River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-10-18
A DOCTOR DESPITE HIMSELF.
a Russian Legend.
ny c. II. F.

there lived in Moscow bOyard, Dimitri
Paulovitch Janieff, whose wife Nadeina
Ivanovna, was great fiirt. Dimitri
while fully aware of the true state OF az
fairs was powerless TO modify them.
Thus he became addicted to the flowing
bowl, and from time to time. rs q means
of consolation and amusement. he admin
istered, or caused to be- administered to
his recalcitrant wife very satisfactory
beating. Nadejna cried and lamented
her hard fate. in a manner that would
have softened any but an injured husband.
She consigned Dimitri to classic, but I'M
mentionable shades,-and pursued her
old ways as before.
At the time cur story opens Dimitri
had fallen into a regular habit of beating
his wife on Sundays and Fridays, immed-
lately after the MONDAY meal, and just
before his post -prandial nap. He fancied
this act gave to his dreams a delightful
color, and that the consciousness of hav-
ing done his duty gave to slumber a de-
| lightfLl tranquility.
Now, if Nedejna was given to flirting
in defiance of her husband, in return she
thoroughly abhorred the law represented
\ in the person of her husband, and inces-
sanity schemed for vengeance which
| eluded her most artfui endeavors.
! 1t was not that she desired merely 70
escape the too frequent whippings. she
yearned also to infiict ON Dimitri, blow
! for blow, an equivalent for what she had
received. and in addition, to rid herself OF
his presence forever. 1t was her convic-
| ton that Janieff should suffer the tor.
lures of the damned in the way in which
they are supposed TO suffer, that is per
petually. But nothing worthy of heI
purpose occurred to her sluggish fancy
| 1t was of the first importance, moreover,
that no betrayal should disclose the in
stigator of the punishment. After many
vain attempts to accomplish her purpose
secretly. she finally became desperate and
resolved to adopt heroic measures, al
though so repugnant; when, happily, il
was rumored about Moscow that the
Grand Duke was afflicted with the most
| frightful attack Of gout, which physicians
/ frankly confessed they were unable to
cure 1t was also said that the Grand
! Duke had offered a most attractive re-
ward to anyone, physician. boyard, peas
ant or whatnot who would relieve him.
]
! be ennobled and decorated like a heather
! idol.
| This bit of news came To her ears on
Friday, when, alack she had received an
| extraordinary allowance of the custom
ary lash. Her resolution was taken. 1t
might not be, she unused, the realization
/ of her dream of vengeance, but at any
rate, it would be something effectual IN
its way. She bent her steps in the di-
/ rection of the palace of the Tsar, and ar
irving demanded admittance 10 the royal
presence, explaining that she carried d
| remedy never known to fail in curing the
govt. She was shown up at once, when,
| prostrating herself before his majesty,who
| happened at the moment to be spread out
on leather divan, in anything but royal
state, she said All. Sire, if were only
my husband tomorrow you would be
! cured
The Grand Duke regarded her qulzzi-
cally.
Eyes, Master. He knows a remedy
safe and simple. Why, but fortnight
since he cured neighbor, who, | am
sure, will I've happy TO confirm whdt |
have said. But, alas, Sire, Dimitri Paul
ovitch pretends that the welfare of Mos
cow demands that you should die. 1t is
for that reason he has refrained from
coming to the palace
The Tsar was naturally surprised, but
quite unaccustomed as he was to such
free confessions on the part of his sub
jects, he decided to detain Nadejna in
durance while messengers were imme-
diately sent out for Dimitri Janieff.
Our boyard was Just awakening from
delightful sleep, and giving his fancy
rein, when the minions of the Tsar ar
rived. Without word in explanation
the amazed man was hurried TO the
palace.
The remedy, where is the remedy"
shouted the enraged monarch as the
doctor was dragged befo.e him.
Come, the remedy, or | will have you
thrashed until your teeth shake"
Surprise was but one of a crowd of
emotions that caused Dimitri to remain
speechless.
what, S'deathl don't you hear mel
Monster that you are, who, while able to
cure, would let your master die"
And as Janieff did not understand, and
would not reply, at sign from the Tsar
he was taken in hand and woefully beaten,
after which he was lodged in prison.
Once more alone he reflected. trying TO
seek an explanation of what had hap
pened. Then, suddenly, without know
ing the why or wherefore, he cried in
stinctively: Its my wife,"
Presently he was visited by the physi
clan of the Tsar who kindly explained
what vas requsted of Dimitri.
"Great Heavens. why, I'm destroyed
entirely" moaned Janieff. why I'm
Observation-Disclosures nothing-and less Of
medicine than anything else. Oh! that
frightful woman "
And he CRASHED his teeth in impotent
rage.
IF Nedelna could have only seen him
then, she would have had, though never
so exacting, a moment ofrare satisfaction;
but Nedeina, also, was at the moment re-
flectiDg seriously, in another cell, it. on
the whole, she had not made a mess of it.
She began tc nave grave doubts about the
success of her scheme.
The same evening Dimitri was sum
moned before the dread presence. The |
poor fellow trembled and wept, protest |
ing that his wife had acted iEIamously 1
that as sure as the sun .shone he was not 4
a doctor; and that the Tsar was great and I
good.
This speech was worth fifty strokes Of /
the lash; which were promptly ven,then
the cell once more.
During fortnight this treatment was
repeated daily, and has wife, liberated on /
the second day. visited him after each /
comforting him with words I
Of ironical pity and commiseration, that /
would have almost driven him wild, sup ;,
posing his loutish mind had been capa /
bic OF feeling torment of this character /
Such assiduous attention on the part of 1
had borne their fruit in quar-