The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-03
EXTRACTS FROM NEW BOOKS.
From Atkinson's Oriental an Western Siberia
LIFE IN SIBERIA.

| cards, unless prevented by sickness; and whe
once she sits down to the card-table, husband, chi
dren and all are forgotten. know another lady herr
the principal business of whose life is cardplayng
! She has moderate income and passes her days an
most of her nights at cards. She has her dali
rounds, and goes with as much exactness to he
haunts as the most punctua merchant to his Office
Ten o'clock in the morning is her hour of business
| The tables opened and the cards placed. If n
calls before this hour she goes forth to her usu
| occupation, and seeks some among her frienC
who will sit down and play, if only for an hour
| The game over at one place, she goes to another
| till she finds some one who will indulge her in
second rubber, and so the time passes until dinner
After dinner she sleeps couple of hours, and wake
cute fresh for her favorite pursuit In the evenin
she has no difficulty, for many willing to play
| Thus the time is spent until late hour.
At one of the large mining towns in the Alt;
there lives a man who has become rich from gol
mines, and is celebrated card-player. 1t is no III
usual circumstance for him to visit st. Petersburgh
and as Ekaterineburg is about midway between tn
capital and his place of residence he is sometime
obliged to stop on the way to repair carriages afte
run of more than 1000 verts-in fact, it is ofte
absolutely necessary. This mans fame havin
spread far and wide, his detention in the tow
for the first time an event which aforde
the lady | have just alluded to the utm st de
light; she could not permit such opportunit
to pass without trying rubber with so re
nowned a champion. At her particular request
a friend arranged that they should meet a
dinner. She has been heard to say no hour
ever dragged on slowly on that forenoon still
the sun ran his course, and directly dinner owe
down they sat to cards. The evening went on will
varied success; the lady was enraptured, and ros
from the table the winner of large sum. She in
yited her opponent to play the next day: after som
demur he consented, and the following day the con
test was renewed, and continued until she had los
all. Nothing daunted, she urged him again to de
fer his journey for and-twenty hours, as hel
half years income would arrive by the post the fol
lowing morning. But then came difficulty abou
getting the money at once, as there some form
aity which would delay it day or two. After
much trouble she pursuaded the person to whom il
consigned to waive the usual form, and let hel
have the money Immediately. She got it, and sc
strong was her ruling passion that every moment
seemed lost until seated at the card table. In few
hours she left it without kopek-her half years
income entirely gone!
A FEMALE HUNTER.
Mr.. Atkinson goes on to say: 1t was here that
first made the acquaintance of Anna Petrovnaia
the bear hunter. Her fame has spread far from the
scenes of her conflicts with Bruin, who has not il
the wide range of Siberia a more intrepid or dan
gerous enemy. At this time she was about thirty
two years of age, neither tall nor stout, but hel
step was firm, and she was strong and active Hel
countenance was soft and pleasing; indeed, there
was nothing in her appearance that indicated heI
extraordinary intrepty 1t is true she of goot
stock, her father and brothers being famous hun
tiers. was informed that very early in life she
had displayed love for the chase; and having beer
taught how to use the rifle, many wolves and Other
animals had fallen by her hand. Each time thai
bear-skins were brought home from the different
members of her family, her desire increased to ado
one to her other spois. Without breathing wore
to any one, and with this object in view she set
on sporting ramble, the conversations of her fam
lily having afforded sufficient intimation of the
course she ought to take.
One day a large black bear had been seen by one
of her brothers when ranging through the fores
with his pea-rife in quest of smaller game. Thi!
was spoken of in her presence, and the plan of
campaign arranged, to be carried into effect in a
day or two. The next morning, long before any
had put on her hunting gear, saddled horse slune
her rifle over her shoulder, and rode away. Anna
erratic in her movements that her absence
caused uneasiness, and before day dawned she was
many versts from the cottage. Early in themornine
she reached the forest and secured her horse that
he might feed while she penetrated the thick anC
tangled wood before her.
