The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-03-05
THE EFAATALIST.

III sometimes idpptilSu IIidI 4 NeC
obliged to pass fifteen days at a
stretch among the Cossack villages or
The left flank of the army line in com.
pany with a battalion OF infantry,
The officers OF different regiments OF,
Ten gathered in the evenings and en-
ioyed the night gaming.
One evening, tired out with Boston,
threw my 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
2ontended that the Mohammedan be-
lief, which decreed that the fate Ofman
was written in heaven, found many
converts i'm the Russian ranks. FL
nally all the party dropped their cards
and commenced to relate anecdotes
to the contrary.
At this an ottiCer-Seated in an OBJ
scure corner of the rOom-rOse and
advanced 10 the center of the circle
and gaZed upon lis with a calm but
proud look. He was a Servian by
birth. as his name indicated. The
exterior OF Lieut.. Voulitch CORE
sponded with his character. He was
ltlI, a parchment-like complexion,
brown hair, eyes black and penetrat-
no, large but regular. nOse-a pecul-
,arity OF his race; q cold, sad smile
~nternally playing over his thin lips.
he was a man noted for bravery;
talked but little but with vivacity
when he spoke, and never had re-
vealed any soul secrets o his family
affairs. He drank but little wine. AS
to the COssack girls, whose charms are
celebrated, he never flirted or made
fove, 1t was said, howeve that his
colonies wife silently adOred him. If
so, however, he was very discreet.
lie had only one passion-this was
gambling at cards. Before a green
cloth heplayed and was always aloser,
but his bad luck did not seem to dis
concert him-he was q believer In fate.
Gentlemen" he said, in a calm voice.
gentlemen, | fear my luck has been
disturbed. Can q man voluntarily
dispose of his life or his luck? No, the
fatal moment of ill-luck in play is the
same as ill-luck in life. You don't be-
lieveit? Show methe man bold enough
t otry heexperiment. "IH wager that
no man here has the courage to bet
against fate.
Not /! Not /! Not T." echoed from
ali sides. "I'll risk the wager" |
said. 81 do not believe in predesti-
uation."
Glow much money!" demanded
voulitch quietly. Mai. S shall
aold the stakes and be the Judge"
"Tsenty ducats, Unanswered, throw
Tag thegold on the table.
Here are ID ducats, - said Voulitch,
but / will owe you the other FIVE
pieces, il satisfactory"
"TEis Is all Well,' responded Mai.
So placing the So ducats IN rs
aocket. But allow me to under
stand IN what this test consists, in or
Ter that ] may decide the matter
lcarly."
Todlitch entered an adjoining cot
LACE and beckoned his fellow-oficers
TO follow him. He looked at the walls,
apon which hung numerous side-arms.
he pulled from a peg a pair of large
pistols IN holsters. As yet the compa-
ny did not comprehend his meaning.
Then he cooked the pistols and placed
them TO his head. We seized his arms,
What do you intend to do?
This Is foolishness."
Gentlemen be exclaimed, "who
SINS he bet9 Who owes me 20 du-
aatss
We al withdrew outside to the
sivouac Ere. lie made q sign for us
10 be seated around him and we obey-
d in silence. At that moment he
seemed TO exert more influence over
As. l regarded him fxedly and his
glance was firmly fixed on me. His
pale lips smiled slightly, and notwith-
standing his GOODNESS / saw death on
MS pale visage. i have often observed,
and many old army officers will con
irm .kh.is remark, that death may be
-ead on the face of a man who will die
N a few hours. There is a strange sort
Of irresistible expression in such IN
stances that cannot be COMPOUNDED
With the ordinary aspect.
aYou will die tomorrow" I said,
saZiDg at nlm SCeTnly.
He looked at me calmly and replied
with one OF his cold smiles: Perhaps
yes, perhaps nol' Then turning to
Maj She asked: .aThepistols you
wrenched from my hand yer eloaded?"
.sWell-loaded VCultich," answered
,ae Of the young officers. but your
pretended attempt 20 blow your
brains out was O. mere pleasantly"
Foolish pleasantly said another.
~ will bet 90 roubles against 5 that
she pistols were not loaded exclaim-
ii a third.
Al new bet was made. These inter
tuptions annoyed me.
"Iistenp' saidI. HE should eth
srblow out his brains or his predesti.
nation theory; or, if the pistols n un-
ro1ad ha rnYfot HANG them qoaingf