Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-25

'She had four sons, one OF whom was my father.
Three of them were determined gamblers, and
neither of them could win the secret from her,
though it would have done them great deal of
good, and me also. But listen to what nv uncle,
Count Ivan Hitch, told mel have his word of
honor for the truth of the story. Tchaplitzki-
you know who mean; he who died in extreme
want after having spent millions ?-well, once,
when he was very young man, he lost three
hundred thousand roubles at play with Zoritch.-
tie was in despair. Ny grandmother, who was
seldom indulgent to the faults of youth, made-I
know not why-an exception in favor of Tchap-
htzkl. She gave him three cards to play, one af
ter the other, exactng from him his word of hon
or never to play again in his life. Tchaplitzki
promised, and then went to Zoritch, and asked for
his revenge. He put fifty thousand roubles on the
first card-won; and doubled his stake and at
the third COUP repeated my grandmother's luck.
But there's six O'Clock striking: it's time to 90 to
bed
Every one emptied his glass, and the party broke
up.
l. The old Countess Anna Fedotovna was seated
before glass in her dressing room. Three wait
ing -malds surrounded her: one offered pot Of
rouge, another box of black pins, third held
an enormous lace cap with flame -coloured ribbons.
The countess had no longer the pretension to beau
ty, but she preserved all the habits of her youth,
dressed in the fashion of fifty years before, and
gave to her toilet all the time and ceremony be-
slowed upon it by petite mattress, of the last
century. Her denaoiSeHe de canapagnie sat work
ing in the recess of window
Good morning, grandmamma,' said young
officer, entering the room. Good morning, Ma
denoisele Lise. Grandmamma, have request
to make
What is it Paul?'
oil To &C =,
to you, and ask you also for an invitation for him
to your ball .
Bring him to the ball. you can present him
then. Did you go yesterday to the Princess
Dolgorouski's q
OF course. 1t was delightful We danced
till daylight. Mademoiselle Eletski was charm
ing.
Upon my word, my dear, you are not difficult
to please. If you speak Of beauty, you ought to
see her grandmother, the Princess Daria Petrov-
ma. But tell me, the Princess Daria Petrovna
must be getting old, l fancy p
what do you mean by old ?? exclaimed Tom
ski hastily: she has been dead these seven years
The demoiselle de campagnie raised her head,
and made a sign to the young officer He then
recollected that it understood thing always
to conceal from the countess the death of any of
her contemporaries. He bit his lips; but the
countess did not appear to take the news of the
death of her most intimate friend much to heart,
for she replied, Dead is she a? had never heard
of 1t. We were appointed maids Of honor on the
same day; and when we were presented, the en-
press'- And here the old countess related for
the hundredth time anecdote of her youth.
Paul, said she when she had finished, assist
me to rise. Llsanka, where is my snufbox =
And, followed by her three fenanaeS de chambre,
she hobbed off behind large screen to complete
her toilet. Tomski remained tete -a-tete with the
demoiselle de campagnie.
who is the gentleman whom you wish to pre-
sent to madame q asked Lisabeta Iyanovna, in a
low voice
'Naroumof Do you know him p
No. Is he an officer p
Yes
In the Engineers? o
! No: in the Horse. Guards What made you
think he was in the Engineers?
The demoselle de canpagnie smiled, but did
not answer.
Paul. cried the countess from behind her
screen, send me a new romance-no matter what,
provided it is not in the taste of the present day.
what kind of one would you like, grandmam-
ma p
A romance in which the hero strangles neither
his father nor mother, and with no drowned peo-
pie in it. Nothing frightens me so much as drown
ed people,
i don't know where | can get you such ro
nance as you wish for. Would you like to have
Russian one p
what are there such things as Russian ro
mances WE'LL send me one; don't forget it,
4 will not fail. Adieu grandmamma; am il
a great hurry. Adieu, Lisabeta Ivanovna. Wha
made you suppose that Naroumof was in The
Engineers p And with these words Prince Pau
Tomski quilted the apartment.
Lisabeta Ivanovna, felt alone, resumed he
tapestry work, and seated herself again in the re
cess of the window. Immediately young office
appeared in the street at the corner of one of tn
opposite houses. The demoselle de compagni
blushed up to the eyes the moment she saw him
she bent her head down, and almost concealed l
in her work. At that moment the countess enter
ed full dressed.
'Lisanka,' she said, desire them to bring tn
carriage round; we will take drive Lisabet
rose, and began to put away her tapestry.
What is the matter p exclaimed the old lady
Are you deaf? Tell them Immediately to brin!
: the carriage
4 am going replied the demoiselle de com
pagne as She fastened into the ntechamber.
servant entered bringing some books from Prime
, Paul.
MANY thanks said the countess. tLisanka
Lisanka Where has she gone in such hurry
L was going to dress, madame she replied
returning.
There's no time for that Here, take the frs
volume of this romance, and read to me-
: The demoiselle de compagnie took the book
D and read few lines.
Louder said the countess. what is tn
0 matter with you to-day? Are you hoarse Stay
q put that footstool nearer. That will do-go on
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