PAGE 8
ORLEANS COUNTY MONITOR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20. 1913
i ' " 1 ' ; : ; : , ; . . .
0
The Pisoers,
Alphabet
:: flow' a Girl Learned It and
:: It ted to Her Freedom
T By CATHERINE KRONIN
,I..1..I,.I,I..I,.I,.i..h..i i i i i i"i"t"I"I"I I I I H
-. r My father was a landed proprietor in
the department of Koskoma, Russia.
Our peasants, who had formerly been
serfs and not many years liberated,
were very ignorant, and it seemed to
me then a girl of twenty that the
first thing to do to better their condi
tion was to educate them, for they
were only fitted for a grade of labor
but little above what was performed
by beasts of burden. Indeed, they
were treated by the government offi
ciate as cattle. I have seen a man go
into a clamoring crowd with a stout
whip and scatter them as he would so
many steers.
My father forbade mo to do anything
for the poor creature that was not
permitted by the government, know
ing well that by doing so I would get
into trouble. But my sympathies were
so strong that I consented to teach
clandestinely. I found it easier, to
teach the children, and I used a back
room in a peasant's.cottage f or a school.
I had not been long at the work , be
fore the secret got out. and one day the
government officials broke into the
room while my school was in session,
and I was caught red handed.
1 I pass over our dreary march to Si
beria, for it iias nothing to do with my
story. That story begins on the first
night of my arrival at the prison at
Kara. I was lying on my cot in my
cell, overcome with that dreadful feel
ing of being locked in and wishing that
death would relieve me from the suffer
ings in prospect for me. I do not know
whether it had seemed bleaker to me
outside or now that I was within the
prison walls. So unendurable were my
thoughts that I tried to turn them to
the home I had left my father, my
mother and my sisters. But I knew
they were suffering on my account, and
to think of them gave me no relief.
But dark as the prospect was, deep
as the gloom in which I was plunged,
there came something that turned my
thoughts from my misfortunes. A
heating pipe entered my cell at the
floor and ran perpendicularly through
the ceiling. Suddenly a sound passed
over the pipe, as when steam is turned
"on in a radiator. It was but one tiny
tick, such as would be made by the
pipe being struck by metal. It was im
mediately followed by another tap,
then a short interval, then a third
Next three taps came together, follow
ed by two.
This was enough to Indicate that the
sounds were not made by the expan
sion or contraction of the pipes from
heat or cold, but that some one was
tapping on them, with what I did not
know. I listened for some time,' dur
ing which I knew that a message was
being transmitted; but. since I did not
know the code. I could not interpret it
When it ended another series of taps
commenced, and there was a differ
ence in the key, indicating that the
later series was produced by a differ
ent instrument from the first
Oh, blessed relief something to
think about something to unravel 1
Messages were being transmitted
through my room over the heating
pipe. I was at once interested in read
ing them. Had I known of the Morse
telegraphic code which I : did not I
would have surmised that this one was
similar. The Mors oode Is composed
of dots and dashes. This prison cod
was composed ot taps and, intervals.
For instance, one tap might mean tha
letter A, two taps B, two taps and ona
after an interval C, one tap and two
after an interval D, and so on.
I did not gain a knowledge of a sin
gle letter that night though two per
. sons caiKea over tne pipe for some
time. All communication ceased a
quarter of an hour before the last visit
of the guard and recommenced a quar
ter of an hour after the . round had
been made, the persons continuing to
communicate for half an hour, when
.they ceasea, giving me the nrst cue
to their code. The last two divisions
or words as I took them to be were
tapped after a short silence, and the
game taps and intervals were repeated
by the person who ra-elved them.
I had by this time learned to sep
arate letter from letter and word from
word. These last two words, tapped
and repeated, were composed the firs!
of four, the second of five letters.. 1
listened for some time for more, but
henrd nothing, and it occurred to me
that the words spoken were intended
for a closing of the conversation, just
as today persons talking over a tele
phone say "goodby" to each other to
Indicate that they have nothing more
to say. Immediately it flashed txpon
! j ' 'me' that the words spoken were good
by,' but the second word of goodby is
composed of two letters, whereas, as
, , ! i hn re i said, the second word of the
, last'message was composed of five.
