The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-23
A CAPITAL SKETCH.
SO 1T Is I IN RUSSIA.

Ne capital. Business succeeded well, my wealth
was accumulating rapidly, and felt that there
was 30 extravagance III having Injuries, nor in
allowing my family to enjoy them. We entered
freely into society, and the Russians always
created us with the greatest kindness. Our chill.
dren we're growing up; the eldest had been
educated in London, and had spent her holidays
at her grandfather's, in Kent. A short time be-
fore we had been surprised by learning that she
had formed an attachment with young neigh
Dor of theirs, of good character
AS the season was almost too advanced for
travelling, the young people petitoned that
they might be married in England; and we at
last consented, with the proviso that they were
to pay us a visit In the following spring. need
moi, however, dwell upon our family. The night
am about TO speak OF was In the depth Of
winter. Everything was freezing, and only
Russians would dream of parties in such
weather; but it was the height of the season in
st. Petersburg, and the party we gave that
evening was expected TO go off brilliantly. Our
friends we're invited to come In masquerade,
and we begged our intimates to disguise them
selves effectually. Our rooms were already
crowded, when stranger, or at least strange
figure, addressed me, saying he as.obliged to
leave early, and he trusted would follow his
example In returning home; he hoped he should
not see me again.
was astonished by the odd address, At first
j thought he must have imbibed too freely OF
the sparkling wines in the relreshment saloon,
but then remembered that they would hardly
have been opened. just then Count Vladimer
came up and put his hand upon my shoulder,
N Should scarcely trouble to carry mask in
my hand, If l were you; for every one has seen
your face, so that you cannot disguise yourself,
even if you put it on. Pray! why are you looking
so mystifed?p
repeated the words of my visitor, and said
/ could not forget them, although | knew they
were of no consequence.
II disagree with you," remarked my friend
'Those words must have been intended as a
warning. | know that you have done many
kindnesses to our people, and one Of them has
wished to put you upon your guard"
Oh! ,nonsense!" | answered; but the Count
persisted. He reminded me that he had known
and liked me for years. and he earnestly begged
me TO act upon the warning. At any rate, II he
found that there were grounds tor his suspicious,
that would promise to act upon his advice.
VERY well, l said, and turned away.
In half an hours time | met my friend, who
whispered that he wished me to Join him in the
library, which we found deserted.
MY fears have been corroborated," said the
Count; you are suspected, and will be seized
Tomorrow, or at any moment, il you show signs
to-nIghtw
"Nonsense!" l again repeated; "you do not
suppose that will leave my wife and children
on the whispered joke of some scoundIel, per-
haps."
II do not wish you to leave your wife and
children" answered my friend "take them
with you, or possibly you may all be on the road
to Siberia before you are aware, and it will be
small comfort to you to know that you have
done nothing wrong, and that perhaps, in
twenty years. time you may be acquitted. Be
warned in time by sincere we'll wisher."
The Counts argument had some effect, aud /
inquired what had best be done.
Exchange dresses with me,n was the answer:
put hrst order your people to pack a hamper
1ull OF eatabes on the plea OF a surprise for my
children, and manage, to have, both wine and
the brandy included; then quietly tell your wife
to collect her valuables, and conceal them upon
her person-she fortunately is wearing her dia-
monds; then return, and VIC will change dresses"
This was soon done. My poor wife was one
of those valuable women who could take hint
without stunning one with questions. Mean
while, personated Count Vladimer as well as
was able, wearing the mask tightly fastened,
as you may suppose.
The next time we met, my kind friend told me
that his carriage was both warm and large, and
well supplied with furs, as they had long drive
from their countryseat. He thought our best
plan would be to enter il as if we were leaving
The party, get fresh horses at Iverskoy, and
reach the frontiers with speed; whilst he and
his wife would personate US as long as tney
could.
"But if there is any risk, you will be more
likely to suffer than foreigner"
Pardon me-" he answered; 'the Countess is
nearly connected with the Empress, and iavo-
rite at Court: and they could not allege that we
had done anything worthy OF blame, ior surely
you might pay me visit in the country with
out committing treason; and could say, on
Il
guilty of any crime to drive you from the
country. On second thoughts, | think you had
better leave your youngest child behind; he is
100 young to bear the journey and | will pro-
mise that my wife will take the greatest care of
him;-and now prepare your family with all
haste.n
need scarcely say that Count vladimer spoke
English huently, as compared with most OF the
Russians, and he acted the part of host captally
whilst persuaded the girls that we intended to
carry on the joke of our disguise, and would
try and take the serv9nts in when we arrived at
Ivelskoy the country seat of Count Vlad1mer.
My daughters were fortunately dressed as Poles,
and their sable pelisses, which early in the
evening they had deemed as nuisauces, were
well qualified for ajouTnsy; and large domino
concealed ehectually the thick shawls which
scarcely suited the embroidered velvet dress of
my wife.
/ lost no time in explaining matters to my
family. Ny daughters could not believe their
ears, whilst my wife seemed drowned IN sor-
row that her darling Charley should be lett to
the mercy of Russian barbarians.
My thoughtful friend had furnished me with
note to his confidential attendant and no
sooner was it read than he left me, whilst we
recruited ourselves with the hot supper pro-
vided for his master. On his return he urged
us TO start directly. The ladies were wrapped
still more warmly in furs and hoods whilst
had an immense fur coat assigned to me, the
outside being of sheepskin Emily, my youngest
daughter, declared that looked exactly like q
polar bear raised upon his hind legs. But to our
dlsmay we found that our extra wraps had so
increased our size that it was next to impossi-
pie 10 wedge myself into the carriage. What
was TO be zone? / began to take OH my coat,
but Vassilievitsch objected:-
~ would be sure TO require ii. Besides" he
added, would 1t not cause remark to see a
carriage crowded to that extent with lords and
ladies, and no servant 10 attend upon them ?
CouldLnot my lord peIsonate servant, and stay
outside the carriage ~
To this agreed willingly. Vassievitsch told