The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-26
Selert Stugg.
PRINCE BOLTIKOFF.
[An the Year Round.l

risoned that the integrity of the empir
might depend upon its tenure, wa
once its garrison-I, Randall de Louther
berg Carruthers, Lieutenant in her Maj
esty's Royal Regiment of Fencibles-
that is to say, l, with handful Of sol
diers, held it against all corners. M!
men were better off than was, for they
took it in turn to mount guard upon thu
honeycombed ordnance and the tumble
down gates of the fortress. They haC
employment, had none. bathed
breakfasted, and walked upon the shore
to eat, drink, sleep, and smoke made uT
the sum total of my diversions. Butth
l was gifted with powers of progression
might have been an oyster.
One day as usual ! strolled upon the
beach. The season was spripgtime, the
sky bright, the sea like mirror. Moth
ing ever broke the stiffness that reigned
around Fort Needham; it lay off the
High road, no one came to it; even the
fishing boats avoided the bay, because
of the shoal water. With my glass |
swept the horizon, now and then exam
ining the sea gulls or far off sail.
What is that black thing bobbing up
and down in the water A hen coop or
a whale or new rock shot up sudden
ly from beneath the waves
No, 1t is boat of some sort; very low
in the water, not unlike a raft, and there
is figure on it, padding. He is max
ing for the shole, slowly and surely he
approaches. Closer and closer. His
face is plainly visible now, and his breast
through his open shirt. He handles his
little oar with skill and vigor-nearer
and nearer he comes. AT length-grate,
squeeze, thud, his raft has run aground,
and he jumps on to the shingle.
The strangers first act was to throw
himself upon his knees and eXClaim fer.
Vently in French,
Thank God Safe at last !
Then he rose and came to greet me
with the finished bow of courtier. He
was in rage, he wore only dilapidated
shirt of coarse calico, and a pair OF tat
tered trousers reaching just beyond his
knees, made apparently from an old
gray blanket; yet, in spite Of all, he
seemed a gentleman His manner was
perfect, the English in which he ad.
dressed me, though tinged with for
eign accent, pure, and in intonation de-
cidedly well, bred.
This is a sorry plight in which find
myself, Monsieur am waif cast up
by the sea. | have been shipwrecked.
l never dreamt should reach the land
alive'
'Shipwrecked? l asked. When ?
Where? HowF
Yesterday was on board my own
yacht, the Feodorowna-I am Prince
Boltkof-you know my name, per-
haps? he said, seeing that bowed at this
introduction of himself. No, am a
Russian, was en- route for Cowes.
Last night the yacht lay becalmed off |
the Needles; l was in my berth--half
reading, half doing, when-crack-
something crashed into the side Of the
yacht, Jumped from bed and rushed,
as was, on deck. 1t was collision.
Death stared us one and all in the face.
| snatched up the first garments could
fnd-you see them, he pointed, smil-
ing, to his rags-'and jumped overheard.
| am good swimmer. At dawn was
still ahoat. Then | got together 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-'Adieu; go, mon
ami, CO.,
May ask continued the stranger,
as soon as the raft had drifted away,
may ask where | am? Would you
nave the extreme complaisance to direct
ne to the nearest town?
This is Fort Needham said l. Var.
chester is the nearest place--some dozen
niles distant. ....
so far! l am hardly in walking trim,
fear, but | must make SHIFT to push ;
n. ... .a. .a. ~
Impossible. cannot permit it. You
iced rest, food, My quarters are close
t hand. l am the commander Of the
0rt--'
You are then an English officer l
night have guessed it You are all
as you are brave. was with (
lenschikof, in Sebastopol, and | learnt t
0 respect you then {
IF you are yourself a soldier, Prince,
is the more incumbent upon me to be
our host. /
With this l led the way into the fort.
he admission of such tatterdemalion
ather surprised the decorous sentry, but
ny servant, who was called in to assist t
t the Princes toilet, soon spread the r
cal story throughout the barracks.
A bath, my razors, and complete
Ig out of my clothes, made wonderful
hange in the Princes appearance. He u
Ias evidently person Of the highest
exactly handsome, his a
mooth-shaven face was too sallow, and S
is cheek bones too high, but he had
ood features and dark penetrating eyes. a
lie made the mistake also of wearing Il
is hair too short; it was clipped so close
lat his head looked like a round shot.
Your clothes fit me to the marvel, Y
ION cher M. Carruthers. 1t would not
e indiscreet to ask your tailor's name
lie is an artist ,s
l was fattered, and replied readily. n
Mr., Schneider will be glad to get an
rder from you, Prince o
He shalhhave it. His cut is superb c
Then we sat down to lunch. The
rince, although aristocratic tothe fin +
er tips, had the most pleblan appetite, a
thin few minutes he had cleared the Il
Bile, OdW 0.Cn 4Hni gHa' 10 7.ru flc9 q g. v
4 have not tasted food for "a hours, IL
; said apologetically. v
After lunch I produced cigars. He h
oked at the tobacco ravenously. '' Il
1t is my passion. ] did not think l fc
'uld have existed 50 long without it, Eb
He lay back in an arm chair and a
noked, half a dozen, cigars one after am c,
her, apparently with the most intense (,
tsfaction. Meanwhile we talked b
he Prince was a, most agreeable COM d
LLl tllft ltF