My Friend Simeonoff.

TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN,

My friend Simeonoff is a revenue officer —not a very prominent position, to be sure, but he is a rising man, and he got his last promotion in connection with a little affair which is interesting enough. If the world would wait until my friend tells the story the world would never know, for Simeonoff is a modest man and avoids notoriety: but he told me and so the world will know all about it.

Ivan Pavlovitch Simeonoff had started from the foot of the ladder and had been on coast guard duty for five years, on the dreary confines of the Black Soa, when in the Summer of 187 —he was ordered to report at St. Petersburg, and without bo ing allowed apy time for repose after his little journey of 4,000 versts, was sent to the Esthoian coast of the Baltic, on coastguard duty. The Chief of his Department had briefly told him that at or near his new station, an estate named Kunda, extensive smuggling operations had been carried on for some time and if Simeonoff could discover the guilty parties his promotion to one of those snug little places in the Baltic seaport towns would be insured.

Like a good * Chinovnik' (Government officer), my friend resigned any hopes of enjoyment in the Captail, which he might have cherished, and set out for Kunda. That part of the coast of the gulf of Finland is pleasant to the eye. We from Great Eussia are easily satisfied as far as scenery is concerned. Here the ' beauty' consists of a long line of steep sand-stone cliffs, broken here and there by turbulent little streams that make their way through tortuous ravines to the sea. Groves of birch and spruce give color to the landscape, contrasting agreeably with the read stone, while the calm blue sea forms he background.

Such, was tlie aspect when Simeonoff arrived at his station in the month of August. His quarters were in a little square stone building on top of a projecting cliff called Crongskale, and, though it was warm weather then, he could not suppress a shiver at the thought of tho Winter blasts in that exposed position. His reception by his subordinates did not serve to throw any great degree of warmth over his anticipations. There was a corporal's guard of a Cossack regiment for patrol duty. The corporal was very polite—too much so to inspire confidence —and at the expression of his countenance ono could only guass, as his features were entirely covered with a grizzly beard, leaving nothing visible but small gray eyes and a fiery nose; five of the six privates were of the Tartar type — narrow dark eyes, and sleepy, sullen countenances ; but one of them, Ycfimka, differed from the rest; lie was a little Eussain, very dark, small, but stout and active, his coal-black eyes glistening with life and fun.

Simeonoff had been informed by his predecessor that ho need not expect much help from his men in accomplishing his task; they were a -worthless set of heathens, and that Yefitnka was smitten with the charms of an Esthonian peasant girl, and good for nothing in consequence. This latter circumstance did not prejudice his new superior against the little fellow, however, and he centered all his hopes of success on his co-operation.

The Summer and Autumn passed away, and, watch as ho might, my friend Simeonoff could not discover when and where the numerous consignments of goods had been landed, the shipment of which from Finland was roported to him from time to timo.

The principal estate in the neighborhood was owned by an old family of Gorman descont, the Barons Yon G —, and the present incumbents consisted of an old couple and their daughter—Mademoiselle Pauline. This latter was a beautiful young girl, surpassingly lovely, but, ah ! so proud. SimeonolF was a fine-looking fellow, but he had never received but the merest nod of recognition when they had met on their rides over the estate. He he had a pride of his own, and would never have thought about her if her name had not been mentioned in his occasional talks with Yefimka, in whose confidence he had made somo progress, and whose inamorata, a flaxen-haired, rosy, six-foot specimen of femininity, was chambermaid to the noble ' Fraulein.'

The Winter of 187- was a stormy one, and the ice on the gulf had not settled, giving the daring little crafts of the smug glers a chance to ru*n across from Finland during the long dark nights, and orders had been received from St, Petersburg to double the vigilance.

Yelimka had been unhappy of late. The unsophisticated maidens of Esthonia know how to' tease' as well as their sisters in St. Petersburg. Marja, the chambermaid, was trying her hand at it, put up to it, as her diminutive lover said, by her proud lady of a mistress. A few days before Christmas lie said to Simeonoff: 'On Christmas Eve there will be great doings at the manor-house ; I will speak to Mai'ja once more then, and if she does not change her tune, I will make it a sorry day for her and her high-toned sm ' He bit his tongue and said no more, but my friend's sus picions were aroused, and he concluded to act accordingly. The next morning he received notice that several boats had left Finland during the night, but he scoured the coast in vain with his men. No trace of a landing could bo found. Keturning ja no good humor, lie found M'lle Pauline

