhs-Sh0r Rah0us and the Secret Police,

FORGE ZAKJEVSKI
was once an off,
Ger in the navy of
his Majesty Nicho-
las II, Car of all
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28
TO-DAY r. THE
Anniversary


On July 10. 1917. Mai.-Gen- Fred
erick B. Maurice. chief director nE
military operations a. the British
war office, issued N summary 3G
the results or three years or wa.
He said. I'm part.
The first year Of tine war, broad
" speaking. was an attempt By Ger.
many to put into effect elaborate
plans which her military S~trntcgista
had been preparing over the space
of many long years. The first phase
was n concentrated attack on
France and Belgium The attack
ON France was checked. first 0n tire
Marine. later on the User and e
Tyres ...
I'm the autumn of 1915 Germany
definitely abandoned her old pre-
war strategic scheme and started Am
ON "a new plan namely. an affc-t
TO upbuild Mittel Europa as q great
block composed Of four su-cnlled
central powers which would com.
mnnd the read no the east.
The end of 1916 found tine sltua-
ton between the two groups Of IN
ttstants about equally balanced, bun
with the scales leaning slightly i1
favor of the entente. During tho
whole third year OE the war Ger
many and her allies attempted Moth
ing on land. They everywhere hava
teHn ON tine defensive.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28
Taking the Bad with the Good

For thirty nine years The Brownsville Herald, under
first one guiding hand then another. has labored for the
upbullding of the city Of Brownsville and of the Rio
Grnnde Valley.
AS a Valley institution the Herald has seen the meta
morphosis of q cow country, sparsely settled, into one or
the richest agricultural sections of the world, dotted with
thriving cities and peopled by farmers, business and pro-
fessional men and women from all sections OF the world.
The Valley has grown because it possesses the tunda-
mentals necessary to such successful growth.
Climate, soil, availability of water for irrigation pur-
poses, geographical location, all have combined to push
this section to the front, and to keep it there.
In the early days of the development of the Valley,
there may have been some grounds for the extremely
sensitive attitude taken by some Valley residents regard
ing the sort of publicity which was sent out from our varl-
Gus Valley communities.
The Valley was being weighed in the balance in
those days, and perhaps it was well that news stories
which might place us in an unfavorable light be kept at
home and not given out TO the world for publication.
Times have changed.
This section is on a firm and stable basis.
News stories "break" here as they break in other
sections of the United States, and when they break they
are going to get into print.
Metropolitan daiies of Texas have been unusually
kind to the Valley. In our early DAYS their editors realized
the difficulties Of building a new country and in many
cases deliberately withheld from publication stories which
had real news value because those stories might have had
an adverse effect on Valley development.
Now that the Valley is firmly entrenched, has really
arrived, we may expect to be treated in the same fashion
ms any other section of the country.
When news breaks in the Valley, it will be published,
not only by Valley newspapers worthy Of the name, but by
papers upstate.
We must take the bad with the good. The mere fact
that something has happened in the Valley which takes
its place among the sensational pieces of news. bad news
il you will, in itself carries no reflection on this section of
the country.
No paper, either in or out Of the Valley, II going to
deliberately malign this or any other section.
On the other hand, the time has come when no paper,
In or out of the Valley. can with justice be asked to with
hold publication Of news Just because that particular piece
of news is not pure boosting material.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28

Prohibition Director Andrew McCampbell of New
York and his raiders captured the largest brewery in that
city uncovered in recent years. 1t is said the plant has the
value of a million dollars. There were thousands of bar
rels Of beer neatly stacked; well oiled and polished
machinery, automatic filters and refTfgerating machinery.
There were ledgers for each borough in New York city and
books containing customers lists are in the hands of Andy
along with the other spoils.
For years and years McCampbell was a deputy to a
United States marshal way down here in Texas. Prohibi-
ton came in. Andy was named as an enforcement of
ficer. His achievements landed him in the city Of New
York. He is a hard headed and hard listed Scot and said
to be a man without price. Now he is making history in
little old New York.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28

ly due 10 failure or the breathing ap-
paratus. Such deaths were not so
frequent when the current passed
through the hind legs and did not
pass through the brain, and still
many died from failure Of the
breathing apparatus. When the cur
rent does not pass directly through
the chest or the upper portion OF
the spinal cord. the respiratory ap-
paratus Is, in men. not so likely 70
be affected.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28
Burbs

Reports that Gandhi will take no
luggage I'D the Indian conference in
London are exaggerated. He will take
"a pair Of trunks. nt least.
In choosing young men for posi-
tons. businessmen do not always
believe in sclOns.
Botanists are the envy Of pcdHS-
TRANS because they risk no dangers
In making IN crossing.
"A farmer IN Pennsylvania mace
$1,000 am acre out on Strawberries
Well. business for him always WA
picking up.
I'm Just making the rounds" Wv
the champ airly said, toying with
a set-up.
Nothing goes to m fellows head
40 much as IA good cA W 0f hay
fever.
The wheat farmer. life some pro-
feSsiOnal men, can also complain
that his field ls ovcr-crowded.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28

investigators mentioned undertook
to study the effect Of electric shock
ON rats I'm Johns Hopkins university
and applied the electrode at various
parts OF the body It was found that
a continuous circuit produces more
danger than alternating current. II
was found that no rat subjected 10 N
continuous circuit survived perma-
nently. Their death was due largely
to the burning and destruction in
the place where the current entered.
Death from electric shock is large
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28

