The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-04-13
A Story of Russian Justice.

ton from the officers of the United State
revenue steamer Searcher to dine will
them and spend the evening. The cap
tain was also an invited guest, from whos'
lips heard the details of the following
thrilling adventure. 1t was after dinner
the table was ornamented with decanters
cigars abounded, and all hands assumed
positions OF ease, AS Captain Ratler, witt
a preliminary survey Of his audience. be,
gan as follows:
You have often wondered. Stationbill
(the first lieutenant.) why despse port
wine, especially the negus you brew oc
casionally. Well, III tell you. Twenty
five years ago found myself in St. Peters
burg. l had been granted an extended
leave of absence by the department, while
IN indulgent father provided the neces
sary funds to support the style and digni
ty | considered incumbent upon Third
Lutf in the Revenue Marine
One evening in December dropped in
to the magnificent gaming establishment
known as Dromleski's saloon. 1t was the
resort of princes. noblemen, diplomats
and, in fact, the elite Of the city congre
gated there.
At the door | was accosted by an ole
fellow bent with age, and wrapped in rag
which tluttered painfully in the icy wind
He asked for few coppers, and tossed
him rouble, which act compelled me tC
mbutton my coat and expose partially
the uniform | Wore.
| caught a glimpse Of the mendicant' s
eye fastened upon me. 1t was sharp and
piercing as the point of cutlass The
next instant l was mingling with the gay
throng who crowded the spacious apart.
ments.
A suppressed hum of voices mingled
with an incesSant metallic clnk was
heard on all sides. The tavorte game
was rouge-et-noir, and blush to acknowl.
edge it. gentlemen. but | proceeded tc
tempt the smiles of the tickle jade II
was my maiden attempt Success crown
ed my most reckless efforts, leaving ne
u winner of over 81 ,000.
| had attracted considerable attention,
and one gentleman in particular, | had
noticed watching me. He was attired in
the gorgeous uniform of an Imperial Hus-
sar; and his pale, ariStocratic features,
dark eyes, small pointed mustasche, and
cleaning white teeth were in perfect ac-
cord with the hussar bearskin with its
pendant top.
''Iou are a tavorite of fortune" he re-
marked in excellent French, saluting me
gracefully at the same time ALLOW me, ,
and handing me his card | read: 'sAlexis
Daghestan. lieutenant fourth hussars"
We took a turn to the banquet-room,
where the gay soldier related hundred
amusing anecdotes, characteristic of high
life in the metropolis. Titled dignitaries
and officers Of high rank in the army were
freely spoken of in such terms of easy in
timacy that led me to suppose he enjoyed
more than ordinary favor. In fact, he hint
ed that the grand duke was his patron,
and offered to introduce me-
Together we sailed forth into the cold,
clear air, the lieutenant insisting upon
accompanying me to my hotel | freely
confessed to being an utter stranger IN the
city, with no acquaintances; but Daghes-
tan assured me time should not lap heavy
Oh my hands
"By- y-the-way, the Prince Simenovskou
entertains tomorrow evening. lis bal,
masque. have cards, so be ready in full
uniform. | will call for you Here is
your hotel and now adieu'
Gentlemen, you must admit that was
favored in securing such friend, and at
the appointed hour | was ready, attired in
the full dress uniform of my rank. | heard
the clank of the iieutenant's sabre on the
staircase, and the next instant he appear
ed in magnificent uniform, with two
ieweled orders on his breast.
"All ready, Lieutenant? Good; but
would not advise you to take much mon
ey with you, especially after having gain
ed the reputation Of being heavy win
ner at Dromleskis."
"My money is all banked" replied.
Good again. But seriously, Lieuten-
ant" and the hussar's eyes looked into
mine with an earnest expression, "St
Petersburg is very much excited Just al
present over the mysterious workings of 9
gang to whom are attributed number Of
murders which have put the entire detect
i've force to their mettle. In every in
stance the victim has been a manof wealth
The Gar himself is agitated on the sub
ject. understand. | merely tell you this
my dear Lieutenant, to place you on your
guard; and should at any time be alb
sent from your side, avoid all strangers
drosky DagheStan had in waiting, which
soon set lis down before the palace of the
princes, which was in blaze of light
The grand staircase was crowded. In the
confusion. the lieutenant dropped his card
OF invitation as the maiordomo demanded
them; the pressure became greater, an(
we were swept on, despite the hussar',
struggling to the contrary
Such magniticence and exhibition o
wealth | had never witnessed before.
scarcely missed Daghestan, who had beer
summoned from my side, and in maze
of delight | wandered into the spacious
gardens attached to the palace. The rare
shrubs and eXotics filled the air with per
fume. the CLEAN of Chinese lamps cast
subdued light over all, while the distan
strain of the military band floated dream
lily to my ear.
paused in the shadow of miniatur,
fountain; at the same time lady closely
wrapped in silk cloak, which concealed
her face and person, passed rapidly by me
A sharp low cry of pain burst from he1
lips. She staggered as if about to fall
sprang forward, caught the lady in my
arms, at the same time the cloak fell back
revealing a face beautiful as an angels
and neck and shoulders that might hav,
tempted an anchorite.
The lady recovered, blushed, and gent
ly disengaged herself from my encirclins
arm which had been in no hurry to with
draw. She begged me in French, to cal
her brother, then countermanded the OF
der, saying it would be really impossible
for me to discover an utter stranger in 81
vast an assembly. But she felt so ill, i
was impossible for her to remain. l beg
ged to be allowed the honor to offer m,
escort, stated that | was an American ant
an officer, and after some little hesitation
the fair-one accepted the proposition. He
hair, which had escaped from its fasten
ings. fell in wavy masses over her barr
shoulders, streaming in wild disorde
amid the shimmering folds of her dress
1t was truly wonderful.
| assisted to arrange the warm folds O
her wraps, obtained the number of he
drosky. and had the pleasure of seatin!
myself by her side. But to my hurry arc
excitement l had neglected to obtain m
own great coat.
My epaulets and gold lace gleame,
painfully in the Starlight the fair lad