on her little pony on top of a high cliff, scanning the horizon with a fiold-glass. She seemed a little disconcerted at the approach of the officer, but, slightly bond ing her head, remarked calmly enough, ' I am looking for signs of a change in the weather, we should like to have it fine for our jollifications to-morrow.' He was about to pass on with a commonplace re mark, when the lady addressed him once more,' By-the-way, Mr. Simeonoff, will you not join us ou Christmas Eve? .All the neighborhood will be there, and it is time you should be made acquainted.' Very much surprised at this sudden cordiality, Simeonoff accepted the in vitation with great politeness. The following morning my friend made his preparations, instructed his men to patrol the beach, and report to him afc the mansion any thing important that might occur. Yefimka he fold to accompany him and be ready for duty, which meant to keep sober, not an easy task in view of the bounteous hospitality of that region. Finally, the long-neglected broadcloth was doned, and, dressed according to the rigorous demands of St. Petersburg society, Simeonoff arrived at Kunda, whero he met with the most cordial reception, Miss Pauline was conde scension herself, and evidently exerted herself to please. As the cares of the management devolved greatly upon her, she was in and out of the parlors continu ally, and once she ran up to her father and exclaimed : ' Oh, papa, these good-for nothing foresters! There is hardly a stick of wood in the sheds and any num ber of guests coming who want their rooms warm for the night. We must start all the teams to be had at once, though it is Uhristmas eve.'

1 Very well, my dear,' said the old man, ' we will give them a cask of brandy when the work is done, and they will not complain.' A few hours later, when the splendid dinner was oror and tho^revenue officer was enjoying tho long-missed pleasures of social intercourse, he was told that ono of his men wanted to see him. He stepped out and found one of the Cossacks, who told him that there was nothing to be scon on the beach, but all the peasants of tho estate seemed to bo out hauling wood.

1 Very well/ said Simoonoff,' I know all about that; you can go, but keep your self in the vicinity.'

A short time passed when the officer was callod out again. This time it was Yofimka. Ho evidently labored under great excitement, either mental or 1 spiritual.'

' Master,' he cried, ' Marja has insulted me and it is all over between us. She called me an insignificant little blacka moor, only think of that, and I will bo a corporal in a few months ! But never mind, I will get even. You watch at the woodsheds where the teams are coming in now and you will see something that will send some people to Siberia.'

Sittieoiiolf cold him to keep quiet and returned to tho parlors where dancing was going on now. Miss Pauline rushed up to him and said she wanted him for a partner in the quadrille just forming and ho had to submit. The set was hardly finishsd, however, when he disappeared. He slipped around to tho woodsheds, un seen in the dark, and covered by the projecting thatch, he saw that was doing there. The wood teams were discharging their loads, but every pile of wood con tained a box or bags which were hustled into a deop collar which opened at the inner extremity of the sheds. Presently a female from, muffled in furs, came up and asked one of the men in great ex citement : ' Have you seen anything of that plague of an officer ? He has left the house.' The man was about to an swer when SimoonofT stepped up and said, ' A.Uaw me to escort you to the house it is cold, you are shivering, and this is no place for you.' Mechanically, she took his arm, and when they neared the house she whisper ed faintly: ' Please, sir, do not make any scene before the guests. My parents are old and could not escape if they would.'

There was no' scene.' These tlrngs are managed quietly with us—the affair was reported, a fine, a heavy one, was imposed and paid, and though people made guesses at the cause of the sudden retrenchment in tho household of Baron Yon & ,there was nothing definitely known, but many years passed by before there was another Christmas gathering at Eunda.

My friend Simeonoff got his promotion, and is now setiled in a charming little house at lievel. I was there a few months ago, when he told me and his bright little wife the stony of that Christmas on the Gulf coast. Yofimkaiswithhim, married, also, but to a liussian, having forsworn Marja and all her countrywomen forever. — I "Weekly Chronicle.'

The Prince of Wales Kills a Tiger.

At Jeypore, on Fobtrsary 6th, the Prince was quartered in the .Residency. News of ' a kill,' as it is termed, was brought in on Saturday morning, in other words, that a tiger had killed a bullock in a ravine some five miles from Jeypore. A110:30 the Prince, attended by Lord A. Paget, Lord Aylesford, Lord Carringcon and Dr. Fayrer, rode to a small country house and garden, at the entrance to the corrie where the tiger was marked. The Maharajah awaited him, and ascended the hillside to a small, two-storied house, loopholed and surroundod by a low wall.