"I have it! The message was 'good
night'"
So ended the first evening of my pris
Pn life. for. small as the distraction
from my troubles was. it was enough,
worn out as I was. to bring on sleep.
I passed into unconsciousness, think
ing that probably the messages would
recommence on the morrow and I
should . have.' something ; to do to ;eauJ
the messages, for if my interpretation
of the two , words was correct I had
seven letters,- Surely that would be
quite enough to give me the others in
time, though I remembered them im
perfectly and needed to hear .them
again.
. I did not hear them, again till the
next night; but I beard other letters
and short words that added to my
knowledge of the code. The letter 1
was used quite of ten by itseif. as was
the letter A. .Besides, when a con
versation was ended during the day
the last words were two, and I was
not long in interpreting them as "good
by." , : This gave me nine letters, or
a third of the alphabet Within a
few days I had It all, but it required
practice to read. As to telegraphing
myself, I practiced at sending messages
to myself by tapping with my finger
on the wall of my cell and soon be
came quite proficient '
As soon as I could read readily I de
termined to take a hand in the dia
logues. Two men, both politicals, were
communicating, the one a young man
who had been sent to Siberia from a
university; the other had been impli
cated in a conspiracy to assassinate a
minister of police. The latter was
much older than the former at least
he talked more sedately while the stu
dent was full of hope and enthusiasm.
He was discussing with the other plans
for escape, which his correspondent
discouraged as impossible and would
only bring down more horror on those
who attempted them.
The call signal I learned at the out
set It was three taps at intervals till
the party to be called responded. When
I was sufficiently practiced to hold a
conversation I gave the signal. A re
ply came. -
"What "is it. Paul?"
I made the reply myself. I said that
I was a political prisoner.' a young girl
that I had heard their conversations
over the pipe and had interpreted their
code. I would be plensed to talk with
them when they were not engaged
chatting with each other. Paul, the
university man, asked me how long 1
had been in learning the code and.
when I told him, complimented me on
my readiness. I asked him if he were
not afraid of the prison authorities be
coming aware that he was communi
cating, to which he replied that the
prisoners all knew ti:e hours when the
guards were due and Were careful to
refrain from tapping when they came
round. He added that the latter were
a stupid lot and, if they heard the tap
ping and suspected a code, could never
learn it as 1 had done.
Doubtless the principal deterrent
from insanity among prisoners is plan
ning escapes. Paul, who, I learned, was
in the cell directly below me, was full
of these plans, which he had been
proposing to Alexis, who was in the
cell above mei. After I came into the
trio Paul consulted me rather than
Alexis as to the practicability of his
plans, but I had not been there long
enough to have any knowledge of the
prison or the habits of our guards and
could be of no use to him. Neverthe
less he finally laid a plan intended for
my escape, with the assistance of the
other two. which Alexis pronounced
feasible, though not probable. No es
cape could be made without bribing
the guard, and this could not be done
without his being able to make it ap
pear that he was innocent A woman,
Maria, had charge of the cells for the
woman prisoners, and I succeeded in
winning her sympathy. Indeed, she
became so fond of me that she would
willingly aid me to get away provided
she should not suffer for negligence or
abetting me in my escape.
Paul's plan was for ' me to effect a
change of clothing with him, to pretend
illness, be sent to the hospital and trust
to luck to get back into woman's attire
and go out as an unidentified prisoner.
There seemed to be no way to carry
out the initiatory part of the plan until
I proposed to do j my clothes up in a
bundle that could; be put through the
window bars and: let it down to Pavu
on the floor below.; , Then I would haul
poor
mine
Local News
CONTINUED FROM PAGE FOTJ&
up his clothes by jthe same means. I
could make a cord by tearing, certain
articles of. my clothing into strips.
