Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1901 — WHY HE WAS THERE. [ARTICLE]

WHY HE WAS THERE.

Mysterious Looking; Stranger Didn't Relish Curiosity of Natives. The other day a mysterious-look-ing Etranger appeared iu g 6inall town in Holland, and remained five days w ithout the inhabitants finding out his name, whera he came from, or his business. At last the general agitation grew to such a pitch that some one volunteered to interview the stranger in the public weal. Approaching tha taciturn visitor, the interviewer remarked: “Fine day, sir.” “Is it?” said the stranger, dubiously. “Going tostaylongin theseparts?* “Just two days, two hours and 31 minutes longer,” replied the other, consulting his watch and a tima table. “Then—may I—er—ahem!—may I ask what your business is?” persisted the man, as the crowd gathered up closer. “Well, I don’t wish it generally h now n,” replied the si ran ger, co n fidentially,“but I’m a Russian nihilist.* “You don’t mean it?” gasped tha interviewer. “Fact,” replied the man, mournfully. “But—er—what brings you here?* asked the inquisitive questioner. “Well, you see, I was captured in St. Petersburg last month, and'—yon know how severe the government ig on nihilists, don’t you?” “Oh!—yes—of course; go on!” “Well, they sentenced me to 20 years in Siberia or a week in Omersehan.», and I was fool enough ta choose Omersehans.” And with a sigh the man drifted in to dinner.—London Tit-Bits.