Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 56, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1911 — A THRILLING ENCOUNTER [ARTICLE]

A THRILLING ENCOUNTER

Nerve Racking Experience With a Band of Anarchists.

“What do you think of the idea of colonizing the anarchists on an island, in accordance with the bill recently introduced in congress?” asked Perkins of Mickler as they were lighting cigars after dinner. “I don’t think about the anarchist question at all,” Mickler replied. “It gives me a cold chill every time I bear the word anarchist” Perkins looked up, somewhat surprised at the Involuntary shudder that accompanied his friend’s words. “I don’t expect you to feel as I do about the matter,” Mickler continued, “because you haven’t had the same experience. You haven’t lived under the Impression that any moment you might be dropped by a stab Jn the back.” Perkins scrutinized the speaker for a time, then said: “Well, tell me about IL Singular that you’ve never mentioned it before.” “I believe I will.” replied the other. “I’ve kept the secret all these years, and I’m dying to tell some one. Besides, I fancy the danger Is pretty well over. It happened when I was in London, twelve years ago last winter. I was taking a postgraduate course in the university, but instead of paying much attention to lectures I was leading a gay life with a lively set of students. One night I attended a supper, during which we had all put away a good deal of wine, and about 2 o’clock in the morning I started for my rooms. They were in a building occupied, as I understood, as bachelor apartments in all stories except the first or ground floor. Bidding good night to a companion at the street door, I stumbled up the stairs. The cold air, following upon that of the warm room I had been supping in, intensified the effect of the liquor I had drunk, and instead of stopping on the third floor, where I lodged, I went on up to the fifth. Feeling my way in the dark hall to my room, I found a knob in the correct position and, turning it, threw open the door. “The room was brilliantly lighted, though the shutters to every window were closed, and a dozen men were sitting around a table. As the door opened every man started up, and twelve revolvers were pointed at me. “The party around the table were as much surprised as I was. As soon as I could find my tongue I stammered my excuse for interrupting them, assuring them that I had rooms on a lower floor, had climbed too high and had supposed I was entering my own door. One of the number said to me, ‘Stand perfectly still.’ Then, turning to one of his companions, he asked + ‘How came that door to be left unlocked?’ ‘“When Ehrheart went for a pitcher of beer a few minutes ago,’ replied the man, trembling, ‘I was in the inner chamber. I did not know that any one had gone out’ “ ‘You shall pay for this,’ returned the other, who was evidently the chief. Then, turning to me, he said: “ ‘Remain where you are.’ “Beckoning to two other members of the circle, he led them out of the room. I knew they had gone to decide upon my case. Would they conclude to murder me? When they returned I expected to hear that I must die. The leader stood, looked at me in silence for a time, then said: “ ‘Young man, you have committed a blunder that may cost you your life. You are free to leave this room, but members of our circle will be appointed to keep an ever open eye upon you. If you ever tell any human being of what you have seen here you will be put to death at once. The only way for you to live is with the secret locked in your breasL If you reveal it you cannot be sure that the person in whom you confide is not a member of our society, and if your confederate is not a member and tells another he will run the same risk. Go” “There was no need to promise secrecy. No promise was asked. I was simply informed that if I let the secret out I must die. I turned, fearful that I might get a knife in my back, went down the stairs, never stopping at my room, going out into the lighted street There I stood for a few minutes, not knowing what to do. A man came out of the building and without noticing me passed on. I knew he had come to shadow me, and he did. I dared not go [back to my room, so I went to a hotel, where I put up for the night “During the rest of my stay in London I was shadowed constantly. Only occasionally would I notice any one keeping me under surveillance, but I knew the terrible eye of the anarchist circle I had stumbled on was constantly on me. It was not rnbre than a week after my return to America before I received an anonymous communication notifying me that I would be under the watch of the American anarchists. For ten years I continued to be shadowed by these people, and whenever I changed my place of my abode I received notice that the society was informed of the change. A couple of years ago I made my last change, and this time I was surprised at not receiving the customary notice. I assumed that, having kept an eye on me for ten years, the society was convinced that it was safe 1 to let me alone.” I “Now I think of it” said Perkins, “you have had a hunted look.” “Nothing to compare with what I have had within, and if you had seen much of me several years ago you would have seen a walking ghost”