We exchanged the clothing without
difficulty, and the next morning when
Maria came around she found me in
man's dress. I offered, if she would
help me, to send her a thousand rubles
from home.' This she declined, but
agreed to assist me because she pitied
and loved me. though she would be
obliged to leave the prison and Kara
as well as I if she did so. She went
away. ' leaving my cell unlocked. 1
agreeing to give her a couple of hours
to get away. At the end of that time
I walked out into the corridor till I
saw a jailer approaching, then fell on
the floor. Coming to me, he picked me
up and. not knowing who I was. but
thinking me to be ill. sent me to thf
hospital, where I was put to bed.
The nurses were men, and I had nc
opportunity to appropriate a woman's
clothes. But at midnight I got out of
bed in my nightclothes and went out
into tne prison yara. mere i was
picked up by an official and. being a
woman, was taken to the woman's hos
pital, the man supposing me to have
come from there. Before morning
had stolen the uniform of a nurse and
in this disguise succeeded in making
my escape.
: I had j appointed i a rendezvous wit!
Maria and took her with me to Berlin
where I communicated with my fa
i I mil-
All this happened twenty years ago
and Maria has been in my service ever
since. ' '
I heard some time after my leaving
Kara that Paul had made his escape
and had gone to America. I have
jived since leaving Russia in Germany.
I suppose 1 should sacrifice myself
again for the 'cause, but the prospect
A baby show will be an important
feature-of Field Day, Aug, 30. This
is open to all children under four-years;
of age. Awards''.' will be made to the
best developed child under two years.
and between -two and four years.;.
There will be a parade s in which all
little ; ones under ' four years ' are
invited to take part. Mothers wanting,
information concerning . the parade
may see . the committee, , Mrs. ,L. W.3
Merriam and Mrs. M. W. Johnson. ;f
V WEST GLOVER "
- i . . ' . , . ;
'C. C. King visited his son; ; Chester,
in Passumpsic last week.
Mrs. Alma Martin is spending a short;
time in the home of E. C. Baker. -
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wilson spent
Sunday with his uncle, H. Basford.,
Mrs. Myrtle Wilson has gone to
Albany to care for Mrs. Kennerson. -
Mrs. Joseph Cook and Mrs. Jameson
of Irasburg called on friends here last
week. , .
Mrs. Couch and daughter from
Connecticut are guests at Lyman
Barber's. 4
Miss Cora Curtis, district nurse,
visited her friend, Mrs. Agnes Cook,
the first of the week.
The many friends of Mrs. fKate
Dwinell are glad to hear favorable
reports from the hospital.
Russell Humphrey from Newport is
spending several weeks at the home of
his uncle, George Humphrey.
Mrs. Julia Magoon and Miss Jennie
Magoon spent Sunday with their sister,
Miss Alice Laclair in Sheffield.
The Willing Workers met in the
schoolhouse hall Aug. 13th and work
was done on quilts. ' Sapper was
served. : '- '
Clyde Clement from. Snrinrfeld.
Mass., Mrs. Emma Dudley from Hart-1
ford, Conn., Mrsv.Lucy . Sherburne tand
Miss Lois Sherburne from Gloversville, ;
JN. x., visited at ii..A. Humphrey s the .
past week. ' :
GREENSBORO
Dr. C. H. Cook from Natick, Mass.,
is visiting his brother, J. B. Cook.
Geo. D. Silver, who has been quite
ill, is more comfortable at this writing.
Rev. Henry E. Jackson from Mont-
clair, N. J.. supplied the Presbyterian
pulpit Sunday.
Rev. C. F. Carter will supply the
pulpit at the Congregational church
Sunday morning.
Bert Calderwood of Nashua, N. H.,
who is in poor health, is stopping with
his brother, Hiram Calderwood.
Miss McWilliam from West Carle-
ton, N. Y., is spending the month of
August at Rev. F. A. Collins's.
Kev. Wm. K. Lord will give an
illustrated lecture on birds Friday
evening, Aug. 22d, at the Congregational
church.
The concert Wednesday, evening
given by our summer residents was of a
high order and greatly appreciated by
ai full house.
