Grass Valley telegraph., 1854-08-03
- Turn with an Imperial,

OR HOW OBTAINED NY COMMISSION.
Just thirty years ago, arrived at st. Pc
tersburgh, with the intention Of establishing
myself as a fencing master i'll that cap,tal.
Introduction from distinguished individuals
of my own country enabled me to make a
friend Of Count Alexis w, and that noble
man Interested himself greatly in my success.
Not content with procuring me several pu-
pills. he urged me TO petition the Emperor for
the valuable and honorable appointment OF
fencing master to a reg ment; and towards
that Cld, gave me letter OF recOmmGUua-
t.ol to an aid camp Of the CZaro itsch
Constantine, who was then at the Castle of
Strclna, near st. Pctersburgh.
The morning after. hired droschki, and
set out for Strelna. armed with my creden-
tials. | reached the convent of St. Setgius,
the Saint most venerated in Russia after ST.
Alexander Nieu>ki. A few minutes after
wards | arrived at the Castle and was soon
ushered into the apartments of the Emperor S
brother. In one of these | discovered him
standing with his back to large fire. He
was tapping his boot with his ridng-Wh p,
dist;Hgu shed by the most forbidden counte-
nance ever beheld The undried splashes of
mud on his pantaloons indicated that he had
but recently returned from riding or re-
view. At tab near him was seated Gen.
Rcda. pen in hand. and apparently writing
under the Princes dictation.
The door had scarcely closed when the
Czarowitsch, fixing me with his piercing eyes,
abruptly inquired
What countryman?"
English, your highness."
"Age?"
''oix-aadTwenty."
! "Name?"
&C.
"You want to be fencing master to regi-
ment ?'
May it please your highness, it is the
object of my ambition"
Are you first rate swordsman?"
Il have fenced in public several times since
my arrival in Petersburgh, and your highness
can easily ascertain the opinion Of those who
we're present,
Il have heard of you. but you had only
second rate fencers to contend WITH
(which gave them just claim upon my for
bearance, your highness."
'Forbearance !" be repeated, with flashing
eye, and scornful curve of the lips; "but if
less considerate, what then ?"
IL should have buttoned them ten times for
every twice that they touched me-"
''Ha and could you do that with me %
THAT would depend on how your imperial
highness might wish to be treated. 1f'as a
prince. it is probable your highness would
touch me ten times. and be touched twice.
But if yonr highness desired to be treated
like any other person. the ten hits would be
achieved by me and the two by your high
ness"
"Lubenski!'' p roared the Czarowitsch rub
bing his hands '.Lubenski! bring the toils &!
We shall see sir Braggadocia"
''Is it possible your highness would conde-
scend'--
My highness orders you to touch me ten
times, if you can. Do you want to back al
ready Now, take this foil and mask.
! Guard!'
is it your highness' absolute commando"
Yes! yesr'
| Il am ready"
Ten times!" repeated the Prince, as he
attacked me-"ten times, mind you! less
won't do, Hal hal"
Notwithstanding this encouragement. |
kept merely on the defensive contenting my
self with parrying his thrusts without return
ing them.
''Now then, cried he angrily. '.What are
you about? You are playing the fool with
me- Why don't you thrust %
"Your highness! the respect''-
"Confound your respect, sirl Thrust
thrust"