The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-30
From Chsmbers's kalnbufeh 5ee'
The sIeuzik0n Family

name oil MenZlkOh, io'""S "
kind of honey cake in great request aniohe
the Russians. This Menzikoff had son.
who. though mere boy, from his quIckness
and intelligence was most useful 10 NE
father. Ii was his business 10 sell cakes
and he might be seen in every quarter oil
the city with basket, which ne was oI'eh
fortunate enough 10 empty three or loui
times in the day. On some OCCASIONS
however, lie was unsuccessful IN dIsPoslnS
of his merchandise and when thus bring. |
ing home again part of what he had carried
out. ne used TO steal into his little room to
avoid meeting his father, who IN such case
would fly into a passion, and send han 10
bed supperless, and perhaps, in addition 10
this punishment, beat him severely. AND
never was chas,isement more unjust; io'
Alexander did his very best TO sell his
cakes, repairing to the most public walks
and the doors of the principal churches
trayersing the streets and the thorouiares'
till at length he was well known to all the
inhabitaDls of Moscow-nay even TO the
Car Peter himself, who condescended,
while buying cakes from him, TO chat
with him, and laugh at his lively sallIes
and quick repartees.
Brought thus into contact with princess
and mobiles, the sight OF the luxury and
magni6cence that surrounded them soon
inspired the young Menzikoff with a dis
gust of his trade sufficiently strong TO make
him long to throw aside his basket, and bid
sdieu forever TO bis cakes. But his aspira-
lions had scarcely taken the form oil hope,
so vague were they, and so little Probablll-
ty did there appear Of any change oil con
Idition. Little did he imagine that fortune
was even then about TO take him by the
hand, TO raise him to the highest pinnacle.
One day his father received an order Tor
cakes from a nobleman, who was giving
an entertainment TO several OF the courtleTs
of the Gar. Alexander was OF course the
bearer of them. Admitted to the banquet
ting room, he sees large company, all oil
whom had INDUCED in coPious llbatlons,
and a greater number Of whom were quite
intoxicated. To Alexander's establishment,
IN the midst Of the Jingle oil glasses, and
the clamor of drunken riot, he hears threat
ening words against the Gar. A vast con
spiracy exists to expel him from the throne
got up by the Princess Sophia, whose am
bition could not be satisfied in the obscurlty
of the convent in which her brother Peter
Obliged her TO remain. The very next day
the consprators were TO carry into eiiecI
their terrible plot. Alexander hesitates no
one moment; he glides unnotlced from the
room and hastens to the palace. He i
surrounded on his arrival by the guards, Il
,, whom he is well known.
"Gocd.day Menzikoff; what brings yoI
, here without your cakes
"Talk not Of cakes" he answered
painting and bresthless, and almost wild
with terror 81 must see the Gar; | mus
speak to him, and that on the instant -
"a mighty great man truly to speak II
the Car he has other things te do beside
listening to your ioolery.
. sin the name OF all you love BEST for th
sake Of great St. Nicholas, our patron saint
: take me to the Gar; every moment los
! NAV be the cause OF frghtful misfortune:
= = II you hinder me from seeing the Emperor
you will repent it all your life"
= Surprised at his urgency, one OF tn
guards determined to go to the Emperor ant
ascertain his pleasure concerning him. Pe
: ter, always accessible to the meanest @
;, his subjects, ordered Menzkof TO be ad
= mittec. "Well, Alexander, and what hav
y y you got to say so important 2
"My lord" cried the boy throwing hin
= self at the princes feet, ''your life is q
= stake if you delay single hour. Only
few PAGES from your palace they are cor
spring against you: they have sworn t
have your life"
= 81 will not give them time," answere
e Peter smiling. "Come, rise. and be m
" guide. Remember only thai you must b
'e as silent as the grave upon all you alread
know and all that may happen. Your Fl
ture fortune depend on your discretion"
With these words the Emperor wrappe
a himself in cloak, and repaired alone
t. the house where the conspirator were a
5; sembled. A few minutes pause, at tn
of door Of the room gave him, in the words
5; overheard, sufficient proof of the truth
p Menzkoff's report, and he suddenly entere
h the room. The conspirstors, supposir
D. that his guard was at his back, fell on the
ut knees before him, imploring pardon at Il
rs very moment that bis life was in the
T. hands.
n From that day might be dated the bri
N liant fortunes Of the young Menzikoi
ut Peter, grateful for the services he had rel
y dered him, kept him about his person, an
g gave him all the educational advantag,
= within his reach. And well did he prof
al by them, acquiring in a short time sever
languages, and such skill in arms, an
knowledge Of state affairs, that he soon b
came necessary to the Car, who never wei
anywhere without him. When on his T
turn from Holland, Peter wished to carr
out those plants Of social amelioration
which he had been laboring for so mar
E. years, he found in Menzikoff a second sci
:, able and willing to cooperate with him
all his projects. Such signal services 500
e. obtained for him the government of Ingri
the rank Of prince, and in 1902 the tit
Of major general. He was then FIVE an
r twenty years Of age.
War having been declared against p
y land, Menzikof signalized himself in Sc
eral battles, and attained to the bighe
Offices. But was he happy No the pc
y petual fears of a reverse that haunted Tin
the consciousness thot he mae -. IL.