The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-12-02
A YANKEE IN RUSSIA.

The following is the substance Of story as told BY
MIR. Dallas at public dinner given him at Phadel~
pha, on his return from Russia, in 1929:
One day lad, apparently about 10, presented him>
selrbefore our ambassador at St. Petersburg He was
pure specimen of the genus Yankee; with sleeves
short for his bony arms, trousers half way up TO his
knees, and hands playing with coppers and tonpenny
nails in his pocket. He introduced himself by saying,
81 have just out here to trade with alow Yankee
notions and want to get sight of the emperor
why do you wish TO see himl
pve brought him present all the way from Amer.
iky. respect him considerable, and want to get at
him, to give it to him with my own hands,
MIR. Dallas smiled, he answered, lit is such com.
mon thing my lad to make crowned heads present,
expecting something handsome in return that I'm a.
fraid the emperor will consider this only a Yankee
trick What have you brought
AN acorn
An acorn! what under the sun induced you to bring
the emperor an acornf
why, just before sailed, mother and went on to
Washington to see about pension, and when we was
there,we thought we'd just step to Mount Vernon.
lrcked up this acorn there; and thought to myself
I'D bring it TO the emperor Thinks, says ], he must
Washington, andI expect hs must admire our inslitu-
tons. So now you see Eye brought it and | want to
get at him.
MY lad, it's not an easy matter for stranger to- ap>
proach the emPerorj and afraid he will take no no
tice ufyour present. You had better keep it,
Il tell you that want to haYe talk with him. ex
pect can tell him thing or two about Ameriky. l
guess he'd like mighty we'll to hear about railroads
ad our free schools, and what big swell our steam.
ers cut And when no hears how we'll our people are
getting on may be it will put him up to do something.
The long and the short ont is, shant be easy tilf
get talk with the emperor and should like to see his
wife and children. want to see how such folks bring
up a family
We'll III, since you so determined upon it. will
do what can for you: but you must expect to be dis
appointed. Thought will be rather an unusual pros
ceedng, would advise you call the ice.chan-
Cellor and state your wishes he may possibly assist
you
We'll, that's all want of you. l will call again, &
let you know how l get on
In two or three days he again appeared and said,
We'll, Eve seeR,he emperor and had talk with
him. Hee real gentleman, can tell you. When
gave him the ACORN he said he should Get great store
by il; that no character in ancient or modern history
he admired so much he did our Washington he SAID
ho'd plant in his palace garden with his own hand,
and he did it-for see him with my own eyes, He
wanted to ask much about our schools and rail
roads, and one thing oher that he invited me to
sumo agaiR and see his wife, fur he said shecould speak
better English than he could. So went again yesler-
day. and she's a fine knowing woman, tell you, and
his daughters are nice GALS
what did the Empress say to youi'
'oh, she asked me sight of questions Don't you
think, she thought we had servants in Ameriky.
told her poor folks did their work; but rich folks
had plenty o servants. But then you don't call 'cm
servants, said shsi youcdl 'em help guess, ma'am
you've been reading Mrs. Trollopef said I've had
that book aboard our ship. The emperor capped bis
hands, and laughedas if he'dk kill himselE-'You'r re
right, sir, said he, you're right We sent for OnEns-
lSh copy, and Shss been rsadms iehis very morning.
Then told him all knew about our country, and he
was nightly pleased. He wanted, to know how long
IeIpected to stay in these parts told him had sold
all the notions drought over and guessed should
60 back nthe ship. bid EN- goodbye all round
and went about my business. Amt had glorious
tmef expect you didn't calculate to see me run such
argr
Ne, indeed 6ld not, my ladi You may well con-
Sder Jourself lucky for its very uncommon thing for
crowned heads to treat stranger with much ds,nc-
ton
few days after he called again and said, 4 guess
shall stay spell longer, I'm treated we'll. Toher
DAY agrand officer came to my room, and told Inc the
emperor had sent him 10 show Rle all the curiosties s
dressed myself, and he took me with him ia mighty
hne carriage with four horses; Eve bssn to the thea
he and to the puseum: and expect I've seen about al
there is to be seen inst Petersburg, What do yor
think ofhat Mr. ballast
1t seemed SO incredible that q poor, ungunIp la
should be thus lOadedwith attentions, that the onbas
sador scarcely knew whatto think or say
In short time his strange visitor re-appearad tWe
saidhe, Tbavo made up my mind to 60 home, 50
wentto thank tile emperor, and'bid him good bye.
thought could do less, lie d been SO civil Sa,