The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-11-02

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squeeze, thud, his raft has run agroun d,
and he jumps on to q single.
The strangers first act was to throw him
self upon his knees and exclaim fervently in
French, s'Thank God! Safe at last
Then he rose and came to greet me with
the bow of finished courtier. He was in
rags, he were only dilapidated shirt OF
coarse calico, and pair of tattered trousers
reaching just beyond his knees. made ap-
parently, from an old gray blanket; yet,
in spite of all, he seemed . gentleman. His
manner was perfect, the English in which
he addressed, though tinged with foreign
accent, pure, and the information decidedly
we'll Bred
This is sorry plight in which find
myself, monsieur. have been shipwreck-
ed. I never drempt should reach the shore
alive?"
"shipwreckeds'' asked, "When: Where?
How"
yesterday l was on board my own
yacht, the Feoderowna-I am Prince Bolti-
Koff-you know my name, perhaps?" he
said, seeing that / bowed at this introduce
ton of himself. .sNoI am russian. l
was en- route for Cowes. Last night the
yacht lay becalmed off the Neels, was in
my berth, hals-reading, half-dozing, when,
crack! something crashed into the side of
my yacht. Jumped from bed and rushed as
was on deck. 1t was a collision. Death
stared US one and all in the face. snatched
up the first garments could find, you see
them,'' he pointed smiling to his rags, "and
jumped ovel board. lam good swimer.
At dawn was still afloat. Then l got to-
gether few floating spars from the wreck,
made that little raft-good friend it has done
its duty" and as he spoke he pushed it back
into the tide. .sAdieu; 60 mon ami, 60"
"May ask - continued the stranger, as
soon as the raft bad drifted away,
''where am d? Would you have the extreme
complaisance to direct me to the nearest
town."
s:This is Fort Needham," said "Yarehes~
ter is the nearest place, some dozen miles
distant"
$50 far. am hardly in walking trim,
fear, but l must make shift to push on. "
Impossible. l cannot permit it. You
need rest and food. My quarters are close
at hand. l am commandaut of the fort"
"You are then IN English officer?
might have guessed it. You are all gen.
erous as you are brave. l was with Men
schick off in Sebastapol, and learnt to re-
spect you them
eff you are yourself soldier, prince, it is
the more incumbent upon me to be your
hest"
With this l led the way into the fort. The
admission of such tatterdemalion rather
surprised the decnrous sentry, but my SER
want, who was called in to assist at the
princes toilet, soon spread the real story
throughout the barracks.
A bath, my razors, and q complete rig
out of my clothes, made wonderful change
in the princes appearance. He was evi>
IDENTIFY person of the highest distinction,
not exactly handsome, his smoothly-shaven
face was two sallow, and his cheek-bones
too high, but he had good features and
dark penetrating eyes. He made the mis-
take also of wearing his hair too short; it was
clipped so close that his head looked like q
round shot,
"Your clothhes fit me to the marvel mon
cher NJ. Corruthers. 1t would not, be in
discreet to ask your tailor's name: He is
an artist"
was fatered, and replied readily.
..Mr. Schneider will be glad to get an
order from you, prince
ale shall have it. His cut is superb"
Then We sat down to lunch. The prince,
although aristocratic to the finger tips, had
the most plebeian appetite; within few
minutes he had cleared the table.
IL have not tasted food for twenty-four
hours" he said alphabetically.
After lunch l produced cigars Heasok-
ed at the tobacco ravenousiy.
at is my passion. did not think
could have existed SO long without it.
He lay back on an arm chair and smoked
half dozen cigars one after the other, APP
parently with the most intense qualification.
Meanwhile we talked. The prince was a
most agreeable companion, his experiences
and seen many cities, and knew men and
manners. Twas delighted to listen to him.
But he was far too weil-bred to n'onopolize
the conversation. He also could listen, and
did so with courteous, unfagging interest As
enlarged upon the subjects had most q,
heart -he even led me en- 10
talk quite Familiarity and freely
Of my regiment; my nradss;
my life and prospects; everything, In short,
which interested me.
In this way the hours passed. till sud-
denly the prince jumped up.
"You have been NEST good, NJ. Carruth-
ers. can never repay your kindness. But
now the day is advancing, must be moving
ing
Pray do not think of it. You viii sure
~ stay and dine. Tomorrow or next day
will be time enough to travel; by then you
will be refreshed and recruited in strength"
81 hardly dare take advantage of your
nature. know not what to say But
your pleasant society draws me towards
you; l will stay. Suffer me only to write
few letters. must eouDunicate with
the Russian Embassy: I should send to my
bankers, aud to my London hotel for clothes
and necessa, ies.a
sat him down at once to my writing desk
q piece Of portable barrAek furniture limi-
ted in dimensions. very much Uttered with
old letters, books. and stray papers; trades
mems bills, an army list. Bradshaw, officials
reports and returns, some in my own hand
writing. and bearing my signature. But
from among these cleared Sufficient space.
and left the prince to write his letters
alone
l, was quite IN hour before returned
He stared rather . re-entersd the room,
bat exnlaineA Akaf M recent narrrW 0ooape