about. touching the rosy lamps I'M
til they glowed in spots Of vivid
color about the luxurious room
You'll have your tea here.
Mlssf"
mo. I believe I'm dress and 20
down The doctor said ! might"
With the maids help Lame
slipped cut on her robe and into a
black frock. I'm II she looked almost
transparency fair and fragile. Her
knees trembled under her.
you're still shaky. MisA.- tho
girl said alphabetically.
I'm all right" Lame assured her.
CHE went down the great stair
- case slowly. holding 10 the rail-
ing. A murmur OF voices came 10
her from the small sitting room.
Her unsteady legs took her deliber-
ately as far as the door.
Thought I ought 10 tell you be-
forehand." Cass was saying in a
troubled tone.
Lame stopped. She scarcely
knew why. Mrs. Cleespaugh's reply
was not entirely clear but the
young girl heard the last few
words. no surprise 20 me 7 was
aware OF II from the first. I am
glad. however. you told me your
self"
Lame felt herself trembling. Al
most she mg cd back but the sound
or Tressa's voice and the opening
Of the great front door forced her
onward.
The two women looked ND
Euiltily. she thought. at her en-
trance.
why. my dearl" Mrs. Cleespaugh
began i'm n tone on benevolent con-
cern- Are You sure you ought 70
have done this7 You look quite
shaken even yet"
They made her SIT down, fused
over her. Cass said. IL was Just
telling Mrs. Cleespaugh that ! ex-
poet 10 20 back 20 town as soon as
the wedding Is over. I have had a
good offer I'm a Shapiro play. L
didn't want to- tell you until you
were on your feet"
"She's hopelessl" Mrs. C~leespauEh
murmured. f~iutterlng over the tea
tray. ~She can't be content IN sit
still and rest for n bit i told her
I knew she was like that"
The two women smiled nc each
other but Lane was not convinced.
In her heart she knew there was
something else afoot-
THAT isn't what mother meant"
she mused- III wonder what 10 is
all about"
Next day Give announced he had
10 70 20 Richmond on business.
Il wish you didn't have to co."
Lame said.
Mothers glad 70 get me out or
the house. I never saw such q
furry. Boxes keep arriving even
in the middle of the night And
caterers mem" He shook his head.
Il tell you what Put on your
hat and come I'm town with me.
Wen get a license nc City Hall and
DO married today You car 80 10
Richmond with me and well avoid
ell the fuss" His eyes looked
bright and mischievous.
Lame shook her head Cant.
Your mother would never for
give us."
He put out his hand touched her
awkwardly. Look here. IN it me
you're marrying? Or m0therT"
SILLY" She shook him on
you'll miss your train"
She stood on the steps. young and
flushed and triumphant. I'm her
riding things. Give had been see
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28

tricity. and In legal executions II Is
customary to put one electrode on
the skull SO that the electricity win
pass through the brain. In an analy-
sis Of 479 cases. an industrial sur
geon found that the current in the
vast majority passed through the
body by the hands or arms and then
was grounded. Occasionally current
enters into the legs Of men work
ing on telegraph wires.
In an endeavor to determine alb
solutely the facts In these cases. the
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-28

ing that she had lessons and She
was doing very we'll he told her
proudly. Her coat and breeches nf
pale gray cloth fitted her charm
ingly. Her boots shona like old
mahogany. Her casual hat was
just right. She might have posed
for an Illustration Am n magazine
devoted 70 country life.
SILLY" She put her small Eloved
hand in his. for goodbye.
-Mayn't I say goodbye TO you
property"
-Out here with Kelly and all tha
grooms standing nround7 She shook
her head at him. all maidenly prim-
ness. -I1l go 700 Tuesday,
He rode on IN a cloud on dust
Lame. signing m little. went into
the house.
She had meant II when she said
she hated 40 have him E0 away.
Give stood as a bulwark between
her and his mothers importunata
fusslng. between her and Tressa
Lords barbed hatred. She didn't
love Give but she was fond ok him.
WHY didn't she love hImf Flo
was young and attractive. His
blue eyes could klndla with IN dark.
ening light His young mouth had
a passionate curve 70 IL. She liked
hts voice. She liked hts sense uf
humor. his k~indliness. But the
spark-well. ~ just wasn't there.
she met Mrs. C~Ieespaugh on the
landing.
my dear. such n stupid thlngi
One or Christmas girls called iuat
now 10 say your fitting is today n
III instead or tomorrow. I'm 6o
sorry. You might have AEone I'm
with Give but it'H too late for that
now. Kelly win have 10 take you.
I've Just rung the garage"
"IIl change right away Lame
answered.
When she came down 1D minutes
later. she found Tressa Lord curled
up I'm one on the hall chairs.
"What-0f 10 town againT~
Tressa asked
Yes. ! have 10 E0. A fitting"
"Too bad. Thought we might
have some bridge"
Lame was puzzled ny the others
change Of front Tressa had scarcely
spoken 20 her Cor a week. Then the
a drove up and she dismissed
the matter. climbing in, waving her
hand. Tressa went down the steps
and disappeared around the rear or
the car Probably going NO tho
stables" Lame thought.
Kelly was N careful driver ao it
was with a sensation 0f real alarm
that Lame observed shortly that
the bEg car was humping and
careening raggedly over the ruts.
Tho chauffeur glanced hack At her
before drawing IN "a stop.
ITS only a FIAT. Miss Barrett
me- said disEustedly, but Madame
said I was 20 make time and this'll
hold us UP m bit"
There's mo garage anywhere I'm
sight" Lame said, anxiousIy con-
sultinE her watch.
"Oh. I can change II IN a lily
Kelly assured her.
Lame took out her vanity case
and began absently 20 rcdden her
lips Absorbed Arm this occupation,
she scarcely heard the purring or
the car drawn up beside her.
"A voice asked m~ockingly. rs the
lady stranded7r
She looked up t0 wee Van RDbard.
unbelievabIy handsome. incredibly
debonair. smiling nt her.
Go BE Continucd)