James P. Smythe

“ There were no more than two men killed, I know it; so you may feel sure, when you hear that all were killed in the house that it is a lie. Somebody must have been burning things in the stove long before--maybe in the daytime or the early evening; the stove was almost cold,--the Reds got something out of it, I did not see what it was. When I understood that the whole family had been taken away, dead or alive, or had somehow disappeared, and that there was nothing for us to do, I took Philip and we rushed back to Syvorotka. The trucks and the chauffeurs were all gone. ”

“ Together with Comrade Adolf Pashinsky,--a Pole from the dreadnaught "Andrey Pervozvanny,"--I am walking on the Great Liberty Street, and inside of the fence, watching the prisoners in the Mansion, and watching to see that supreme justice--the will of the people--be done.
My companion--is a muscular man of thirty, without front teeth; his thin lips are always curved in a bad smile; his brain is such that he cannot think and speak of anything that would not be vulgar and vicious. ”

“ I said,--"there is nothing now that would be of interest to you."
"Everything interests me, dear. Aren't you mean to your Lucie?... Very well, hide it yourself, burn it, if you can't hide it. Can't you keep in your mind your impressions? Do you promise? Consider me too!"
"I promise. I'll do it. I must only write all about this evening. Every word. This evening I almost trust you. ”

“ Don't you need a friend? Can't we live without deceiving each other, without robbing,--eh? I came here, Lucie,--and behind all of my intentions was one thing only: I hoped to find you, and tell you how much I love you. ”

“ Is it true they are to take Father away? Now, I know you are a gentleman. What would you advise us to do? I think we are all lost."
Pashinsky started to come back; then a Lett passed, so the voice stopped. Pashinsky came near me and said, "The Heir never cries when I tease him. Believe me, he is a hard kid. What do you think if I scare him more?"
"Yes," I said, "a stubborn child." "I must try again," and he walked away.
The window again gave way. "Please," the same voice said, "can't you give any advice to us? We are so frightened! Father is praying; Mother's very ill; we are all alone." ”

“ We are paying for our readiness to save Serbia. We are dying for it--and I do not regret it. I know that from our dead body, from our bier--poisonous flowers are growing; their fragrancy will send pestilence and destruction to our lucky Allies, and ruin them, and ruin them.... ”

“ On the front stairs I noticed two women and a boy, in whom, notwithstanding his torn-out shoes and unhappy looks, I recognized the unfortunate Heir to the Russian Throne. Someone called him in--and he went slowly into the house. Two Reds passed near the women smoking pipes and dragging the rifles by their bayonettes. They both looked piercingly at the women and exchanged a few words with each other. The women slowly moved toward the house. Their life must be a real torture within this fence!
A man of medium height passed from the Mansion and crossed the street. ”

“ And the picture of the old woman that broke her hip on the deck--and provoked laughter, comes to me.
The second day of my occupation,--it was about eleven when the sentinels were changed and the night was warm and bluish, the demonstration, perhaps in my honor, was exceptionally noisy and obscene.
"How do you like it?" asked Pashinsky gloriously, looking at me and showing, instead of teeth, a burned-out cemetery in his mouth. "Don't they get enough? They just went to bed--and here is the music." ”

“ Botkin said, "I still would like to know whom I have the pleasure of speaking to?"
"Syvorotka is my name. I'll stay here in the hotel for a while."
He looked at me without any confidence.
"As you please," he said, "I cannot force you to take the mask off. Good-by."
We shook hands,--and I left the Kornilov's House.
Here I am in the Hotel. Dirty hole--that's it. No linen. A mattress covered with spots. Rotten humor.
Botkin fears that the efforts might compromise those who are around the Mansion. He fears even those who are in exile. He fears everything. But--not for himself. ”

“ Isn't it a crowd of the same enemies of the people? Isn't this 'Parliament' against our will? Shall we, proletarians, consider the question of a Constituent Assembly? Would it not be an act of counter-revolution? ”

