Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-11-16
7 A N X EE EN- TERPRISE
BY LYDIA MARIA CHILD,

sador at 81. Petersburg. He was a pure
specimen OF the genus Yankee; with sleeves
too short for his bony arms. trowsers half
way up his knees, and hands playing with
/ coppers and ten-penny nails in his pocket.
He introduced himself by saying, 'I've just
come out here to trade with few Yankee
notions, aad want to get sight Of the en-
peror'
Why do you wish to see him."
'Fve brought him present, all the way
| from Ameriky. respect him considera-
BILE, and want to get at him, TO give it to
him with my own hands,
Mr.. Dallas smiled as he answered, 1t
is such common thing, my lad, TO make
crowned heads present, expecting some
| thing handsome in return, that Pm afraid
the emperor will consider this only Yam
kee trick. What have you broughts
AN acorn
An acorn! what under the sun induced
you to bring the Emperor of Russia an
acorn?'
why, jest before | sailed, mother and
| went on to Washington to see about a
pension; and when we was there, we tho't
we'd Jest step over to Mount Vernon. |
picked up this acorn there; ard | thought
to myself, I'd bring it to the emperor
Thinks says |, he must have heard Of our
General Washington, and expect he must
admire our institutions. So now you see
I've brought it, and | want to get at him.
My lad, it's not an easy matter for a
stranger TO approach the emperor; and I'm
afraid he will take no notice of Your pre-
sent. You had better keep it.
Il tell you | want to have talk with
him. | expec: can tell him a thing or
two about Ameriky. | guess he'd like
mighty we'll to hear about our rail roads,
and our free schools, and what a mighty
swell our steamers cut. And when he
hears how we'll our people are getting on,
may be it will put him up TO do something.
The long and short ont is, | shan't be ca
sy till get talk with the emperor; and
should like to see his wife and children.
| want to sec how such folks bring up
family
well, sir, since you are so determined
upon il, will do what | can Tor you; but
you must expect to be disappointed. -
Though it would be rather an unusual pro-
ceeding, | would advise you to call on the
vice chancellor, and state your wishes; he
may possibly assist you
well, that's all want Of you. | will
call again and let you know how get on
In two or three days he again appeared,
and said
'Well, I've seen the emperor, and had
talk with him. He's real gentleman,
can tell you. When | give him the acorn
he said he would set great store by it;
that there was no character in ancient or
modern history he admired so much as he
did our Washington. He said he'd plant
it in his palace garden with his own hands;
and he did do it-for | see him with my
own eyes. He wanted to ask me so much
about our schools and railroads, and one
thing or other, that he invited me to come
again, and see his daughters; for he said
his wife could speak better English than
he could. So | went again, yesterday; and
ste's a fine knowing woman, tell you:
and his daughters are nice gals
What did the empress say to say you 2
'Oh, she asked me sight Of O ques-
tons. Don't you think, she thought we
had no servants in Ameriky! told her poor
folks did their own work, but rich folks
had plenty O. servants But then YOU
don't call 'em servants said she you
call 'em help | guess, ma'am, you've
been reading Mrs. TroIlop? says |. We
had that ere book aboard our ship. The
emperor cIapped his hands, and laughed as
if he'd kill himself. You're right SIR
said he, You're right. We sent for an
English copy, and she's been reading it
this very morning Then | told him all |
knew about our country, and he was might
lily pleased. He wanted to know how long
expected 10 stay in these parts. | told
him I'd sold all the notions brought over,
and | guessed should go back in the same
ship. bid 'em good bye, all around, and
went about my business. Amt | had a
glorious time ? expect you didn't calcu-
late 10 see me in such a rig!'
No, indeed, | did not, my lad. You
may well consider yourself lucky ; for it's
very uncommon thing for crowned
heads to treat stranger with SO much dis
tinction.'
A few DAYS after he called again. and
said,' | guess | shall stay here spell lon
ger, I'm treated so well. T'other day a
grand officer came to my room. and told me
the emperor had sent him 10 show me all the
curiosies and dressed myself. and he
took me with him, in mighty fine car
riage, with four horses; and I've been to
the theatre and museum; and expect I've
seen about all there is to be seen at ST. Pc
tersburg. What do you think Of that Mr..
| Dallas
1t seemed so incredible that a poor. IN
calmly Yankee lad should be thus loaded
with attentions that the ambassador scarce
ly knew what to think or say.
In short time. his strange visitor re-
| appeared. Well.' said be- | made I'D