2oS THROUGH RUSSIA ON A MUSTAXG. 



it is hardly necessary to add that this plan is not only 

 the easiest but very often the only possible way. Though 

 the salary is only about 200 rubles a year, the posi- 

 tion of Little Governor is said to be one of the 

 most coveted offices in Russia. Certainly, the average 

 Russian, below a certain rank, would ask for no better 

 paradise than to be autocrat of the hallway of a Pro- 

 vincial Governor's mansion. 



This particular Little Governor looked as if he were 

 the depository of all the secrets of Ekaterinoslav; and 

 it was as good as going to the theater to see a new 

 comedy, to sit in his little domain an hour and observe 

 his fine play of airs and condescension toward appli- 

 cants for admission to the Governor. 



His Excellency the Governor turned out to be a 

 bland, amiable, and sensibly diplomatic gentleman. 

 His words were honey and his smile as bewitching and 

 irresistible as the blandishments of a lovely woman. 

 He inquired after our health and assured us that we 

 were to him as if we were his own sons. He had heard, 

 he said, that an agent of the Society for the Preven- 

 tion of Cruelty to Animals had examined our horses 

 and had found one of them with a saddle sore, but 

 hoped that this would not delay us very long. 



Sascha was so thoroughly overcome by the witchery 

 of the great man's blandishments that he seemed to 

 rise off the very floor with electric expansion. 



" I pray Your Excellency," said he, "to give us a 

 letter saying that you have no suspicions of us; that 

 you have seen us and believe us to be good men." 



"I have seen you," said the Governor, "and have 

 pleasure to admire you," (yubovatsa) and his Excel- 



