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My father, Andrew Peter Grineff, having served in his youth under Count Munich, left the arrade of First Major From that time he lived on his estate in the Principality of Sihter of a poor noble in the neighborhood Of nine children, the issue of this e, I was the only survivor My brothers and sisters died in childhood

Through the favor of a near relative of ours, Prince B---, hieant of the Guards in the regih till my education should be finished From my fifth year I was confided to the care of an old servant Saveliitch, whose steadiness promoted him to the rank of my personal attendant Thanks to his care, when I elve years of age I kne to read and write, and could

At this tied upon a salary a Frenchht from Moscoith one year's provision of wine and oil from Provence His arrival of course displeased Saveliitch

Beaupre had been in his own country a valet, in Prussia a soldier, then he ca very hat the word ay and absent-minded His chief foible was a passion for the fair sex Nor was he, to use his own expression, an enemy to the bottle --that is to say, a la Russe, he loved drink But as at holasses, and as, ogue, Beaupre soon accustomed himself to Russian brandy, and, in time, preferred it, as a better tonic, to the wines of his native country We beca to contract he was engaged to teach me French, German, and all the sciences, yet he was content that I should teach him to chatter Russian But as each of us minded his own business, our friendship was constant, and I desired no mentor However, destiny very soon separated us, in consequence of an event which I will relate

Our laundress, a fat girl all scarred by sreed, one fine day, to throw themselves atwith their innocence and inexperience!

Myupon this point, and she in turn complained to my father, who, like aof a Frenchman" into his presence The servant inforiving me a lesson