The Prince, the Maharajah, Lord A. Paget, Lord Aylesford and Colonel Rose took their posts, the Prince of Wales being in tho upper story, while the beaters, at the head of the corrie, made their way down towards the lair. It had been the original intention to station tho Prince in the stand in the ravine, just as if at a deer drive in Scotland, but the tiger having moved after its feast on the bul lock, the beaters were directed to drive the beast down the corrie toward the small house. Nearly two hours passed before the beaters came on the lair. The tiger, roused from sleep, was seen creep ing, cat-like, toward tho small house, sometimes lost from view, till it came within less than thirty yards of the Prince, who fired. The tiger gave a leap and started off at a trot down the ravine. Again the Prince fired and the tiger rolled over, but recovered and staggered out of sight into the hollow, amid thick brush. The Prince, who wished to fol low the trail on foot, mounted Fayrer's elephant and descended the slope below the beast's lurking place. Tho beaters threw stones into the ravine, and the tiger emerged at last and walked slowly up the bank. The Prince fired twice, but still the beast went on, falling over a bowlder out of sight. A beater, standing above on a hill, pointing to a cactus bush, said,' It lies there, dead.' The party descended and closed around the crea ture —tremendous still in death. It. was a full-grown female, eight and a half feet long. The carcass was placed on an eleph* ant and borne in triumph to the kiosk.— [Dr. Russell in London- Times.]

Anecdotes of Some Noted Men.

• As Sheridan Knowles was walking one day with a brother dramatist he was accosted by a gentleman in these terms; ' You're a pretty follow, Knowles; after fixing your day and hour to dine with us, to never make your appearance.' I could not help it, upon my honor,' replied Knowles, * How are you all at home ?' 'Oh, quite well, thank you, but, come, now, will you name another day and keep your word ?' ' I will —sure I will.' 1 Well, what day ?' ' Shall we say Thursday next ?' ' Yes Thursday be it.' •At sixP' 'At six.' ' I'll bo there punctu ally. My love to 'em all.' Knowles, relinking his arm with that of Bernard, said: ' Whose that chap ?' not having the least idea of the name or residence of the man ho had promised to dine with ; or tho interesting 'family' to whom he had sent his love.

In the last illness of poor Hood he was reduced to a skeleton. As he noticed a very large mustard poultice which Mrs. Hood was making for him ho exclaimed : 'Oh Mary ! that will bo a great deal of mustard to a very little moat.'

Shortly before his death, being visited by a clergyman, whose features as well as language were more lugubrious than condoling, Hood looked up afc him compassionately, and said: 'My dear sir, I'm afraid your religion dosen't agree with you!' A Gentleman in company with. Dr. 'Johnston, to some of the usual arguments for drinking, added this : ' You know, sir, drinking drives away care and makes us forget whatever is disagreeable. Would you not allow a man to drink for that reason ? ' Johnston replied : ' Yes, sir, if he sat nigh you !' Sydney Smith, in speaking of a certain journey, said: ' Most people sulk in stagecoaches, I always talk. On one occasion a gentleman in the coach with mo suddcntly looked out of the window as we approached York and said : ' There is a very clever man, but a devilish odd fellow lives near here—Sydney Smith, I believe.' ' Ho may bo an odd fellow,' said I, taking off my hat to him, ' and I dare say he is; but odd as he is, he is here very much at your service.' Poor man! thought he would have' sunk into his boots, but I thought better to tell him at once, or he might proceed to say I had murdered my grandmother, which I must have resented, you know.' The same reverend was so aware of the badness of his writing: that in a letter to a friend who wished to see one of his sermons he says :' I would send it to you with pleasure, but my writing is as if a sworm of ants, escaping from an ink bot tle, had walked over a sheet of paper with out wiping their legs.' When an Anxonne, Napoleon and some officers were quartered in the house of a barber. Napoleon shut himself in his room and devoted himself to study. The other young officrsaSmused themselves by coqueting with the barber's pretty wife, who was much annoyed that her charms had no power to draw Napoleon from his studies. Afterwards, when in command of the army in Italy, Nopoleon passed through Anxonne, on his gay to Marengo. He stopped at the barber's door and asked the hostess if sho remembered a young officer by the name of Bonaparte, who was once quartered in her family. ' In deed I do,' she replied pettishly, and a very disagreeable young man he was. He was always shut up in his room, and never condescended to speak to any one.'

lAh ! my good woman.' Napoleon re joined, ' had I passed my time as you wished, I should not now have been in command of the army of Italy.'

A simple-looking country lad, to whose lo' fell the leading question in the catechism, " What ia your name ?" replied " Carrots !" "Who gave you that name?"—" All the boys in the parish, sir," whiuingly replied the red-haired urchin.

A Carnival Incident.

'Does she really love me ?' said Captain Ernest Ton Steinberg, aide-de-camp to the King of Bavaria, as he left the presence of the young and beautiful baroness, Anna Yon. Graffenbcrg, the belleo of Munich, and his passionately beloved mistress, ' or*is she really the heartless coquette which common rumour makes her ?'

