Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-13
schelm drew back a step quite surprised.
TWENTY-FIVE rubles! What for?"

Schefm drew back a step quite surprised.
twenty-five rubles What for?"
"That L will tell you at once. Tonight
takes place the annual law supper, at which
all appear who have studied law toeether.
You are no doubt invited as we'll as l. But
you have perhaps never been present, while
/ do not neglect single meeting. It is the
only place where 1 can appear without ac-
cepting it as aims and where always meet
kindred and sympathizing hearts. Every
one OF my places or employments L owe to
these annual suppers, to my former fellow
students. Tonight shall attend for the
last time, - continued Miller, leaning on his
schoolmate's arm, ''but 1 must have 25
rubles to pay my score and to hire decent
costume. Can you lend me that amount?'
Schelm withdrew from the hands of his
colleague and said in a hard, icy cold tone:
''Mr. Miller, I observe in life the princi-
pies that everybody lives and cares for him.
self alone. 1 only show favor to those who
can return me favors. But how could you
prove your gratitude? That would be SIM
ply impossible. You could not even return
the borrowed money. You are simply
beggar, and do not like beggars! Good
byl Hereafter leave me alone and do not
refer to our former acquaintance.
Thus the head of division left his friend
perfectly dumfounded and entered the Office.
ga very nice man, indeed" murmursd
Miller. 81 must try Vladimir. must abb
solutely attend this supper once more"
Trembling with cold and wading through
the deep mud. Miller went away.
In the meantime Schelm, in still worse
temper than before, ran up the stairs Il
had just struck and few clerks were again
at work. The old soldier slept once more on
his bench. Schelm hurried down the pass
age, drew key from his pocket and opened
the door of his office.
There was no life in it, the fire in the grate
had gone out, and it was bitter cold in the
vast apartment. Schelm looked all around,
uttered fearful curse, pulled the bell rope
and waited moment. No one came. More
and more excited, Sehelm rang and rang, till
at last the old soldier appeared in the door
only half awake. Schelm's eyes glared in
the dark, and his repulsive form assumed
strange, fantastic outlines. The old soldier
crossed himself, fearing he saw ghost.
''Why have you not lit the lamp and
made fire in the grate?" asked Schelm.
Don't you know your orders?" You know
that I often work here at night"
"Your Excellency, have received no or
ders from the officer on duty"
"Call him at oncel"
The soldier hesitated.
"You do not obey" repeated Schelm, in n
rage. "You obstinate rascall A hundred
blows with the stick If you do not bring him
here instantly"
Your Excellency, the officer on duty has
not returned yet from his dinner.''
us that the way you 40 your duty in the
Ministry of the Interior? Whose turn is il
to-day?"
"Mr. PopoE."
Every we'll. know Popof. Cali to me
INSTANTLY the head of his bureau, No. IL; you
hear? And then make q fire on the spot and
light the lamps if you wish to escape your
punishment
The soldier hurried away. Schelm stepped
back into the dark that seemed to suit his
temper, and fell into deep thought. His
whole past came up before his minds eye.
The memory of his youth, however, which
ordinarily causes men to be deeply moved,
only increased his fury.
"AhI if could but make others suffer