The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-04
THE ATHEIST MAN IN THE WORLD

Gen. IRnatieff spent several weeks last July
Mt the Badscher Hof in Baden. The public
journals gave out that he visited the watering
place for the benefit OF his health said to be
much broken by protracted anxiety and re-
bponsibilty in the service OF the Car. But
everybody knew that IRnatleff was Just then out
of favor at st. Petersburg. and that his absence
from the centres Of active statecrait at a time
when the peace Of Europe was fiutering like a
shuttlecock in the air. between Salisbury and
Bhouvaloff was nothing more or less than
politely disguised exile.
lam indebted for tho following facts to my
friend Fisher Of Boston, who arrived at Baden
he day after Ignateff and was duly announced
In the official list OF strangers rs Herr Doctor
Professor Fischer. NIT Frau. Gattin und Bod.
Nordamerika."
The scarcity Of titles among tho travelling
hristocracy OF North America IL n standing
grievance with the ingenious Teuton who COM
piles tho official list. Professional pride and
The instincts OF hospitality alike impel him to
supply tho lack whenever ho can. He dis
tributes Governor. Major General and Doctor
Professor with tolerable impartlality. according
as the arriving Americans wear distinguished
a martial. or a studous air. Fisher owed his
title to hie spectacles
1t was still early In the season. Tho theatre
had not yet opened. The hotels were hardly
uhil Iul. tue cOncefba IN inc KIOSK NJ tOe OOn-
vorsatonshaus were heard by scattering audi
ences and the shopkeepers Of tho Bazaar had
no better business than to spend their time in
bewailing the degeneracy tot Baden Baden
since an end was put to the play. Few ex-
ouraionists disturbed tho meditations OF the
shrivelled old Black Forester who keeps the key
Of tho tower on the Mercurusberg Fisher
found the place very stupid-as stupid as Sara
toga in June or Long Branch in September. He
was impatient to get to Switzerland. but his wife
had contracted a table d'hGte intimacy with
abolish Countess. and she positively refused
to take any step that would sever 80 advantage
Gus connection.
One afternoon Fisher was standing on one Of
Tho little bridges that span the gutterwide
Oosbach. idly gazing into the water and wonder
Ing whether good sized Rangely trout could
swim the stream without personal inconven-
ience. when the porter Of the Badlscher Hot
eame up to him on the run.
" Herr Doctor Proiessorp cried the porter.
touching mis- cap. Il pray you pardon. but the
high born the Baron Savitch out Of Moscow. OF
the General Ignatieff's suite. suffers himself in
terrible It, and appears to die"
In vain Fisher assured the porter that II was
mistake 10 consider him medical expert;
that he professed no science save that OF draw
poker that II such an impression prevailed In
the hotel II was through n blunder for which he
was In no way responsible; and that. much ~
he regretted the unfortunate condition OF the
highborn the Baron out OF Moscow. he did not
feel that his presence in the chamber OF sick
ness would be OF the slightest benefit. II was
Impossible TO eradicate the idea that possessed
The porter's mind. Finding himself fairly
dragged toward the hotel. Fisher M length con-
eluded TO make a virtue OF necessity and to rem
der his explanations to the Baron's friends.
The Russians apartments were upon the
second floor. not far from those occupied by
Fisher. French valet. almost beside himself
with anxiety and undivided responsibility.
came hurrying out OF the room TO meet the
porter and the Doctor Professor. Fisher again
attempted TO explain. but to no purpose. The
valet also had explanations to make. and the
superior nuency OF his French enabled him to
monopolze tho conversation. No. there was
nobody there-nobody but himself the faith
ful Auguste OF the Baron. His Exeelency.
The Gen. Ignatieff. his Highness. the Prince
koion. DIR. Rapperschwyll. all the suite. all the
world. had driven out that morning 10 Germs
bach. The Baron. meanwhile had been seized
with an enraying malady. and he. Auguste. was
desolate with apprehension. He entreated
Monsieur to lose no time in parey. but to hasten
10 the bedside OF the Baron, who was already in
the agones Of dissolution.
Fisher followed Augusta into tho inner room.
The Baron. In his boots. lay upon the bed. his
body bent almost double by the unrelenting
grippe OF a distressful pain. His teeth were
tightly cenehed. and the rieid muscles around
the mouth distorted tho natural expression OF
bis faco Every few seconds a prolonged groan
escaped him. His fine eyes rolled piteously.
Anon. he would press both hands upon his alb
domen and SILVER In every limb from the in
lensity OF his suffering.
Fisher forgot his explanations. Had he been
Doctor Professor in fact he could not have
watched the symptoms OF the Baron's malady
with greater interest.
Can Monsieur preserve him2" whispered
The terrified Auguste.
" Perhaps" said Fisher. dryly.
Fisher scrubbed a note 10 his wife on tho back
OF card. and despatched II in the care Of the
hotel porter. That functionary returned with
great promptitude. bringing black bottle and
glass. The bottle had come in Fishers trunk
10 Baden all the way from Liverpool. had crossed
The sea to Liverpool from Boston, and had
iourneyed TO Boston direct from Bourbon
county. Kentucky Fisher seized il eagerly but
reverently. and held 1t up against the light
There were still three inches or three inches
and half in the bottom. He uttered grunt Of
pleasure.
There is some hope OF saving the Baron"
ne remarked 10 Auguste.
Fully one-half OF the precious LIQUID was
poured Into the glass and administered without
delay 70 the grooming. writhing patient In
very few minutes Fisher had the satisfaction Of
seeing the Baron sit up In bed. The muscles
around his mouth relaxed. and the expression
OF intense agony was superseded by look Of
placid contentment.
Fisher now had an opportunity to observe tho
personal characteristics Of the Russian Baron.
He was young man OF about thirty-hve with
exceedingly handsome and clear-cut features
but peculiar head The popularity OF his head
was that 1t seemed 10 be perfectly round on top
that is. its diameter from ear to ear appeared
quite equal to its anterior and poserior diam
etre. The curious effect OF this unusual con-
formation was rendered more striking by the
absence of all hair. There was nothing on tho
Baron's head but n tightly fitting skull cap OF
black silk. very deceptive wig hung upon
one OF the bed posts.
Being sufficiently recovered TO recognize the
presence OF stranger Savitch made cour-
ieous inclination OF the head.
How do you find yourself now2" inquired
Eiahpr N had Eranch