From Plotzk to Boston | Page 5

was such an activity and bustle about everything that I
wished I could join in it, it seemed so hard to sit still. But I had to
content myself with looking on with the others, while the friendly
gentleman whose acquaintance my mother had made (I do not recollect
his name) assisted her in obtaining our tickets for Eidtkunen, and
attending to everything else that needed attention, and there were many
things.
Soon the fifteen minutes were up, our kind fellow-passenger and his
daughter bade us farewell and a pleasant journey (we were just on the
brink of the beginning of our troubles), the train puffed out of the depot
and we all felt we were nearing a very important stage in our journey.
At this time, cholera was raging in Russia, and was spread by emigrants

going to America in the countries through which they travelled. To stop
this danger, measures were taken to make emigration from Russia more
difficult than ever. I believe that at all times the crossing of the
boundary between Russia and Germany was a source of trouble to
Russians, but with a special passport this was easily overcome. When,
however, the traveller could not afford to supply himself with one, the
boundary was crossed by stealth, and many amusing anecdotes are told
of persons who crossed in some disguise, often that of a mujik who said
he was going to the town on the German side to sell some goods,
carried for the purpose of ensuring the success of the ruse. When
several such tricks had been played on the guards it became very risky,
and often, when caught, a traveller resorted to stratagem, which is very
diverting when afterwards described, but not so at a time when much
depends on its success. Some times a paltry bribe secured one a safe
passage, and often emigrants were aided by men who made it their
profession to help them cross, often suffering themselves to be paid
such sums for the service that it paid best to be provided with a special
passport.
As I said, the difficulties were greater at the time we were travelling,
and our friends believed we had better not attempt a stealthy crossing,
and we procured the necessary document to facilitate it. We therefore
expected little trouble, but some we thought there might be, for we had
heard some vague rumors to the effect that a special passport was not as
powerful an agent as it used to be.
We now prepared to enjoy a little lunch, and before we had time to
clear it away the train stopped, and we saw several men in blue
uniforms, gilt buttons and brass helmets, if you may call them so, on
their heads. At his side each wore a kind of leather case attached to a
wide bronze belt. In these cases they carried something like a revolver,
and each had, besides, a little book with black oilcloth covers.
I can give you no idea of the impression these men (they were German
gendarmes) made on us, by saying they frightened us. Perhaps because
their (to us) impressive appearance gave them a stern look; perhaps
because they really looked something more than grave, we were so

frightened. I only know that we were. I can see the reason now clearly
enough. Like all persons who were used to the tyranny of a Russian
policeman, who practically ruled the ward or town under his friendly
protection, and never hesitated to assert his rights as holder of
unlimited authority over his little domain, in that mild, amiable manner
so well known to such of his subjects as he particularly favored with
his vigilant regard--like all such persons, I say, we did not, could not,
expect to receive any kind treatment at the hands of a number of
officers, especially as we were in the very act of attempting to part with
our much-beloved mother country, of which act, to judge by the pains it
took to make it difficult, the government did not approve. It was a
natural fear in us, as you can easily see. Pretty soon mother recovered
herself, and remembering that the train stops for a few minutes only,
was beginning to put away the scattered articles hastily when a
gendarme entered our car and said we were not to leave it. Mamma
asked him why, but he said nothing and left the car, another gendarme
entering as he did so. He demanded where we were going, and, hearing
the answer, went out. Before we had had time to look about at each
other's frightened faces, another man, a doctor, as we soon knew, came
in followed by a third gendarme.
The doctor asked many questions about our health, and of what
nationality we