Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-05-05
THE TORPEDO NAN.

1t was in the bay of Toulon on board .he
Russian frigate Livadia.
While in the company Of several French
naval officers, made the acquaintance OF
some officers belonging To the Russian
Inan-ofwer; and the latter had invited me.
the only civilian of the banquet, to the
banquet given In honor of my friends OF
the squadron.
The Russians are strong headed drink
ers, as everybody knows: but their officers
particularly maintain the national reputa-
ton in this respect; and it is well under
stood among French naval folk that an
invitation to visit the cars vessels
meant to indulge in libations that will be
talked of for long time. 1t is true. oil
course, that these things happen among
respectable, well-educated men-without
any noise, and rs discreetly as possible
Sentries are stationed ut the door with
orders to prevent any one from entering;
and everybody drinks until he can not
drink any more.
On the evening referred to things went
ON in the usual style. The banquet had
been exquisite, and was admirably served;
the company had eaten e great deal, drunk
u great deal. and talked great deal more
Very agrecbly, too The French language
passing through Russian lips, takes a
charmingiy odd accent which delighted
me: and all those officers spoke French
rs fiuently as any houlevardier. They
were all good-natured and witty. They
were all men Of refinement also. In that
race refinement has a special marx a
charm of aristocratic courtesy which never
fails to attract Is it because In Russia the
alI-equalizing level of rising democracy
has not yet reached the upper classes as II
has done elsewhere,
The stewards, in black dress-coats and
white cravats, never stopped filing The
glasses with champagne. Champagne L
the favorite wine 0f the Russians. They
drink it, not by sips, As II Il polite 10 90
among us-nor even as il is drunk zen cab
met par;iculierr when the wine flows In
torrents 10 use hackneyed phrase-but
as really robust drinkers only can drink
il; throwing back the head, and enptying
the cup at one movement. IL was thus
they drank It on board the IIyae'ia, and
the stewards were kept busy repleaishing
the glasses There were plenty Of ii9ueur'
La Fine and Kummel. served IN port
wine glasses, but all preferred champagne
especially nv neighbor The amount of
Meet which that officer Absorbed was sb-
solutely extraordinary.
He was very handsome young man
very tall, also, and very sfroag-wifh TAR
hair and blue eyes, steei-blue eyes, which
lighted up at certain moments with a cod
flame His conversation was unenrnrionly
attractive. He knew Paris and her bonle-
wards by hear-all the places about y aieh
all fashionable people talk, but WHICH
only the initiated ever frequent He talked
20 me about the Coincide Tancaise and
the Edsn-of Mde de Y and Nile u IN
absolutely Partisan style, and IN lasr
cIiare that vouki have done cresii; 70 any
one Ok our most accomplished elnbinefi-
And in the meantime glasses sUoceded
glasses He could hold his cup By its thin
crystal stem. extend IL to the waiter, AID
the golden fluid would instantly disappear
down his thrcst
so you leave for Paris soinorrO~t he
asked
-Iwas To leave.-1 replied. but l post
t.unssi nay departure IN orss@r 70 he pres Z
at the torpedo ElzBeuyers q the ssia.i
ron
He starsei-a brighter light sh0ns IN h
eyez-shen \ s.sdden thOacht seemed ts
throw him into brown study
Then yea are really interested In 70.
p.siasss- he asked after = few moments
Yes answered The torpeSso Is %
terrible a weapon, Il s making the <lssis
world anxious JUS Al present. veryosssy
Is talking about H.
All. indeed, Well. sc here SoArsiy
L. The world can talk IN you about ]; ~
eaa-noaotyI-
He icsned forward npon his elbows. sp
parerrfy buried IN th0cxht Thsa. al a
q sssssden. he asked cse-
Odd yoo ever hear about the use q for-
y-ssoss dursnS the Turco Russian uzrs
-sc~ztasair