Judge W. P. Stafford of Washington,
D. C, delivered a very interesting and
instructive lecture to a large audience
at the Congregational church' Friday
evening.
Thursday a. J. .Laird tell from a
load of hay striking the upturned
tines of a pitchfork one of which
passed through the fleshy part of one
of his legs.
The second annual Vermont Presby
terial Chautauqua held at the Presby
terian church the 11th and 12th had a
arge attendance and was both inter
esting and instructive. The address ty
Kev. u. it. watson. jj.jj ., ot fhiiadel-
1 T"fc . A 1 1
pnia, ra., giving tne audience a rare
treat.
GREENSBORO BEND
B. Cv Davis is gaining.
The Ritchie mill starts up again this
1. V.
Mr. ana Mrs. uarron uollins are
stopping at L. S. Collins's.
1 John A. King was here several days
ast week looking after his interests.
Two more suits were brought against
Kornfllri Xr Kishfift , last wopIt i , Thia
cbmpany came ' here from Berlin, N.
d., two years ago and was engaged in
the pulp wood business but disappeared !
ast March, owing their help and the
merchants here about $3000 which they
do not seem inclined to pay.
The house on the farm known as the
Sparhawk place and occupied by
William Kusseu ana tnree sons was
burned early Thursday morning. The
fire was first discovered by Mrs.
Russell about 4 o'clock in the morning.
the woodshed and ell part of the house
being in flames, and making such rapid
headway that but a tew articles of fur
niture were saved from this house. The
house was built by the late Dr. Spar-
1 1 1. 1 J. A 1
nawK aooui len or iweive years ago.
costing $3500 and was one of the best
farm houses in this section. The
Russells had ' erected the present
summer a large barn 46x180 feet on
i-i .r .1 i .
tne site oi me one Durnea two years
ago ami the loss falls very heavily upon
the Russell family, who have been
working4 Very hard to complete the
barn.
WESTFIELD
DEFERRED
Miss Pearl Powers of Newp rt is
visiting in town.
Mrs. JL-ora courser is ouuding a
veranda on the front of her house,
1 On PVirlov ovpnintr Aiicr 8 too Weak.
fieki and -Troy-parishioners of Rev. F. j
BrHydeteridered him and his family
at the church. An entertaining 'pro--gram
"was rendered in . which-- Mrs. Fv
J. Kihriey, Mrs. McGinnis and MisS'
Mildred Bell sang solos and Mrs. C. F.
Bodge presented several readings.
Burt- Courser rendered several pieces
on his .phonograph. Cake and coffee,
were served.' H. B. Hitchcock in be
half Ao'f the ' cdmpany' presented "Mr.
Hyde with b sum of money. Mr. ,Hyde
r accepted, the sajne witl fitting ..words
01 appreciation .ana in.anKs. . s. ;
wLloughby
, DEFERRED v. " : r:
Mrs. Ernest cShane of . Sutton .ancl
Miss Florence... Switzer and . Clayton
Mbrse of Lexington, "Mass., - 'wefe
guests at Orrin Gray's Tuesday
There: was. a, surprise party Aug. . 11
given' by Effie Gray to her cousin
Louise to remind her of her seventh
birthday Louise receiving, money as
gifts after, a little supper was served,
and the little children preparing to
return ia their homes, little Louis
thanked them all for coming to see her.
Mrs. Louis Lord and family are, visit
ing her mother Mrs. Abbie Forrest.
There was no service at the school
house Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Webb visited her
father at Rock-Island recently.
Mrs. Jospehine Forrest has returned
to her home in Warren, Me. t
;. - .-.Wasted Advice. -
Mothar (at the shore Now. you must
be very discreet with the young men
jqu maty meet here. Louise. Elderly
Daughter (with- a sigh I know, mam
kmu They scare dreadfully easy
'- ki -. ' v
of that horrible prison life deters me"'j'school
POWER OF THE MAJORITY.
It is important npi to rotifound..
stability witfr fiiv-i nr thn srreat-''
iiess of a tiiinji with its duration.
