The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-08-31
RUSSIAN GHOST STORY.

test,
In Joy or woe.
RUSSIAN GHOST STORY.
c OF the Odd Little Tales That
Please Russian Readers.
nslated for the Pl,i,adelphia Times.
You had much better stay all night.
house is old and plain, but there is
nty of room in it, whole wing, in
,, for my guests, old fashioned, but
PORTABLE. What do you say"
he host, Il bachelor Of forty, turned
II this question to q young woman sit
near him, holding III her hand a
sof cherry brandy. Beyond her her
band was leaning back in an ARM
ir, watching the smoke from his cigar
curled slowly to the ceiling. In an
err armchair sat Il stout neighboring
lholder, a man with q bald head,
whiskers and a decidedly military
before whom on the table stood a
f-elnptied glass Of wine. The hour
;eleven at night, the little party had
finished q late supper
Yes. l should like to stay. I really
too lazy to take the trouble to 60
nc. and she took a sip from her glass;
1t cannot only speak for myself, l
mt but half"
And yet you contrivel to swallow a
ole glass Of something tolerably
ing" said her husband.'
Is that meant for joke?'
Not at all. Drink my health as much
'ou please, ',only recollect that it is time
% home"
But why do you 90 home at all, Mix
:sch??" asked the host; "why not stay
mornino?"
I must be at home tomorrow. I have
iuess in town and shall be obliged to
n the $50 train i'll the morning, and
distance from here to the station is
IN greater than from my house, AS
spoke, purple light shone into the
m, rendering visible through the glass
rs the white columns Of the balcony
side.
There is storm coming" exclaimed
stout neighhor, crossing hinself de-
tly.
Oh! don't say that,' calculated the
y; "ltNas clear when | looked out
IRE supper, and [ am sure there is no
nuer."
You will soon here it, and look how
k the sky is now
see; YES, we shall have a Storm
na few minutes the thunder made
lfaudibIe. One would think troop
horsemen were gallopiny over the
oden bridge close by.
1t is comming up very fast said Ser
the host, who stood at the balcony
Come away" exclaimed Madame
iailitsch; "come away. 10. Shut the
dows and that balcony door"
Are you afraid Of lightning:"
Not afraid, exactly, but when a storm
cry near it is not pleasant, by any
ms"
Much better say openly that you are
i'd" remarked her husband, with a
le.
l thing it will be impossible for us to
home to-night. Our carriage is an
one and the horses mi yht take
hit, too. I accept your invitation.
Sergei-that is, we accept it, we will
Till the storm is over" added NIikail-
( h, lit may not be long"
You are always so obstinate. In
d, I cannot go home tonight. WHY
do as please? We can get away very
Iy in the morning"
Be obliging," said Sergei; "you will
refuse me, I know, and there will
nothing to prevent your going in the
ming as early as you please"
am agreed. l eught to go home,
the weather seems to be on the other
ide of my wife. Either one | could
,stand, but united they are too strong
me. l submit
$ he spoke the storm came in earnest
: glass doors trcmb!e,l as the furious
dashed against them.
-oloncl YOU will st;lv?:'
With pleasure. Sergei; I always en-
sleeping III other peoples houses.
home it is SO dull and tame, and 50
trent anywhere else. At your house,
chow or other, always slecp~well.
10y other peoples wine, too, more
l my own and he took sip from
glass.
Excuse me for minute" said Mix
sch. II will 60 and speak to my
'hman about having our carriage
ly very early" and he left the room
This will be the first night spent bv
away from home for a very lon.
o." said Madame Mikailitsch.
But am sure YOU will have no cause
'epent it. will do all l can to make
t.reeable to you"
For my part" said the colonel. 81
only sleep we'll in strange place
.rything new and strange around; |
w it SO much At home lie awake
hours. Formerly 1 found poetry
y useful, but it seems to have lost its
,ct, nQw."
Poetry! I don't read it; merely re-
t it from memory. The way is tc
it to yourself three times from be-
ling to end, if it is something toler-
: = long, and you will gradually fall
.ep."
hereupon Mikailitsch returned.
A furious rain. | have been looking
down stairs. We shall have no dust
the next two days and how fine fo1
vegetables, Colonel!
Capital.'
loud peal of thunder resoundcd
> s,ugh the sky; the dishes which were
+ standing on the table, ratified. Re
tnber that the host was bachelor
lame Mikailitsch turned slightly
T., and for few moments no on'
Ike.
3ShaII T Summon q servant to show
allthe rooms you are going to occu-
: L could not sleep in this storm" said
lady.
Nor do I feel the slightest inclination
i sleep, but perhaps we are keeping
up, Sergei? :,
NO; am always up much later thai
i, and what says our friend, the col
1t is immaterial to me-. I always ell
>. myself in other peoples houses
Yep or awake
We'll, since none Of my guests are il
humor to sleep, we may as well 81
Ee, at least while the storm lasts, AM
Use ourselves with conversation, tina
Eif the thunder will allow US to.hea
.h others voices. Take another glas
dame Mikailitsch."
lOh, no! I have had two already. Blu
}utSthat wing where you put you