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

PRINCE KAMOUTsINE's WAGER,
Though for seven or eight years
Prince Kamoutsine, one of the most
brilliant officers Of the Imperial Guard,
had been conspicuous at reviews, re-
ceptions and official balls, he had at
tained to nothing but the epaulets of
Captain and the reputation of the most
accomplished concoctor Of practical
Jokes of all the Russias. Twice his
talents had been recognized by Danish
ment from Court, and he had received
from very high authority strong hint
that in peace there's nothing so be-
comes a man as modest meekness and
humility.
But on young fellow like. Kamout-
sine even such warning as this was
wasted. If it cost him his rank, his
honors and his fortune he must be up
and doing" some one, and no victim
was considered worthy of his attention
who was not a parsonage of impor-
tance. 1t was not long therefore ere he
received from the Emperor Nicholas,
who had but an Indifferent sense of
humor, an Injunction 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 his affairs and
reach his country seat, distant from the
Capital days posting. He began by
spending two days in saying good-by to
mis- friends. A guard of honor of four
gendarmes had been promised him, a
precaution justified by his antecedents,
for he had passed one term of "eXile"
at restaurant much in vogue, to the
knowledge and with the connivance of
his fellow guardsmen.
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 dinnerP' she
said, with some surprise, as after ten
minutes visit he rose togo.
"a thousand thanks, but really /
couldn't, unless you were to include my
gendarmes in the invitation"
Your gendarmes?''
"Yes, a body-guard that owe to the
Emperor's munificence. presume
they are at my quarters by this time.
In an hour the five of us will be whirl-
ing-by which mean gliding-towards
my ancestral domain of Kamoutska,
The sleighing is delightful and shall
reach home tomorrow night in time
for dinner"
"You poor fellowr' said the Count
ess, laughing heartily, show silly of
you to go and get yourself banished
Just at carnival timei You won't be
here for the ball of the Governor of the
fortress"
"The Governors ball-the deuce! l
had forgotten about it. AHd it is to-
morrow nightp"
Tomorrow night at ten O. clock. l
shall be dancing-not with you. Don't
be moved to go out and hang yourself
at the thought"
Kamoutsine twisted his mustache
pensively for a moment and suddenly
asked, "You are goingP"
"And everybody else. The new
Governor entertains for the first time;
he has Just arrived from Ikutsk and the
balls he gave there was something won
derful. | expect we shall have a splen-
did time. The Imperial family are all
to be present"
Countess" said Kamoutsine ten
derly, leaning over her chair, "will
you do me the honor of dancing the
first waltz with meP"
"You are mad" said the Countess,
shrinking back.
"Not more than usually. / 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 follows a long winter Journey.
Your venerable housekeeper will have
made your tea, you will have drank il
and"
"The fascinating peasant interior
you have sketched is founded, Countess
on the hypothesis that shall be at my
country seat. But if should happer
not to be there, but instead should bC
at the Governors, will you give mt
the first waltzp'
narrowly at her interloeuter; he was il
earnest, thing that so rarely happened
that she was touched by it.
"Yes," she said; " will.'
Keep it for me, remember; whel
the music strikes up l shall be there t,
claim it."
"Prince," said the young woman
not without shudder, "you risk you
own life perhaps"
-"A waltz with you is worth more,
said Kamoutsine as he rose.
II hope you are only jesting, a
usual" said the Countess, smiling, bu
uneasily.
"Will you wager that will not b
therep Suppose we do bet upon it
know you will pay if you lose.
wager Il is then, and SO farewell till tC
morrow night"
Kamoutsine brushed with his mus
tache the Countess white wrist abov
the glove and vanished ere she coul
speak.
As he had said, his gcndarmes wer
in waiting at his quarters and a close
and covered kibitka was standing 1
the door, The Prince entered 1t Will
out giving his guards chance to din,
whereat they grumbled exceedingl,
but inwardly, as was their duty in III
presence Of their superior, for Kamou
sine for all that he was their prisone
was none the less their hierarchici
superior. ..
The voyage was prodigiOusly 81
liVened with accidents. The Frinee
valet, who had been sent on in advanC
~ courier, had certainly been drunk (