There was a heavy dew on the grass in the oper
glades, and she observed that Brun was taking his
morning rambe, his track being quite fresh. Look
ing to the printing of her rife, and adding powder
from her flask, she went on with firm step. The
bear had made many turnings ON his march, but
she followed him with all the sagacity of blood
hound, and never once lost his trail. Hour after
hour passed, however, and she had not caught a
glimpse of him. As it threatened to be long chase,
Anna had recourse to her little bag, sat down by
small stream, and made her breakfast on piece OF
rye bread, washed down with draught from the
pure liquid flowing at her feet. Having ended her
frugal meal, she shouldered her rifle and again
pushed on. She had another long and frutless
walk. Satisfied, however, that she was on his track,
she pursued till she arrived at bed ofhgh plants,
that included the giant fennel, of the flowers of
which the bears are very fond.
While proceeding along the edge of this bed, a
fresh indication, well known to hunters, assured
her that the long sought-for game was at hand. As
she was creeping cautiously forward, out rushed the
bear with loud growl about twenty yards in front.
Quickly she threw forward the prongs of her rifle,
dropped on one knee and got good sight, the ami
NAL staring at her almost mOtionless. She now
touched the trigger, there followed flash, a savage
growl succeeded, then a struggle for a minute or
two, and her wish was accomplished. The bear lay
dead
After taking off his skin, she started in search OF
her horse which she found at no great distance for
she had been brought back nearly to the spot where
she commenced the chase. She was shortly on her
way home, and astonished the family, on her en-
trance to the cottage, by throwing the skin the
floor. Since that time Anna Petroynaia has en-
gagged with and killed sirteen bears.
A SINGULAR PETTICoAT ADVENTURE.
Mr.. Atkinson found friend in his journey. He
says: About the middle of July, on one of the hot
test days in summer, my friend was travelling in
the South 0ural on his tour of inspection. He had
dined sumptuously at of the Zavods and started
onward in evening to enjoy the cool breeze of the
night. But there are some nights which will not
cool, I have often found such, and this Of
them. His carriage had been standing in the burn.
the inside was like an oven. When his servant made
his bed for the night my friend found that it was
impossible to sleepn his clothes he consequently
dressed, and was covered over with sheet. Al
last daylight appeared, and the shed his rays
the mountain tops, leaving the deep valley in
shade.
They had now arrived at station in the noun.
tains and the horses were changed while he slept
The servant and the yeinst chick seeing the master
sleeping comfortably, saw no reason why they
should not drink tea. Into the house they went
and were soon enjoying quiet glass, forgetting
both steeds and carriage. Whether it was the snor-
ing of the inmate which frightened the horses, or
something ese cannot tell but off they started
and rapidly got into full speed.
The carriage began to bound over the rough road
tossing its opponents from side to side; this soon
reused him, when to his horror, he discovered that
he was alone, and at the mercy of four horses
abreast tearing along like wild steeds of the Steppe
for the first time yoked to vehicle. To jump out
was impossible; so he cutched the sides of the tar
antass, trembling with fear. On they went like
furies till they reached a steep hill, which made
them gradually slacken their speed. He knew
the road, and that still deeper descent awaited
him on the other side of three four versts il
length. His fears, consequently, were so terrible
that he stood watching for the moment when ht
could leap out.
At last observing that he was near the top, he
could endure his position no longer; so out ht
sprang, fortunately without accident. The sight o
his strange figure frightened the horses, and OF
they went again at full gallop. lie declares that
he thanked God for his safety and quietly sat dow1
on fallen tree to reflect on his situation. Shoes Of
stockings he had none; in Short only one linen gar
ment, and that somewhat scanty; and he was in the
middle of forest, surrounded by hosts of mosqui
toes humming .about him, evidently ravenous fo
his blood. He had not sat long in this plight whel
he discovered peasant woman on horseback com
ing toward him.
She had approached very near when, suddenl,
getting sight of the singular appartion the fallel
tree, she pulled up her horse and looked aghast.-
He addressed her in very tender tone, saying
mother.) She mustered courage to ask wha
he wanted. 'Your petticoat," was the reply. %
have but one; take it and spare mel' she murmur
ed almost inaudibly, dismounting and handing hir
the garment. He lost no time in putting it on, an
| then marched along the road, Shortly afterwar
his servant and driver came up at full gallop, an
were much relieved when they beheld him safe, bu
could scarcely maintain their gravity on sight
| his extraordinary costume. The horses continue
| their furious pace to the station, whence two me
where instantly sent back with the carriage, and
about an hour my friend was enabled to resume h
| hahi1iments