As he passed down the staircase he encountered the pretty baroness' pretty French chambermaid, Lisette.

' Lisette,' said he, ' you are looking charmingly to-day—do you know it ?' 'My mirror told me so this morning.' replied Lisette, looking up boldly into his face.

' What lips ! what eyes ! and what a figure V said tire soldier. 'But, do you know I think you would look infinitely prettier in a lavender-colored silk robe, with a cherry-colored ribbon ?'

'Very possible, sir,' answered llie waiting-maid. ' But those things cost money, and how is a poor girl like me to dress like a lady ?'

11 have thought of that difficulty,' said Ernest, ' and have provided a remedy. Will you allow me to present you with, a slight token of my gratitude and admira tion ?'

As he spoke he drew forth a little net silk purse, through the interstices of which several newly-coined gold pieces showed their pleasant brilliant counten ances.

Lisette's eyes reflected their brightness

' You are altogether too generous,' she said, but the little whito fingers clasped the glittering oiler ing and conveyed it to one of the side-pockets of the coquettish black silk apron that she wore.

• JNow tell me, Lisette/said the captain, 'is your,mistress going to the masked ball at the palace to-morrow night ?'

Ah! but that is a great secret, sir, which I promised madam not to reveal,' replied Lisette archly, laying her finger on her lips.

1 She is going, then P' said Ernest. 1 You say so/ answered Lisette, smil ing. 'And what else did your mistress charge you to keep secret?' asked the officer, smiling in his turn.

' That she was going to wear a rose-col ored domino, with a bunch of sky-blue ribbons on the right shoulder,' replied the waiting-maid, hurriedly, and she ran up stairs as if to avoid further catechism, fully satisfied that her indiscretion had been an ample offset to the aid-de-camp's

present. 'Very good, Madame Anna,' said the young officer to himself. ' I have now reconnoitred the ground, and I shall know where to open my trenches. All's fair in love and war. And now to my friend the sculptor's—if his ingenuity aid me, my success will be certain.' * # * * *• * On the night of the masked ball the royal palace of Munich was a blaze of light. Every window glowed as if the interior were a mass of fire, and the brilliant rays.'streaming forth upon the night, fell on the glittering helmets, breast plates and sabers of t,he mounted cuiras siers, or wore reflected from the bayonets of a detachment of the infantry of the line drawn up as a guard of honor in the square without. Gharnberlains stood at tlie entrance of the palace, files of lackeys, with wax tapers flaring in the evening air, shed the light of day almost on the grand staircase. Carriage after carriage rolled up in succession with their living freights of beauty and youth, and as light feet fell like snow-flakes on th« carpeted mar ble, as graceful forms vanished within the portals, tho ears of the bystsnders were lulled by the pleasant rustling of silks, while the breeze was perfumadbya thou sand delicate orders. But if such were the external manifestations of the fete, how far more brilliant and bewildering was the interior of the palace of pleasure ! How those lofy halls glowed with the dazzling effulgence of thousands of wax tapers! How softly beautiful were the marble statues that graced the niches, lined the corridors, and looked down from (heir pedestals on the grand ball-room ! How oriental in their magnificence were the gorgeous draperies of velvet and satin, with their fringes of gold bullion; but above all, what music streamed on the enchanted air from an orchestra com poscd^of a hundred of the best instrumen telists in the city! And the life—the animation of the throng that filled that brilliant saloon—who shall describe it ?

Earnest Yon Steinberg, who looked but for one person in that brilliant mul titude, was so masked and muffled that his disguise was perfectly impenetrable. Therefore, when he at last found the rose-cDlored domino, he hesitated not to address her. ' Good-evening, fair mask.' ' Good-evening, gallant cavalier/ "vas the reply. ' Bat how know you that I am fair ?' ' Were I to pronounce you the fairest in Munish, none would dispute your title.' said Ernest. • Do you know me ?' asked the fair one. ' The belle of Munich hides her face in vain,' answered Ernest. ' That inimitable foot and hand are her betrayers.' ' You may be mistaken, after all,' con tinued the mask. ' I cannot be, and I claim the hand.' said Ernest, ' and will find employment for that dainty foot. The music sounds.' 11 believe my hand is promised al ready,' answered the fair one ;' so take it quick, before some one disputes the prize 1 with you,'

