Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-01-03
Sketch Of ReOZ Life.
SUCHIS RUSSIA.

L resided IN Russia tor many
: years, and / must in justice say
,, that | thoroughly enjoyed my life
lin its capital. Business succeeded
well, my speculations prospered
my wealth was accumulating rap
idly, and | felt that there was ut
extravagance in having luxuries,
nor in allowing my family to enjoy
them. We entered freely into SO.
ciety, and the Russians always
treated us with the greatest kind
ness. Our children were growing
Iup; the eldest had been educated
Iin London, and had spent her hol-
'idays at her grandfather's, in Kent.
A short time before we had been
surprised, by learning that she had
formed an attachment with a
young neighbor of theirs of good
character.
AS the season was almost too
advanced for travelling, the young
people petitioned that they might
be married in England; and we
at last consented, with the proyi-
so that they were to pay us a Wis
|. it in the following spring. | need
mot, however, dwell upon our fam
| lily. The night l speak of was in
the depth Of winter. Everything
was freezing, and only Russians or
Canadians would dream of parties
in such weather; but it was the
height of the season in St. Peters
burg, and the party we gave that
evening wasexpected to 60 off bril-
liantly. Our friends were invited
to come in masquerade, and we
begged our intimates to try and dis
guise themselves effectuaHy. Our
rooms were already crowded, when
a strange figure addressed me,
saying he was obliged to leave ear
Ily, and he trusted | would follow
his example in returning home;
he hoped he should not see me
again. al0f g
| was astonished by the odd ad-
dress. At first | thought that he
must have imbibed too freely Of
the sparkling wines and the re-
freshment-rcoms, but then | re-
membered that they would hardly
have been opened. Just then
Count Vladimer came up and put
his hand upon my shoulder, say
ing IL ~ l(}l A5it
81 should scarcely trouble to
carrya mask IN myhand. if.I were
you; for every one has seen your
face, SO you cannot disguise your
self, even if you put it on.
Pray! why are you looking 50
mystilied?'
3 | repeated the words of my Wis
itor, and said | could not forget
hem, although knew they were
Of no consequence. r'Ti'.a7
81 disagree with you" remarked
my friend. "Those words must
have been intended for warning
| know that you have done many
kindnesses to our people, and one
of them has wished t6put you on
your guard" ..st, r.
"Oh! nonsense" ] answered T;
but the count persisted. He re-
minded me that he had known and
liked me for years, and he earnest
ly begged me to act upon the warn
ing. At any rate, if he found
that there were grounds for his
suspicious, that | would promise
to act upon his advice,
every WE'LL" | said, and turned
away. -+
In half an hours time / met my
friend, who whispered that he
wished me to join him in the Ii
brary, which we found deserted.
"My fears have been cerrobora-
ted," said the count; "you are
suspected, and viii be seized to-
morrow, or at any moment, If you
show signs of departure. You must
quit St. Petersburg tonight. !"
Nonsense" ! again repeated.
NYou do not suppose that | will
leavemy wife and children on the
whispered joke of some seoundrel,
perhaps!" ssov. gD~assesN Il
81 do not wish you to leave
your wife and children" answer
ed my friend; stake. them with
you, or possibly You may all be on |
the way to Siberia before you arsI