New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-11-25

The Frost Bitten Nose,
"a 4 WINTnE wALK ID 81. FETERsBURG


The commencement Of winter at st. Petersburg
was to me period Of unm2ed delight, 1t was a
new and wonderful spectacle to see this great capital
attiring itself in ts white Wintery robe was never
weary Of driving in sledge There is a peculiar
enjoyment ID skimmDg the surface of the ground,
feeling the road along which you travel smooth and
polished as O 0oking.glass, whilst your horses ex-
cited by the keen bracng air, and scarcely feeling
the light weight they draw seem to fly rather than
gailop3 as they bear you along Winter, with slug
gshness unusual in those northern climes crept on
this year BIZ slow degrees, and, thanks to my fairs
and warm pelisSes the thermometer had fallen to
twenty degrees below zero ere became aware of the
intensity Of the cold By the time it had fallen to
twelve degrees the Neya had begun to freeze.
had given my poor horses 50 much to do, that
nay eoaehman announced to me one fine morning
thatif did not allow them at least fortyeight hours
EepOse, they would be quite unfit for service in the
course ol another week There was no resisting this
appeal The sky was clear and uncouded, and, all
though the air was keener than ! had felt it, re-
solved to set out and take walk on foot. armed
myself eap-Gpte against the cold wrapped myself in
huge Astfakan greatcoat. drew a fur cap over my
ears, rolled a Cashmere scarf around my neck and
then yentured forth with nothing save the tin of my
nose exposed to the air.
AT first got on wonderfully we'll; was surprised
70 End hoW little / was sensible to the cold aud
laughed within myself at the exaggerated accounts
had heard OF lts effects. The first two pupils lnOn
whom called, N. de Bohginski and NJ. de Navesoh-
kin, being from home, was beginning to bend my
steps In another direction, when, it struck me that
passers-hy cast upon me many uneasy glances, al
though none OF them ventnred to address me. At
last one gentleman, talkatigely disposed as it
appeared, than the rest, uttered the word Moss u
as he passed me. Not understanding single word
of Russian thought it not worth while to stop for
the sake OF simple monOsyllabe, and accordingly
proceeded on my way. AT the corner of the Rue des
POis, met an iUo8chk, who was driving bis sledge
oentFe tegre but, swiftly as he passed along, he
also seemed to feel himself IN duty bound to call out
% me 10 q warning tome " Moss! Moss "
At last, on reaching the Admiralty square, / sud.
denly ecountefed q nlougiCk who, without saying a
word snatehed up handful of snow, threw himself
dpen nae and before could free myself from the
heavy covering which embarrassed my movements,
had commenced Rubbing my whole face but more
especially my nose quite furiously, and with his
whole might and main. / thought this a sorry Joke
enough, especially IN such weather, and having at
last succeeded IN eXtricating one OF my hands from
the pocket OF my greateoat, gave him blow with
my fist, which sent him rolling on the ground to the
distance Of some PAGES, Unfortunately, rather,
should say fortunately for me, two peasants CHANGED
az this moment to cross the square They looked at
me Tor a moment, then made sudden rush upon me,
and in spite Of my resistance, held my arms pinoned
so my side, whilst the noUgich starting to his feet
and hastily snatching up another handful Of snow,
returned to the attack, as though resolved not to be
baked in his designs. This time taking advantage
Of my detenceless condition, he recommended his
flctiono my unfortunate nose with renewed violence
But, although my hards were tied, my tongue was
tree and Impressed with the idea that must either
be the victim OF mistake or d conspiracy, / began
20 cry for hepat the top OF my voice. An officer
hastened % the spot, and asked me in French what
was the matter with me.
what sir, | exclaimed forcing myself by final
effort from my three assiants who, with the most
composed air possible, each pursued his respective
way, the Que towards the Perspective, and the two
others towards the English Quay What SIR did
you see what those raseals were doing to me R"
: What were they doing to you p
They were rubbing my fhee with snow Do You
consider that Il very allowable Joke sir, in such