The next momenTtW^X 1 around the vast saloon $ N'tel might keep dancers on \U ; M Anna leaned on the shonL nor, and lie breathed in T i lkj that she could not Hate^i thrill of pleasure. At tL >|i the dance Ernest ledherlVHl mwhieh tW fa* j 'You persist, then,' said r 1 calling me the Baroness yl $\l 'If I had doubted befo re S| would have convinced me\ ,Ollt£l 'The leader of the sylphiSl her step. *10m1 'I am a perfect Tagli On j 1 the Baroness, laughing, «tj,Vf have guessed right. AndJ» ifyl for my confidence, may I»„ ' raise your mask P' ' I can refuse you nothing.., 1 He raised his mask as I* \l dislosed to the astoniseed %>J Baroness the well-known f M res of S King of Bavaria. . m^ of I 4 But I thought you assu re a fl . 1 cavalier was Captain Ernest V berg!' exclaims the reader *M explain. '^1 To give additional zest and I and complicate the mysteri **H masquerade, the courtiers n!!p H the following expedient; TW "Nl fine wax likenesses of their f emenent persons, and, wore tt" 6^l! their masks. When requegy their identity, they would rais 9 l 1 mask, and the inner wax one « °1 moment, in most cases' I6" deceived the spectator, ft ,^'4 imagine what an infinite fi e^i mystification this contrivance i 1 Captain Ernest had a friend, a■! if who had modeled a bust of theti*! from him ho had procured aw 1! beautifully colored, and so well» i as to deceive the eyes of % ifl for the moment they rested on it j Jtl satisfied with his success, repiac^.l black velvet vizard, and 'eonfaJf 1 interview. ; ;^l ' Yes, Baroness,' whispered the&J aide-de-camp; 'it is the King'who hi before you—not as your King Li your subject, your slave—the yl your beauty.' , . : < - I ' Ah, sire !' sighed the belle of 'you are sporting with the sensitejj a weak woman.' i 'No, by Heaven, lam not!' rental false King. 'I am incapable of Ll| hold me at your feet, and hearme If eternal allegiance to your charms,1 f 'Eise, rise, sire!' said the %jJt. very mach agitated. (We may be m J overheard.' - I ' Long have I thought,' continued tJ false King,' that beauties such asy®l : should grace a throne.' ; | '' A throne !' echoed the Baronesi, 1 'But you are right,' hesaid.' 'fll ■ isno time or place for confidencelikjoiul Hark, the clock is striking til ' Will you trust my honor, andmeelnej ' this hour to-morrow night?' '~ | ' Where sir ?' inquired the Baroness. I ! 4 In the Chinese pavilion, in the ftjjjl ' of the palace,' he replied. 'ThfVM of the postern gate that leads to tie "M of the pavilion shall be left openfofW'l ■ The Baroness gave him herhaii? I 4 To-morrow night, at twelve I* saud she I ' and glided from the room. 1 !

'Oh woman! woman! woman!1 til Ernest, when left alone—'false as,fai;! Is it for this we rank you with the aigeli! But tremble faithless one—your prat ment shall be as bitter as the agony 1 suffer,'

And he followed the Baroness into ill dancing saloon. He had no sooieiM the room than a masked figure stolefi from beneath a mass of crimson drapaj, 1 The Chinese pavilion—to-monij night at twelve!' said the stag! 'Bravo! bravo! Captain Yon Steiikf And he too vanished. . jj

A few minutes before 12 o'clock oi tin following night Captain Yon Steif wearing his wax mask, unlocked and ea>_ tered tlie Chinese pavilion in the hji!' garden. The inside shutters of/tlw, dows were closed, so that he vented i produce a match and light a wax^ taking care to place a shade over its that the room should be very dimlyEjW cd. After completing the arranged he glanced around, and startled on setig she iigure of a man near the table. fc stranger was dressed m the uniformoftt aid-de-camp, and wore a mask over i; face. ' Who are you?' demanded Ernest^1 vaucing to the intruder. ' You have anticipated a similar ■■(s&■■ tion,' replied the man. a 'But I have a right to know,I;if Ernest. 'So have i,' was tlie p answer. ' Sir ?' said Ernst, placing his liana» the saber. •So do I,' replied the mask;-1 * I reserve it for tne enemies of 01 country. ; , * Who are you ? I emplore you to* me,' said Ernest. "3L 'Ah! now you speak in a dim* manner,'said the stranger. 'I, sir,|J Captain yon Steinberg, at your service^ de-camp to hi 3 majesty, the KiDJ.*, Bavaria.' ' The duce you are!' thought Ernesi. But confidence for confidence,' said^ irnposter. 'Wow you must tell me j you are, and by what right I find y<» J the royal pavilion at this hour ?' • By the best right in the world,' rep , Earnest boldly, 1 •I, but MB tlw Kfo,

MJvemiiig gfrfcabr {Supplement, May %27 3 18*7©,