Sharp County record., 1879-05-08
PRINCE KAMOUTSINE'S WAGER.

IFrOm tlo fre0Cn OF DcuTy UI6Nlllcl
Though for seven or eight years
Prince KamOutsine, one of the most
brilliant officers of the Imperial Guard,
had been conspicuous at treyiews, recep-
tions and official balls, he had attained
to nothing but the epaulets of Cap
tain and the reputation of the most &C.
complished concoctor of practical jokes
in all the Russias. Twice his talents
had been recognized by banishment
from Court, and he had received from
very high authority strong hint that
in peace there's nothing so becomes q
man as modest meekness and humility
But on young fellow like Komout-
sine even such a warning as this was
wasted. If it cost him his rank, his
honors and bis fortune he must be up
and "doing" some one, and no victim
was considered worthy of his attention
who was not q parsonage OF Importance.
IL was MOI long tharnfo'na o,-o Ao -..""~-
ed from the Emperor Nicholas, who had
but an Indifferent sense of humor, an IN
junction to pass month on his estates
in the country, "where he would have
leisure for reflection"
Kamoutsine had three days allowed
him wherein to settle mis- affairs and
reach his country seat, distant from the
capital a days posting. He began by
spending two days by saying good-by
to his friends. A guard of honor of
four gendarmeS had been promised him,
a precaution justified by his antece-
dents, for he had passed one term of
" exile" at restaurant much in vogue,
to the knowledge and with the conniv-
anee OF his fellow-guerdsmen.
1t was on the evening OF the second
day that he presented himself at the
mansion of the Countess Damerof, one
of the reigning beauties of the Court.
"You will not stay to dinner?" she
said, with some surprise, as after ~
minutes visit he rose to go.
ga thousand thanks, but really l
couldn't, unless you were to include my
oendarmes in the invitation"
Z "Your gendarmes" h;E
eyes, body-guard that owe to the
Emperor's muniicence. presume they
are at my quarters by this time. In an
hour the five of us will be whirling-by
which / mean gliding-towards my an
cestral domain of Kamoutska. The
sleighing is delightful and shall reach
home tomorrow night in time for din
ner."
"You poor fellow" said the Count
ess, laughing heartily, chow silly of
you to 90 and get yourself banished just
at carnival time! You won't be here for
the ball of the Governor of the fortress"
"The Governors bali-the devil! |
had forgotten about it. And it is to-
morrow night?"
"To-morrow night at 10 o'clock. I
shall be dancing-not with you. Don't
be moved to 60 out and hang yourself
at the thought"
Kamoutsine twisted his mustache
pensively for moment and suddenly
asked, /" You are going?n
"And every body else. The new Gov
ernor entertains for the first time; he
has Just arrived from Ikutsk and the
balls he gave there were something
wonderful. l expect we shall have a
splendid time. The Imperial family
are all to be present"
"Countess," said Kamoutsine tender
", leaning over her chair, twill you do
me the honor Of dancing the first waltz
with me?'
"Yoo are mad,'' said the Countess,
shrinking back.
"Not more than usually. 1 repeat
my question, for you have not yet an
swered it; will you do me"
"But, my dear Prince, by that time
you will have reached your country seat
and be sleeping the sweet sleep that fol
lows long winter journey. Your ven
cradle housekeeper will have made your
tca, yen viii lave drank it and -h