Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-13
It suffer to-day!" he exclaimed, grinding


his teeth.
The soldier brought light Soon after the
head of bureau No. Il entered also.
"You have excellent subordinates,
scolded Schelm, very loudly. "At 9o'clock
they have not come back from dinnerl 1
shall remove your name from the list of
those who are to receive special rewards,
and Popoff you will instantly dismiss"
The official tried to excuse himself, and to
defend his subordinate, but Schelm did not
allow him to speak, and said: ''I will hear
nothing more! And now get away"
The fire soon danced merrily in the CRATE,
the lamp illuminated the room brilliantly,
and yet Schelm was in very bad humor
and found it impossible to work.
II can't do il" he said at last What if
I did as Miller does? If were to 60 to the
lawyers supper! 1 have had no dinner
yet!''
He rang the bell.
Get me droschka at once" he said to
the soldier. This room is too cold to work
in"
The Restaurant Dusan was brilliantly
lighted and illuminated the whole street for
some distance. The lawyers rented the
principal hall for their annual suppers.
Servants were seen hurrylng to and fro with
dishes and plates bottles and glasses. Some
40 men had taken seats at the long table and
carried on a lively and loud conversation.
Several chairs were still vacant. Miller
had taken Z seat next to Vladimir Lanin.
The supper was just beginning when
Schelm entered and cast a side glance at
the assembly, who looked at him with as
toulshment. His insignificant figure con-
trasted with the luxurious furniture and the
elegant company. The younger and more
fashionable members cast one look at him
and then turned away with contemptuous
smile, not troubling themselves any more
about him. Schelm soon became aware that
he knew no one in the assembly, and took
one of the unoccupied chairs without looking
around.
Miller was engaged in earnest converse
tion with his neighbor at table, and did not
become aware OF Schelm's presence till the
latter took his seat rather noisily. Then
both looked at each other and started.
"You have remembered after all that you
studied law?" Miller asked.
"And you have managed to collect the
necessary means"
"As you see," continued Miller, "I have
found assistance elsewhere alter my school
mate and friend of my youth had re used
me. But no ofense. To-day we'll eat and
drink and leave care outside. Lanin, hand
me bottle of champagne!
Schelm trembled. "How did you call
your neighbour"
"He is the one who has lent me money"
That is not the question. Tell me his
name"
Vladimir Lanin."
fare you intimate friends?"
He is my last friend and patron"
In still lower tone of voice Schelm con-
tinued:
''I behaved foolishly when I treated you
badly while ago, especially when 1 said
you could not do anything to serve me. On
the contrary, find we can be verv useful to
each other. You said you were willing to
do anything, provided you were we'll paid
Dear Miller, l want you to-day and you
can earn one, perhaps even two, thousand
rubles for nothing" he added, with press
ure of his hand.
But Miller withdrew his hand
''I said that under pressure-when cold
and hunger drove me to despair. Now 1
am sitting in a warm, well-lighted hall, at a
richly served table. Before 1 enter upon
your conditions 1 must know what they
are"
"Come next Friday to the Ministry of the
Interior; there we can nfer better with each
other" Schelm was thinking to himself
that by Friday his friend would be penniless
again and ready to do anything.
'.Wellp' replied Miller. "But how can I
get at you? There are so many officials in
the Ministry"
"Send your name up to the Head of the
Division OF Political Affairs
''What! are you employed under SO great
q man?''
II am the head of division myself"
"What, tie devilp' cried Miller. "That
is another matter. 1 shall be there on Fri
day, certainly.
"Now be so kind as to introduce me to
your friend"
Very WE'LL" said Miller, and lightly
touched his neighbor. Lanin turned
around.
vladimir, NJ onuphri schelm wishes to
be presented to you"
81 know you very we'll Count" said
Schelm, with his most obliging smile. 81
remember our school days verv we'll. We
were school mates TOR some time, and to-day
received the polite invitation to your we'd
ding. All! Count vladimir You Young
people are ready to laugh at US cid people,
bookworms or Office rats as we are. Fortu-
nately, 1 cannot be angry with anybody.
You must have had some work, writing the
whole long address, take it for granted it
was your handwriting"
Lanin blushed and could hardly stammer
a few words.
Il beg your pardon, sir. 1 confess the
jest was out of place"
"Oh, ask for no excuse. am not angry.
1t is all right. 1 remember you very we'll;
Vladimir Lanin, that handsome, clever,
witty young man! 1 was ugly and every
body ran away from me. and 1 am still the
same. But that does not matter 1 am
happy to renew our acquaintance. Let us
turn to the psstl''
Really, Mr. Schelm, am ashamed"
"Oh, never mind! Let US drink your
health and that of YOUR fair opeI"
During the somewhat protracted supper
Lanin, Schelm and Miller chatted like three
excellent friends. Vladimir repented again
and again that he had permitted Jana to
tempt him to commit such grievous mis-
take, especially now when be saw that ter
rible man, who made the old counselor
tremble. in such good humor by his side.
AT last all was over. They took leave and
Schelm whispered into Miller's ear:
Remember! On Fridayr'