Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-03-04
THE EMPEROR AND YANKEE.

= The following amusing occurrence is quote
f by Frederika Bremen, in her late work on Anne
rIca, rs from the letters of Mrs. Child, and give
graphic Illustration of prominent feature
American character. The adventurous yout
> alluded to was the brother of the Hon. Charlie
: Summer, one Of the present Senators in Con
gress from Massachusetts. Instead, however
OF coming Immediately 10 this country, as th
story intimates, he pursued his travels in tn
, East, and was returning home in the i'll. fatet
:, brig Elizabeth, with Margaret Fuller Ossol
and with her pershed with the wreck of tina
vessel, off the coast Of Long Island The dat.
of the following scenes We're about 1897, wher
the Hon. George NJ. Dallas, since Vice Presi
dent, was our Minister to the Court of Russia
One day lad, apparently about l9. presen
ted himself before our ambassador at St. Pc,
tersburg. He was pure specimen of the ge.
nus fankee-with sleeves too short for his
bony arms, trowsers half way up to his knees
and hands playing with pennies and ten penny
nails in his pockets. He introduced himself by
saying
"lve just come out here to trade, with few
Yankee notions, and want to get sight OF
the Emperor"
"Why do you wish to see him?"
"lve brought him present all the wav from
Amerika. l respect him considerable, and
want to get at him, to give it to him with my
own hands,
Mr. Dallas smiled as he answered, ut is such
a common thing, my lad, to make crowned
heads present, expecting something hand.
some in return, that attn afraid the Emperor
will only consider this Yankee trick. What
have you brought"
IAN acorn"
"An acorn! What under the sun induced
you to bring the Emperor of Russia an acorn!"
''Why, just before sailed, mother and |
| went TO Washington to See about pension;
| and when we was there, we thought we'd just
| step over to Mount Vernon. picked up this
, acorn there, and thought to myself Id bring
it to the Emperor. Think, says |, he must have
heard a considerable deal about 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 stran.
ger to approach the Emperor, and am afraid
he will take no notice Of your present. You
had better keep it,"
II tell you want to have talk with him. l
expect | can tell blm a thing or two about
Amerika. Iguess he'd like mighty we'll to hear
about our railroads. and our free schools, and
what big swell our steamers cut And when
he hears how our people are getting on, maybe
it will put him up to doing something The
long and short ont is, shan't be easy till get
talk with the Emperor; and l should like to
see his wife and children. want to see how
such folks bring up their children"
"Well, sir, since you are determined upon it,
will do what can for you; but you must ex-
pect to be disappointed. Though it will be
rather an unusual proceeding. 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. l will call
again and let you know how get on"
In two or three days he called again, and
said-"Well I've seen the Emperor and had
talk with him. He's a real gentleman, tell
you. When give him the acorn he said he
should set great store on 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 hand, and he did it-for saw him
with my own eyes. He wanted to ask me so
much about our schools and railroads, and |
one thing or another, that he invited me to
come a San and see his daughters, for he said |
that hisVwife could speak better English than
he could. So | went again Yesterday; and
shes fac knowing woman, Tell you, and her
daughters are nice gals"
"What did the Empress say to your
"Oh, she asked me sight of questions
Don't you think, she thought we had no SER
wants in America. told her poor folks did
their own work, but rich folks had plenty of
servants. But, then you don't call 'em SER
rant said she, you call 'em help Iguess,
nam, you've been reading Mrs. Troloppe,
'aysl. We had that are book aboard our ship.
The Emperor clapped his hands, and laughed
Is if he'd kill himself. you're right, SIR said
le, you're right We sent for an English
'opy, and she has been reading itthis morn
ng." Then told all knew abont our coun-
ry, and he was mighty pleased. He wanted
o know how long expected to stay in these
'arts. ] told him I'd sold all the notions I'd
'rought over, and guessed should 90 back in
he same ship. l bid 'em good bye, all around,
nd went about my business Amt had a
,Iorious time! ! expect yon didn't calculate TO
ee me run such rig"
mo, indeed did not, my lad You may
cry we'll consider yourself lucky, for it's a
cry uncommon thing for crowned head to
reat a stranger with such distinction" |.
A few days after he called again, and said, ,
| guess shall stay here a spell longer, I'm
reated so well. The other day grand off,
er came 10 my room, and told me that the En- {
ress had sent him to show me all the Curl
sites; and dressed myself, and he took me .
ITO mighty fine carriage, with four horses;
nd I've been to the theatre and the museum; ,
nd / expect have seen about all there is to /
g seen in St. Petersburg. What doyou think
f that, Mr.. Dallas?'
1t seemed so incredible that apoor. ungainly
ankee lad should thus be loaded with atten. {
ons, that the Ambassador scarcely knew
hist to think or say.
In short time bis visitor re.appeared. Il
"WeII," said he, u made up my mind to 20 {
ONE, to thank the Emperor and bid him good {
ye. Thought that couldn't do less, he'd
cen so civil. Says he, lis there anything you'd
ke to see before you 60 back 10 Amerika!' 1le
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