Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1868-07-16
Father and Daughter

-a
Basil Ostroff was the third sol
of a Russian nobleman, who hat
squandered a princely fortune il
Partisan trifes and bagatelles
when he was gathered rather sud
denly to his fathers. So Basil
at seventeen years of age was lef
an orphan, without resources or oc
cupation. Happily, a friend of his
family, who enjoyed the good
graces of the Emperor Nicholas
managed to have him admitted in
the corps of pages, and, thanks to
his high stature and martial mien,
he soon entered as a lieutenant the
crack regiment of the Guards cal.
led Preobrashensky.
At his own request, Basil Ostrofl
was appointed to the staff OF the
Caucasus army, and he contrived
to marry in his short leisure
very short, indeed, for he was
| fighting almost daily.
How was that match brought
about? Welll Basil lodged with
a merchant of Tifis who had reap
ed a considerable fortune in his
dealings with the Russian army.
To Basil habitude was a second ma
ture, though he was superlatively
careless. Withal he was fondled
to nicely at the merchants house,
and by none more than by Wanda
P, so that in the end Basil
and Wanda were joined in wedlock.
A short time after their mar
riage, Madame Ostroff, who was
over anxious to know St Peters
burgh and to move in high life,
left no stone unturned till her
husband obtained change. He
was appointed to the colonelcy of
a cavalry regiment stationed in the
capital, proof that in Russia, as
elsewhere, "what woman wills,
God Wills"
Alter all, that change was much
to Basil's taste, for he spent much
of his time in the study of abstract
sciences and, moreover, he fore
saw that his return to St. Peters
burgh would afford much more
time to him.
Basil soon found out that he
had not married the woman he
had dreamed; but an event soon
occurred which poured much balm
upon his inmost wounds. A girl
was born to him, and he concen-
trated upon her all the sweet feel
ings of his loving soul. Dear lit
tie Vera was brought up under
his own eyes, and she became
his sole veneration in the midst of
his studies.
One day another colonel, his
most intimate friend, called at his
house and said to him abruptly
''Dear Basil, I reckon upon
your killing Lieutenant Colonel
NJ. People tattle much about
matters in which your family is
concerned, and these rumors are
traced to him."
"To kill M" exclaimed
Basil.
eff you have the least objection
to do it," answered his friend, 81
will manage the business only
give me carte blanche"
'For tittle-tattle?" continued
Basil.
(Which exposes you to ridi-
cule which dishonors you"
'Let people prattle," answered
Basil, with a laugh. "You know
the position of married officer
Pray, follow my example: despise
those silly tattlers. Sit down and
smoke cigar"
"This is your own concern"
said his friend in q rather sulky
tone. "You are too we'll known in
the army to be accused Of coward
ice; but methinks you are wrong
to rely on your own reputation of
bravery, and-also on your wife.
At least, it is unpleasing to your
friends"
At that moment a maid entered +
with little Vera.
"Look here" exclaimed Basil,
who was, fondly embracing his
daughter, ''here is my remedy and
my consolation. AS to the 9TH
srs, they may go to the farthest end /,
Of Siberia. -.
Then he made the child dance