The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-10-06
Whole Number 11SS
A Yankee in Russia

S1OCV
as told by Mr.. Dallas at public dinner given
him at Philadelphia On his return from Russia
in 1888:
One day a lad apparently about nineteen,
presented himself before our ambassador at
ST.. Petersburg. He was pure specimen Of
the genus Yankee. wi sleeves loo short for
his buny arms, trousers half way up his knees,
and hands playing with coppers and ienpenny
nails in his pocket. He introduced himself BY
saying, II have just come out to trade you a
few Yankee notions, and want 10 get sight OF
the Emperor"
why do you wish 10 see him2'
.l've brought him present all the way from
Ame-iky. ! respect him considerable, and
want to get at HIM, to give it TO him with my
own hands,
| Mr.. Dallas smiled. as he answered, at is
such common thing. my lad, TO make crown
ed heads present. expecting somelhing hand
some in return. that am afraid the enper.
or will consider this only Yankee trick
What have you brought2'
AN acorn
AN acorn! what under The sun induced yon
to b-ing the emperor acorn?'
why, just before sailed, mother and went
on TO Washington TO see about pension, and
when we were there, we thought we'd jus, step
over 10 Mount Vernon. l picked up this acorn
there; and | thought 10 myself l'de bring it 10
the emperor. Thinks, says /, he must have
heard considerable deal about Gen. Washing
ton, and expect he must admire our institus,
lions. So now you see I've brought it, and
want to get at him.
My lad, IFS not on easy matter for stran-
ger 10 approach the emperor; and am afraid
he will take no notice of your present. You
had better keep it,
Il tell you that want to have a talk with
him.. expect can tell him thing or two
about Ameriky. guess he'd like mighty well
TO hear about our railroads. and our free schools
and what big swell our steamboats, cut; and
when he hears how we'll our people are getting
on, may be it will put him 10 ing some hing.
The long and short ont is, shant be easy till |
get atulk with the emperor; and | should like to
see his wife and children. | want to see how
such folks bring up u family"
sW ell, sir, since you are SO determined upon
, 1t, will do what l Gun for you; but you mus
, expect to be disappointed. Though it will be
rather an unusual proceeding, l would advise
you to call On the vice chancellor, and state
your wishes; he may possibly help you"
..Wen, 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: s --
"WeF, Fve seen the Emperor, and had II talk
with HIM. He's real gentleman, can tel
you. WhenI gave him The acorn, he said he
should set great store by it; that no character
;: in ancient or modern history he admired so mucl
as he did Washington; he said he'd plant it il
his palace garden, with his own hand, and h
did it-for | see HIM with my own eyes. H,
e wanted 10 ask.me so much about our schools ant
a railroads. and one thing or other, that he invited
; me to come again and see his wife: for he SAT-
$ she could speak better English than he could
So went yesterday; she's fine knowing VIC
e man, | tell you, and his daug hters are mic
. gals
:; what did the Empress say 10 you?'
= 'Oh, she asked me sight of questions, Dom
! you III nix she thought me servant in Amerik1
y told her poor folks do their own wo'k; bu
Il rich folks had plenty of servants. But theI
> you don't call 'em servants suid she; you cal
'em help Il guess ma'au you've been read
!. ing Mrs. Trollope?' said 1--we have III
: ho,,L ,,,o.r5 o,r eo;, Tho Rnonanor clanne
his hands, and laughed as if he'd kill himself
= = Your right said he your right. We sent Oh
i for an English copy, and she's been reading
N this very morning Then told him all
l. knew about our country, and he was migh:il.
Is pleased. He wanted 10 know how long | ex
pected to stay in these parts. told him ha
sold all the notions | had brought over, and
.e guessed should go back in the same ship.
r. bid 'em good by all around and went about m.
I'd business. A'ni had glorious time2 i ex
or pee, you didn't calculate 10 see me in such
d, rig?' ..zs-z
It mo indeed did not, my lad. You may wei
- consider yourself lucky; for IFS a very uncom
mon thing for crowned heads to treat strange
with so much distincuon.'
le A few days after he called agan, and said,
le guess shall stay spell longer, Pm treated S
" well. T'o,her day q grand officer came TO m
. room and told me the Emperor hpd sent 10 sho,
me all the curiosities; and dressed myself an
. he took rne with him in a mighty big earrings
q. with four horses; and I've been 10 the theale
of and to the museum; and expect Eve seel
at about all there is to be seen in ST. Peersourgh
es what do you think of that Mr.. BALLAST!
y 1t seemed so incredible that poor ungaini
'h lad would be thus louded with attentions, ihu
10 the ambassador scarcely knew what 10 think o
Ia say.
ID In short time this strange vister re-appear
4 II .INall enid ha Al ,,,nalo.,, my mind L