Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-05-09


affirmative reply was received TO the
eternal question Anything TO eatP'
and Kamoutsine, who until then had
been sleeping soundly within the
kibitka, came out, rubbing his eyes,
and jovially invited his guards to sup
with him.
The repast was sumptuous. The
host served up great mugs of Kvass
that sparkled like champagne-in point
of fact it was champagne, slightly mod
flied to suit the occasion. Kamoutsine
pressed upon the gendarmes the con-
tents of his brandy-flask, charged with
pure alcohol, and in twenty minutes,
what with the sudden transition from
the icy air without to the sitting atmos-
phere within, the weakening of their
stomachs by their long fast and the in
geniously compounded liquors to which
they had been copiously treated, the
four guards were snoring on-or to
speak more accurately, under the table.
Making the sign of the cross over the
four sleepers that their slumber might
be free from bad dreams, the Prince
took his pelisse and valise and stepping
to the door entered peasants sledge
that was in waiting. The horse, though
he looked mere ruckle of bones, set
out at once at rapid trot; relays were
waiting at every post-house and at
eight o'clock in the morning Kamout-
sine re-entered the city which the even
ing before he had quilted.
Before the door of the restaurant
where he had, as has been recited,
passed one term of banishment, kbit-
ka was in waiting, battered and travel
stained as if from a long journey. Ka-
moutsine entered the restaurant, dofled
his uniform and donned a civilians
garb, then entered the vehicle, his faith
| full valet seized the reins of the three
horses harnessed abreast, and with
bells ingling and whip-cracking drove
to the fortress and halted Just before the
door of the Governor.
Out swarmed the lackeys as If to
welcome long-expected and distin-
guished guest. Announce His Ex-
cellency's nephewr' said the Prince, as
he leisurely assembled the stairs, up
which the oflicious servants had sour
ried, contending for the honor of bear
ing his valise and cloak.
"My dear nephewn' cried the Gov
ornor, embracing him tenderly, ."wel-
come, thrice welcome! We have been
expecting you for a whole week"
"You will forgive my delay, dear
uncle" answered the young man,
"when explain"
ayes, yes, of course. Bless my soul,
how you have changed; I'd never have
known you. You must be worn out"
Il have travelled seventy-two hours
without resting so as to reach you the
sooner"
Poor fellow-come and have cup
of tea. l was Just at breakfast. Your
aunt is still in bed. You know we give
q ball tonight"
"a ball; didn't know it; but in trav-
cling costume can'r'-
didn't you bring your dress suit
with youP"
"Of course, but it is in the baggage
l left behind me when pushed on"
"Well, then, we'll order one from
the tailor's and It'll be ready this even
ing. st. Petersburg is different from
Odessa, you know" and the worthy
Governor led his pseudo nephew to the
dining-room, where Kamoutsine had
not to be hidden twice attack the smok-
ing viands and tea.
dear Lordr' said the General, gaz-
ing fondly on the young man, chow
you have changed! l should never
have known you, and yet in profile you
are the very image of your poor moth
err
$50 they have always said, uncle; but
of course l cannot decide that point
"No, no; of course not. The las
time / saw you, you were young
shaver Just the height of this table
five years old, think"
-Four years and eight months l was.
uncle"
$50 you were, so you were. Irecol.
lect now. And your great-aunt Eliza
bethP'
"Pray excuse me, uncle, but am
dead tired. Three nights travelling, as
l told you"
"Why, of course, and was an old
fool not to remember it. Your room is
ready; go and take agood, sound Sleep
And what if [ sleep all day, as
feel very much like doing at this in
stantP"
"Never mind how long you sleep, Sc
long as you are ready for the ball to
night. Give your clothes to the servant
he will take them to the tailor and have
dress-suit built for tonight"
In his room and in bed, Kamoutsint
drew from his pocket-book beneath his
pillow letter he had received two days
before and the contents of which haC
inspired him with the idea of the par
he was now playing.
"We had no end of fun," wrote
fellow-guardsma from Moscow, " will
a nephew of the Governor fresh from
Odessa. Some of our fellows have
plucked him at ecarte and as he los
more money than he had with him HI
has placed himself in pawn till his re
mittances arrive from Odessa. He hai
mortal terror of his distinguished
relative at St. Petersburg, whom h
has never seen since the days of his in
nocent childhood, and would soone
die than let the old gentleman know h,
has gotten into scrape. We visi
him regularly and feed his terror witt
ingenious romances. At the way tn
mails go l fancy we have ten days
good fun before us ere he receives hi
remittances."
"In ten days." said Kamoutsine t.
himself, as he TRANQUILITY refolded tn
paper, 81 shall be-in Siberia, proba
bly,. Meanwhile let me sleep"
He slept soundly, and at dinner-tim
had his meal sent to his room unde
preteXt of fatigue, then dressing him
self leisurely in the suit provided fo
him, and which even he admitted wa
,, quite a passable fit, he seated himsel
at the window to watch the carriage
, drive up and pour upon the receptio
! platform torrent of velvet, satin, silk
lace, jewels and uniforms; he hear
, the clashing of plate and porcelain i
/, the supper-room and reflected sadl
! that he sh0ald not be among the bar
queteHs; then he heard the orchestr
tuning up, and on the stroke of te
, there was tap at the door, and ser'
= ant entered to say, with His Exec