The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-03-05
From the Home Journal.
A DEsPOT'S WIT.

90. fa n OEDIOl . VII.
A certain Monsieur de V---was the
most expert maitre de dansc in the Russian
Capital. In dress and demeanors he was the
most exquisite Of beings. His coat was more
recherche, his linen whittier, his trousers natii,r,
his cravat glossisr, and his French leather
boots more brilliantly bright than the coat,
crayat, boots or breechss of any man in 81.
Pstsrsburgh. In full7drsss, he was NOR.
tai miracle. Now, it happens, that passen-
gers on the streets Of the Capital are mot on
ly obliged TO remain in them, as is related
in the anecdote published in the last number
Of TIE HoMK JOURNAL, but, If they are rid
ing or driving, they must descend from their
horses or vehicles, and remain standing, un.
covered, on the pavement, until the Imperial
esrtege has passed.
One day Monsieur do v was driv-
ing along in his carriage, in full costume,
when the coach of the Sovereign hove in
sight in the distance. The Gay was wet,
drizzly, dirty, and the streets were covered
with mud. This was, indeed, disagresabls
position for our dancing master; but there
was no escape. The law was imperative
and his coachmun stopped. In due time
the royal vehicle approached, and, thinking
that it would be permitted compromise, de
v descended 10 the Ieipsst step ofhis
coach, whore he stood, hat in hand, and sa-
wing his soles from the contamination of the
pavement. Sed oana spes! As the Empe-
ror's carriage came near him, it moved slow
er and slower; and when il arrived directly
opposite, il stopped entirely!
The Frenchman's heart palpitated anxious
", and indeed futtsred not little when he
psrccived the Emperor's head thrust out Of
the window, convsrsng with an aid-de-camp
who had spurred up 10 the coach when it hal
ted. Presently the eyes Of the takers were
turned to the miserable dandy; and. at last,
the aid-de-camp wheeled his horse directly
towards him.
"I believe ! have the pleasure TO address
Monsieur de " ~ said the officer very
courteensly-"and, If l am not deceived in
my surmise as TO your name--his Highness
the Emperor, desires the faver Of a moments
conversation with youm -
The request ofa Sovereign Is always ar
order; and good manners, ss well az goot
law, permitted no resistance; so, with shud
der and sigh, the polished pump of the
lnaklass -daneer sank inIo the oozing mud Of
St. Petersburg! Picking his way like a spi.
der over hot gridiron, de v soon
stood at the window Of the carriage, and
bowed, in silence, TO the aaocrat.
"Aha! aha! Monsieur de "" OK.
claimed Nicholas, "Js sHis charme dc pou,
poir! am delighted to see you. I have
longed to met you! Let me repea. III sir, !
am enchanted 10 behold you, and the more
SO because ! am told you are the most ac-
complishsd professor of your beautiful ari
that has ever visited my capital. Ohi don't
bow, sir, and deny it; I'm sure that report
hasn't done you half the justice you deserve.
ParbleH! when | saw you jus, now, the od-
dest fancy in the world, do you know, seized
me. Pm dying to see you dance! Cesi
prai, cest prai, and SO eager, too, am ], mon
cher de w., that can't lose an instant
The day is bad, it is true, and the street is
not over clean; yet, what are such obstacles
TO man of your musclei De VI
must have an extemporaReous polka before
Ibudge from this spot!''
You may imagne the dsmay of the dan
cling master when he heard the irresistible
request, and met the cold, mocking eye O
the Emperor. "Your Imperial Highnsss vii
pardon me---but would suggest that the ex
hibtien would he more gratifying In the pal
ace, where | will'- .t. &
"Oh, no matter, sir, for the palace" inter
rupted Nicholas'--athe more dirt the more
skillw -sfT .ss
"But l have no music, sirs!''
"Come sir, en- Grant, orI shall call a gen
d'aemes for a fddlerm
"It is quite needlessp' groaned the dan
cling master, as he put himself in a positiel
and squared away for the dance. dd
Mighty, that day,-mgh,y was the aston
ishment of the mud Of 81. Petersburg,-i
mud ever gets astenished, as it is said by L
e. L,te get into "high spirits when it be
comes dust on windy day." Hopping
skipping, bounding, jumping, leaping, ,--lik
tina. Of the unfortunate. de - neve
was perpstratsd before or since on any high
way Of Europe or America. The Empere
locked enwith deeorous gravity, applaudin
each exceliing pas, and becoming rapturou
over the grace and ability efthe unwilling ex
hibitor. AT last. the strsaglh of the mas
ter failed, but not until he was thoroughly be
spattered. gsf
''Do.ns fatigue yourself, mon cher, t
crafty me anymors,n said the Emperor wAeI
de Y. stopped. "Let me thank YOU thou
sand, thousand times for yeur kindness, ant
permit me to hope tAatA yos hase NOT soilet
your pumpsp