The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-03-27
SkobeleH,

The victor of Cock Tepe is methodic and
neat in all his ways. If he writes letter on
business, he takes copy. In his drafts OF re-
ports, erasures and interlineations are thick
set. No room is left for ornamental fringe
In speaking, the words flow freely, and are the
exact expression, whatever be the tongue
which the general makes use Of OF his thoughts
and sentiments. Thought with him is never
dissociated from feeling. His English is pure,
graphic and robust When he is very much
excited, "Wha, the deuce is superseded by a
stronger interection. But he is so knightly
and courtly that it does not shock. Skobelett
is a water-dlinker, and takes care not to be a
heavy eater. This warrior is man OF action
and study. He is an omnvorous reader, and
sucks rapidly the brain out of a book. Bea-
consfield, as an author, he held in contempt
long before that statesman declared himself
the enemy of Russia. Dickens makes him
laugh and cry; Kingsley is his prime English
fayOrite OF French poets he best likes Cor
nellie, whose Trades the late Nine. Skobeleff
taught the general and her other children.
Skobeleff has always with him his old
French tutor, M. Giraud, whom he addresses
with attectonate humility. The Dominic is a
little, elderly man, respectable, brown wigged,
smiling, journalistic, and professional in his
most familiar conversation. Ills lliuStrouS
pupil has unbounded confidence in his wis
dom. There is a little of Miss Betsy Trot-
wood and Mr.. Dick in their conferences.
Skobelef in his youth, and later, may have
done things behind his mentors back which
'twere better to have left undone. But when
the hour of repentance came, as 1t was sure to
do, he made his confession to his old percep-
tor. and said his inca culpa. The two have
been inseparable for thirty-four years. One
is profoundly grateful to the other for having
released him in his childhood from his peda-
eugiC German tyranny which IN the reign Of
Nicholas broke The heart and soul of Russian
youth. 1t was then the fashion TO thrash boys
Of good family like incorrigible serfs if they
failed to give satisfaction in the School-room.
M. Graud was for tuning the generous in
stincts of his pupil into an educational lever,
by making him feel that if he did not do we'll,
the tutor who wanted to use him kindly would
fall into dscredit A turbulent spirit was in
this way brought into periec discipline.
Skobeleff nherits his military qualities from
his grandfather and father, who were both
generals and chevaliers of St George. The
former had four fingers cut off and his elbow
shattered in the war of 1891. He had risen
from the ranks, and was Muscovte. From
his mother Skobelef the third derives his dis
position and intellectual tastes. She was
murdered in Bulgaria by an officer of her
sons staff The general venerates her men,
ory, and speaks of her with faltering voice.
Though of practical mind, she was woman
OF lofty thoughts, and, unknown to herself a
poet. She attended sedulously to the educa-
ton of Michael and her three daughters, and
imbued them with the idea that good feeling
is the basis of good manners, and the cement
which holds families and nations together.
Without it politeness is grimace. Durable
greatness has its source in the conscientious
discharge of homely duties. True ladies and
gentlemen, every day they rise, give proof of
heroism in small things. ComelinesS, neat
ness and elegance are social virtues. But if
the sincere man does not root out his poor
qualities and cultivate his good, he is an in
tolerable brute. Nine. Skobelef used to say
to'her children: eff you are not truthful you
will be contemplate. But if you elect to be
truthful you bind yourselves over to act like
heroes in small things and in great" The
Skobeleh family was poor, and had no long
ancestral line. But its social prestige, which
was entirely due to the force of character and
accomplishments of the late Nine. Skobelet
became so great that the noblest families in
Russia sought to be allied to it.. The eldest
daughter is Princess Pehoselsky, the second
Mime. Tchernaiefi. and the third is married to
Count Beauharnais, son of the late Grand
duchess Maria, and first cousin of the car.
She is not given imperial rank at court, but is
treated as a cousin by Alexander and the
CZarine.
Skobeleff believes in the power that shapes
our ends, rough-hew them as we may. He
is very religious, but is hardly conscious of his
piety. which is genial and attractive. He has
had in his life to tell diplomatic falseboods,
but they stuck in his throat and nearly choked
him On one occasion he boldly told lie
or rather a bundle of lies. His mendacity
was to veil the scheme Of a campaign on