Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-01
The Fate of
VasSilo IvanOff


:, architect. He was also an artist OF
.one repute. and two or three Of his
-s,.ures had found a place on the
s-.,,s Of the st. Petersburg salon. His
s-s.ras sometimes rated him for de-
.c..ne too much time to painting pic
lures that did not pay. and too little
i hls profession, which did pay. He
- long been engaged to Maria
,Iexevey.na. who had the reputation
= heing one of the most beautiful
vo.ur women In st. Petersburg She
r.s 4 member Of a poor but exceed
,,gIy good family. The marriage of
no Young couple had been delayed on
,ss grounds that Ivanoff could not af-
,,,s 10 keep a wife until his financial
vosltion improved.
Among Ivanoff's friends was one
p,skon who was said to be wealthy
md also exceedingly practical. and
,rano,f was in the habit Of consulting
Aim about many things. Riskoff.
,rowing that his friend was improvi-
s.ut As well as impractical, strongly
,svised him to delay his intended
marraxe. Ivanoff was headstrong.
and Riskofi was persistent, with the
result that the lifelong friends quar-
rsled. and the two. who had been like
h-ofhers. passed each other by as II
tbey were strangers. Ivanoff kept
urring his sweetheart to consent to
the.r marriage until finally she yield
d and they became man and wife.
The first year of their married life
vas a happy one. but romance cannot
last forever, a fact of which Ivanoff
vas sooa to prove the truth. To his
horror be found that he was on the
verge Of bankruptcy. He realized that
Ne was completely ruined; and to
such az extent did the discovery az
feet him that one night he was seen
Al fashionable cafe in a state of In
toxication. Some acquaintances tried
70 persuade him to go home. but his
excitement only increased. and he
vas heard to exclaim: 1T is a shame
that should be poor when there are
thousands less worthy rolling in
wealth. feel as IL / could murder
those who hoard their gold when so
many are suffering for the want of
ssmmon necessaries."
This outburst of passion was due.
no doubt, to his condition, but II was
Z dangerous sentiment to express In
Russian cafe. though but for subse-
Quent events no Importance would
hare been attached to it. Finally
la3of went home, and on the follow
hs dsy resolved to appeal for help to
kis foGmef friend. Riskoff. With that
Intention he went to the latter's house,
but found he was out, and as 1t was
uncertain when he would return,
YAssilo asked for pen and paper and
srots letter. begging Riskof to
lend him two thousand roubles. prom
islng faithfully to repay the loaH in
ST. months time. The next day he
received the following reply:
Dear lysnoff:--
7 am surprised after the GOODNESS
here mas been between US Of late that
Iou should apply to me for assist
mce. ] was your warm friend once.
but you thought proper to trifie with
~ friendship, 80 there's an end Of 1t.
4 vill not be of any use for you to
uite % me or call here again. as to-
morrow morning | shall set on on a
pafney 20 visit my estates and shall
no' Be back for a month"
Deeply hurt by his friends con-
tnptuous refusal. Ivanoff showed the
N'ler 70 his wife. Up to that time
ne had not realized that matters
sge quite 20 bad. and In a at Of
N'ulance and wounded pride she has
~ put on her cloak and bonnet and
E'n' ef to her parents. Soon after
'1as her unhappy husband also
s'1t out and was absent for some
,o'n In the evening his wife re-
Nned. accompanied by her brother.
sae bad repented her hasty action,
NC N the meantime Ivanoff had also
zone back. He appeared to be in a
.uen happier frame of mind, and
A-nts brother witnessed a pleasant
ran'on He spent the evening with
-sn Before retiring vassilo told his
e nat be was in funds again and
would Be well He laughingly re-
sea that he couldn't explain his
80 luck Just then. but would do so
On. The next day Ivanoff rose
NY attended to some business
paid several Of the most
ss'' claims against him, and In the
,n'ns be and his wife dined at
own house in company with
friends. In the midst of the
tne company were startled by
"'ent ringing Of the door bell.
- servant hurried to the door. and
epenlng II was confronted by an
Known as Judge Of Instruc-
-. accompanied by his two legal
and two armed policemen.
must zee your master, vassilo
nsnb u "e 'uuse
a., servant led the way to the d.
nom, followed by the Official and
nen Addressing the assembled
NE Judge said CURLY:
Il &c acre on very serious bust
- Hanon. you are accused Of
i,-, submitted q murder. Your
friend. Mr.. Riskon, is dead