In democratic- repuhli'-s the pow
er wbirb directs six-Jet y. is not.
stable, for it "often chaires hands
and assumes a new direc-tion.
but whichever way' it turiis its
force is almost irresistible. The
governments of the American
republics appear fo 'hie to be as
much centralized as those of the
absolute, monarchies of Europe,
and more energetic than they
are. do not therefore imagine
that they will perish from weak
ness. If ever the free institu
tions of Amrfc&uVe destroyed
that event may life attributed to
the omnipotence of the majority,
which may at some future time
urgs the minorities to despera
tion aud oblige them to have re
course to physical force. An
archy will then be the result,
but it will,, have been brought
about by despotism. Alexis de
Tocqueville:
aiBffiO m& IB) bass
, -. tC ytr si'----
jbess jpamma
- ' ,- :
Send Your Children to School
Black Cat Stockings
Note how much longer they wear.
See how little darning they need.
The heels are extended, the toes
and knees are reinforced so they
give double the wear of ordinary
stockings. They are made espe
cially for children who are "hard
on stockings,"
We specialize on Black Cat
because we know they give the
wear and satisfaction you demands
The makers of Black Cat Stock
ings have been making, them for
30 years. They certainly have
learned in that time how to make
stockings that wear.
ore Wear
Black Cat Hose
We carry Black Cat Chil
dren's .Stockings in.all sizes and
three grades. Cotton, 15c and 25c
a pair ; Silk Lisle, 35c a pair. And
we as well as the makers guarantee
them. . . v
This is the store for your chil
dren's , school outfits shoes, hats,,
caps, gloves, furnishings, all at the
most attractive prices. ' -
Buy v all Your Children's 7
School Things Here.......
BARTON,
olYvas
VERM ON
Meal
''AiXe you using our
Roller Process
If not, you are not getting the best value for your
money. '
Molasses Feed, Distillers Grain
And in fact a strictly first-class line.
Custom
Hi-
m
ding a Specialty
C. MacFarland & Son
BARTON-
VERMONT
SWEATER
GOATS
Will be on exhibition and for sale in
Floral Hall, the at Orlearis County
Fair Ground, week of August 19th,
20th, 2 1 st and 22nd. The largest
variety of latest styles and shades
ever shown in Northern Vermont
Prices from 50c. to $7.00 per
garment
Mrs. Walter Currier of Newport is
visiung ner parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Goddard. , . ' '
Ephraim Courser has 1 sold his farm
on the East hill to 1 Alfred Griggs,
consideration, $b00. ' -
Wiljard; and, Guy Farman went , to
juast iunarieston Saturday ;to ! attend
the funeral of Gedrge Andrews.
Miss Grace Lombard of Hartford,
Mass., is visiting at H. D. Miller's.
Miss Chella Miller and guests ascended
Jay Peak Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Miller have re
turned to Auburndale. Mass. Lee
Miller accompanied them to attend
BEAUTIFY YOUR HOMES
with Macy Sectional Book Cabinets. Have nothing in
your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe
to be beautiful. A library certainly ought tp have
books in it, but so ought each and every room in the
house, more or less. The designs chosen for Macy
Book Cabinets are those best adapted to our modern
homes. The styles are :
Sheraton Colonial Arts and Crafts
Mission and . Old English ;
Brick Mahogany Quartered Golden Oak
Plain Oak, antique and weathered ,
Fumed Oak and early English finish
Chippendale
In Mahogany
A COMPLETE AND GENEROUS HOME DESK
Good style and convenient arrangement; may be used as a separate
piece of furniture or in combination with the standard book sections.
May be had in Oak and Mahogany. We are showing a good hne of
these cases. '" ' . : ' '
C. P. JENNESS
v
BARTON,
VERMONT
D
H IS WEI El K WE HAVE
California Elkrta Peaches
At $1.25 per Crate
The best Peaches that grow on a tree for canning.
Bartlett Pears, Watermelons
and Sweet Potatoes.
do w d 11
BARTON,
Oppoeite Passenger Depot
VERMONT
3C