“ However, I stood for a bit near the doors and listened to the singers, and then decided to go to the Catholic church, for only Russian Reds must not pray; Polish Reds happen to have this privilege.
There is no difference in fact. I wanted to be closer to something elevated.
The lights were so quiet and peaceful looking in the dark church through high-colored windows. There were not many people in their church, so I could concentrate. But instead of a Christian quiet, I got something else. I guess the idea came to me when I thought that Pashinsky was a Pole. ”

“ A friend may ask for me here, and I would be sore if she could not find me,--if she only cares."
"Oh, she will," he laughed, "she will. Of course, I am not posted in your personal affairs, but--a lady always can find one, if she cares. Ha-ha-ha! Youth is always youth! But you better go without leaving traces...."
I continued:
"Nachman, there is another thing. Here is an old man,--a friend of mine,--he is very sick. His days are numbered, and I feel very sorry for him. If I go away all will be lost for this old chap; he has nobody in this world. ”

“ Why is there such a hatred for these,--this poor man, these five women and a boy? Such unnecessary torture of people of the past,--nothing but a man who awaits the end of his tragedy, nothing but a frail boy, nothing but five trembling ladies. ”

“ I have grown-up daughters at home. I cannot. Besides he gives me money, so why shouldn't I? I will stay in the corridor and won't let anybody come in, on this side of the House. I know nothing of your business. Go on, have your pleasure."
"No, Pashinsky," I said, "that will not do. I must be with you. I have to protect you besides, you idiot; Fost can only see what is in the house, but supposing someone comes from down here? You think they will forget such an outrage to the Soviets? ”

“ The Mansion was black; not a light in the windows. The four girls, left alone in this nest of rattlesnakes,--were probably sitting in some far distant corner,--crying, trembling, praying,--and waiting for the worst, which they feared was coming.
51
To kill a man? Nothing more agreeable if it is the right one,--I should say! And in such country where the trial is impossible. I did not know I ever could,--but...
Pashinsky started soon after the Emperor was taken. He and Fost asked me for a conference behind the quarters, when we were waiting to change the watchmen. ”

“ Comrades,--before us are three questions; 1st--whether to release the prisoners and give them to the Tobolsk people under the auspices of Comrade Kobylinsky and his men, or 2d--whether to try the prisoners right here by the people's tribunal, or 3d--to comply with some other requests--which I have the authority to propose--to send the prisoners to a Ural city. Let us proceed with the first question. I put this proposition to the ballot in this way: the Tobolians, and amongst them the popes, the monarchists, all of the counter-revolutionary trash do not want the Peoples' rule. ”

“ I answered. "Why don't we shoot? It makes more noise and frightens much more."
"We used to do so," he said with regret, "but all these burjoois, and the popes, and the whole carrion of Tobolsk did not like it. So we have decided for the moment not to. Nobody can forbid singing. We are free. The air belongs to the Soviet Government." ”

“ The Detachment of Special Destination was thus dissolved and Comrade Kobylinsky was allowed to proceed to Petrograd.
With a headache from the noise and smoke I left the court-room and went out in the City Square to breathe a little fresh air. Children were playing with sand and toys. Children of the New Russia! Russia of free speech, free thoughts, free ways! God, what will grow out of you?... ”

“ Botkin turned to me and continued:
"Perhaps I was too hasty about this 'no answer.' I should've said it otherwise. I think it is of no use to attempt to do anything, that's the idea. If any plan will be successful,--it will not be this," he showed the letter, "though it is appreciated, trust me when I say it! We are confronted with other interests, we happen to be in somebody's game." ”

“ Before--in Petrograd--we all have had this very same fear of our select caste for a newcomer, just as these have. In our midst the man who tried to break in would be caught right away. Now I understand this little, mean, reptile impulse of catering to the one whom you seek, this feeling that the parvenu must have felt, this sensation of the necessity of flattering, for which one blushes in the nights, for which one can't sleep and turns endlessly in warm cushions. The parvenu! ”

“ So--accepted in the ranks of those that go wherever they wish, that do whatever their left foot feels like doing, those that continue to remodel the country, those that are so free in every action--I sat near the powerful man,--Comrade Nachman--as equal to equal. ”

