A CURIOUS STORY.

A lieutenant in the Russian army, and a Count pardessus le marcM, having paid marked attention to the prettiest girl in Moscow, Jier father, by profession a dyer, asked him if his intentions were honourable or otherwise. As the young nobleman's reply was evasive (says an exchange), the worthy dyer naturally concluded they were otherwise, and requested him to bestow his attentions elsewhere. The young gallant kept out of the way for some time, but at last passion got the better of prudence, and he re-commenced his flirtations with the dyer's pretty daughter during the absence of her worthy sire. The irevitable occurred. Papa surprised the lovers, and without much ado collared the budding warrior, doused him in the first • handy vat of dye, and then reasoned with him a posteriori. When the Count got home he discovered that neither cold water nor hot, neither spirits of wine nor benzine, neither soap nor silver sand, would remove his new complexion — a heavenly azure. The Govern-or-General of Moscow was informed of the tragedy, summoned the dyer to his 2>resence, and ordered him to remove the stain at orice, but the delinquent proudly answered that the azure was his own invention, and a fast colour, which neither he nor anybody else could wash out. He admitted, however, that it could be changed to black, and he would do it gratis. The young Count nearly lost his senses. Eveiy chemist in Moscow tried Ms skill, but without avail. At last the heroine of this story wormed out the secret from her father. The Count's complexion is restored to its pristine pink, and she is a Countess. -