Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-03-01
THE EMPEROR AND YANKEE.

The following amusing occurrence Is quoted
by Fredrka Bremen, in her late work on Ameri-
ca, as from the letters of Mrs. Child, and gives
a graphic illustration of a prominent feature in
American character:
One day lad, apparently about nineteen, pre-
sented himself before our ambassador at st. Pc
tersburg. He was a pure specimen of the genus
Yankee, with sleeves too short for his bony
arms, trousers half way up to his knees, and
hands playing with pennies and ten penny nails
in his pockets. He introduced himself by say
ing:.
I've 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?"
"Ive brought him present all the way from
Amerka. respect him considerable, and want
to get at him, TO give it to him with my own
hands,"
The ambassador smiled as he answered: 1t
is such common thing, my lad, to make crown
ed heads present, expecting something hand
some in return, that ] am afraid the emperor
will only consider this Yankee trick. What
have you brought?"
can acorn"
can 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 sec about a 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 I'd bring it to the
emperor. Think, says |, he must have heard q
considerable deal about our General Washing
ton, 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 stranger
to approach the emperor, and am afraid he will
take no notice of your present. You had better
keep it."
81 tell you | want to have talk with him.
expect can tell him thing or two about Amer
ika. guess he'd like mighty well to hear about
our railroads and our free schools, and what q
big swell our steamers cut. And when he hears
how our people are getting on, may be it will
put him up TO doing something The long and
short ont is l shant be easy till get a talk
with the emperor; and | should like to see his
wife and children. Iwant 10 seehow such folks
bring up their children"
"Wel, sir, since you are determined upon it,
| will do what can for you; but you must en-
pect to be disappointed. Though it will be rath-
er an unusual proceeding, would advise you
to call on the vce-chancellor and state your
wishes. He may possibly assist you"
"Well, that's all | want of you. will call
again and let you know how get on"
In two or three days be called again, and said
swell, I've seen the emperor, and had talk
with him. He's a real gentleman, tell YOU
When gave him the acorn, he said he should
set a great store on it; that there was no char.
acter in ancient or modern history he admired
so much as he did our Washington. lie 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 again and see his
daughters; for he said his wife could speak bet
ter English than he could. So / went again yes
terday and she's fine knowing woman, tel
you, and her daughters are nice gals
"What did the empress say to you z"
"Oh she asked me a sight o questions. DOM
you think, she thought we had no servants ir
Amerika. / told her poor folks did their own
work, but rich folks had plenty of servants
But then, you don't call 'em servants said she
you call 'em help guess ma'am, you've
been reading Mrs. Trollope, says |. We hat
that are book aboard our ship. The emperor
clapped his hands, and laughed as if he'd xii
himself. You're right SIR said he, you're
right. We sent for an English copy, and sh,
has been reading it this very morning. Then
told all. knew about our country, and he wa
mighty pleased. He wanted TO know how Ions
| expected to stay in these parts. Itold him II
sold all the notions I'd brought over, and guess
cd should 60 back in the same ship. bid eu
goodbye all around, and went about my bust
ness. Amt had a glorious time! expec
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