“ A woman is a woman--always flattered when she sees persistence. She consented to take me into her game. I had to swear, and cross my heart, and give endless words of honor,--all that for a position of a traffic man, like the one in Tumen. ”

“ In the afternoon we buried Pashinsky. I gave my share for a wreath with red ribbons and the inscription "To him who fell for Proletariat--Long live the International," and was present at the funeral. Dutzman made a speech; a very pathetic one.
In the evening the sentinels were doubled. There are lights in every room now. There was a light in every corridor. The ladies--are,--for the moment being, out of immediate danger. The Soviet decided to transport all to Ekaterinburg,--as soon as a steamer will be available.
Today Nachman called on me. ”

“ Who in the devil will nowadays snivel about Spring and myths? All sentiment died in Russia; everything, at least, looks dead,--but the co-operative Societies: they plan a large business, meaning "trusts" when they advertise for "co-operation." ”

“ No one could make out what really had happened and who had shot him; some said that they went away in trucks, yet, in the evening, some that a detachment sent by the Soviet took them secretly out, some said aeroplanes. All were wrong, for Philip had just come back and the trucks were in place, no one came into the Ipatiev's house as I was on guard, and there had been no aeroplanes since six o'clock. Pytkan was almost dead when Khokhriakov finally got from him that the family had been shot and taken away--and then he began to expire. ”

“ He is with us, of course,--but we must get rid of him."
"Well, you boys have good times here," (I said dreamily) "I am glad I came. It's great! All these people had enough of our blood. Now--the people rule themselves! Great life!"
"You bet! Stay with us longer and you'll see better things...."
43
Next day,--it was about four,--Pashinsky, who sticks near me thinking I am his best friend and admirer, punched me with his elbow and said:
"Look, look. Who is coming."
The Emperor, stooping and walking with tottering steps, was passing from the garden into the house. Dr. Botkin was with him. ”

“ This morning Pashinsky repeated that the Em. will be taken to Ekaterinburg with the Empress and the Heir. The daughters will stay here for a while. "Believe me, we'll have a good time," he said, offensively breathing in my face.
I stood near the gates of the fence when Dr. Botkin passed. Nobody was near me, Pashinsky having gone for a drink of water into the quarters. I said without turning my head:
"Decision taken to send only the Em. and Empress and the Heir. Daughters will stay here." Dr. Botkin did not stop. ”

“ Here is the real danger, but only in case Colonel Kobylinsky and his Detachment of Special Destination would consent to join the Soviets. They all hesitate, not the Colonel, however.
The meeting of the Peoples' Commissaries from Petrograd (Khokhriakov) and Kaganitsky (from Ural, I guess) is certainly worthy of description. I went there, leaving for that reason my Mansion duties-- (simply by saying to Pashinsky "tell them I am not coming to the Mansion as I have to attend the meeting") ; nowadays military service is really a pleasure. ”

“ The new man who took command of the guards and his assistant, assembled the men and organized a meeting; Syvorotka was present. Some of the people spoke of the "hidden treasury"; some spoke of the People's Tribunal; some insisted upon a wholesale killing,--for the loyals and the Czechs are rapidly approaching, and from everywhere come rumors about uprisings. ”

“ A woman cannot get on without these chats. On the other hand--woman speaks to the man about it with a concealed contempt: what does a man understand? She does not get angry when she sees that the man does not listen ”

“ I'll get Pashinsky at the first attempt.
My God, what nonsense I think of!...
49
Schtolz. Jackson. Vieren. The man with the wounded leg. Kitser. Dutzman. Khokhriakov. Fost. Pashinsky. Kart. Fedor. Laksman. Vassiliev (son) . Kobylinsky. Perkel. Niestadt. Cymes. Leibner. Vert. Wang-Lee. Frenkel. The fat Kister. Vygardt....
(a few lines scratched out)
50
The "Kitai" was at the pier when we--the detachment of twelve, guarding a silent man and a hysterical woman--came there under the cover of night; it was raining, though the air was warm. ”