Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-04-25
UNDER RUSSIAN ESCORT.

AAihN hAS Nhh hhN III way Wtll
enough to the Mobiles club on foot,
and I'll wait for you there, if you
like, Ladislas, after you have seen
the ladies safely home"
So saying, l wrapped my furred
coat more closely around me, and,
lifting my hat in parting salutation
to The occupants of the carriage,
turned away. The blackness of
the night, as l traversed the wide,
ill-lghted streets, seemed all the
darker by contrast with the bright,
warm theater from which | had
just emerged. The crisp snow
cracked beneath my feet, and a few
drops of premonitory sleet slashed
my face as | set out, and gave
warning Of coming storm, while
the cold was intense ). more bitter
as it seemed to me than any which
had experienced during the two
winters | spent in the Russian cap
ital. My own name was Hugh
Forster, and | had just completed
a two years probation in the count
ing house Of the wealthy st. Peters
burg firm, of which my father was
the chief London partner, and was
now on my way home. l had,
however, accepted an invitation
from a young Polish noble, with
whom | was on intimate terms, to
visit him at Warsaw on my home.
ward route, and to act as what in
England is familiarly known as
best man " on the occasion of his
wedding. The name of this young
Pole was Count Ladislas Ponia.
towski; the marriage was to take
place on the morrow; and | had
Just accompanied the bride and
bridegroom elect, with the old
Princess Sapieha, aunt to my
friend, and mother to Mile Marie,
to the theater, where an unusually
good performance had attracted
half Warsaw.
The carriage lamps flashed past
me as the long line of equipages
drove rapidly off, moving over the
snow with that swift, silent motion
which always appears so strange
and ghostly to a traveller familiar
with the rattle Of the wheels over
stone pavement, and the sleet began
to fall more thickly. Suddenly il
occurred to me that | was followed
Two tall figures, mufiled up Will
even more precaution than thu
sharp cold dictated, appeared to dos
my steps, regulating their pace BY
mine, and keeping always at thu
same distancekfrom me, whatsoever
my rate of progression, Thinking
| might be mistaken, | sauntereC
so that the tall man might have {
chance of passing me. Those be-
hind me also diminished thei
speed. stepped ont briskly, bu
in vain. My pursuers were not t
be shaken off.
1t did not occur to me that m,
pertinacious followers were thieves
e Street robberies, once unheard Of
are still rare within the Russian
domains. ! was more inclined t,
. believe that this pursuit was
mere freak of some half-intoxicatet
idlers, and, knowing the magica
, effect Of politeness on the excitabl
! Sarmatian nature, | turned, so a
!. to front the two men, and, witt
. eeremonious civility, raised my hat
$ "My lords" l said in the bes
Polish could master-every weare
. of a cloth coat is "my lord" i
3 Warsaw or Cracrow-"I fear yo
q have mistaken -
4, "No mistake at ALL" interrupt
CO q ed the taller Of the two, speakin
nasS in French, "we know you, nor
! : sieur. Call them, Imkotf."
\ His companion raised his fnge
& & to his mouth, and gave long, shri
. whistle. 1t was answered instan
Ily, and then came the sound {
hurrying feet and the clash
= weapons, and / was surrounded an
;, seized by several men, some
whom were evidently police, viii
the others were soldiers in grt
I watch coats.
"Gag him if he calls for help!