St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-03
PREDGSTINATION.
How n yeang servian officer QUIT
visited "a Would.be Oracle.


lmong the Cossack villages on the left
flank of the army line in company with a
battalion of infantry The officers of
different regiments often gathered in the
evenings and enjoyed the night gaming.
One evening, tired out with Boston, l
threw nv cards on the table and went to
chat in the corner with Maj. S. The
conversation. contrary to the usual custom,
grew agreeable and very interesting. One
OF the party c0ntended that the Mohamme-
dan belief which deere ed that the fate of
man was written in heaven, found many
converts i'll The Russian ranks. Finally, all
Tie party dropped their cards and COM
menced to relate anecdotes tending to the
contrary.
At this an of1icer-seated in an obscure
corner Of The r0om--roSe and advanced to
the center of the circle and gazed upon US
with calm but proud look. He was a
SerVian by birth, as his name indicated.
The exterior OF Lieut. Voulitch correspondent
with his character. He was tall, a parch-
ment-like complexion, brown hair, eyes
black and penetrating, large but regular nose
a popularity of his race; cold, sad
smile eternally playing over his thin lips.
He was a man noted for bravery; talked
but little but with vivacity when he spoke,
and never had revealed any soul secrets nor
his family affairs. He drank but little
Wine AS to the Cossack girls, whose
charms are celebrated. he never flirted or
made love. 1t was said, however. that his
coloneIs wife silently adored him. If so,
however, he was very discreet.
He had only one passon-this was gam
bling at cards Before a green cloth he
played and was always a loser, but his bad
luck did not seem to diSconcert him-he was
a believer in fate. Gentlemen he said, in
calm voice, gentlemen, fear my luck
has been disturbed. Can man voluntarily
dispose OF his life or his luck? No, the
fatal moment of iil-luck in play is the same
as ill-luck in life. You don't believe it?
Show me the man bold enough to try the
experiment. I'll wager that no man here
has the courage to bet against fate"
mot |! Not Il Not L." echoed from all
Sides ''I'll risk the wager | said. Il do
not believe in predestnation."
''How much money!" demanded Voulitch
quietly. Maj. S shall hold the stakes
and be Judge"
''TWenty ducats." answered, throwing
the god on tie table.
Here are - ducats,' said Voulitch,
''but will owe you the other five pieces, if
satisfactory"
This is all we'll. responded Maj. S.,
placing the b ducats in his pocket. but
allow me to understand in what the test
consists, in order that 1 may decide the
matter clearly"
Voulitch entered an adjoining Gotta ge
and beckoned his fellow-OfficerS to follow
him. He looked at the walls. upon which
hung numerous side-arms. He pulled
from peg a pair of large pistols in holsters
AS yet the company did not comprehend
his meaning. Then he cooked the pistols
and placed them at his head. We seized
his arms, crying: ''What do you intend to
do? This is foOishness."
Gentlemen" he exclaimed, ''who wins
the bet? Who owes me 20 ducats?"
We all withdrew outside to the bivouac
fire. He made a sign for us to he seated
around him, and we obeyed in silence. at
that moment he seemed to exert more mys-
ferrous influence over us. [ regarded him
iXedly. and his glance was firnly fixed on
me. His pale lips smiled slightly, and,
Notwithstanding his GOODNESS, | saw death
on his pale visage. | have often observed
and many old army officers will confirm
this remark, that death may be read on the
face of a man who will die in few hours.
There is a strange sort of irresistible eX-
preston in such instances that cannot be
confounded with the ordinary aspect.
You will die Tomorrow" l said, gazing
at him sternly.
He looked at me calmly and replied with
one of his cold smiles: Perhaps yes, per-
haps mol" Then turning to Maj s. he
asked. THE pistols you wrenched from
my hands were loaded?"
'Well loaded, Voulitch," answered one
of the young officers. But your pretended
attempt to blow your brains out was mere
pleasantly"
Foolish pleasantryr' said another.
81 will bet so roubIeS against that the
pistols were not loadedr' exclaimed a
third.
A new bet was made. These Interrupt
tons annoyed me.
''Listen!" said 1. ''He should either
blow out his brains or his predestinatiOn
theory; or. if the pistols are unloaded, he
must hang them against the WALL
That's the idea"' laughed chorus of
voices.
They handed him the pistols.
Gentlemen, don't budget" observed
Noulitch. quietly applying the mouth of
one muzzle to his forehead and the other
against his ear.
We moved back in the circle, petrifed.
''Lieut. Petehorin. toss card in the air, -
continued the Servian.
took card from the green board and
threw it up in the air. The crowd of officers
held their breaths, their eyes bulged out
with agitation and morbid curiosity. The
card fioated away from Voulitch and his
pistols. At the same instant both pistol
hammers fell, enc even slightly flashing its
cap.
Thanks be to Godr' exclaimed several
voices, drawing in by inspiration of breath
The pistols are unloaded," remarked,
ehidingly.
Examine them!' answered Voulitch. I
took the arms and placing fresh caps under
the hammers. discharged the weapons in
the air. The hiss of the flying balls was
more than ordinarily distinct
Three minutes passed and none of the
officers opened their mouths, while You
Itch calmly opened his purse and jingled
the wagered ducatS handed him by Mai
$. Then we commenced to discuss
why the pistols had not been discharged on
the first attempt. Some said the caps were
defective. Others contended that as the
fash of one cap was visible the powder was
moist. VOulitch should have loaded the
pistols over.
NO" observed I. This was perfectly
fair. for they are my pistols and l never
took my eyes of them since Voulitch seized
ihe weapons. He is only lucky better -
continued
1t is the first time IN my life that ever
won such wager" answered the Servian,
with self-contented smile. 1t was lucky
play"
but most dangerous" replied.
You commence to believe in predestina-