Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-03-11
The Emperor and Yankee.

The Emperor and Yankee.
The following amusing occurrence is
quoted by Frederika Bremen, in her late
work on America. as from the letters of Mrs
Child, and gives graphic illustration of a
prominent feature in American character
The adventurous youth allu led to was the
brother of the Hon. Charles Summer, one OF
the present Senators in Congress from Mas.
sachusetts. Instead, however, Of coming
Immediately to this country, as the story
intimates he pursued his travels in the East
and was returning home in the Inflated
brig Elizabeth, with Margaret Fuller Ossoli
and with her persisted with the wreck Of
that vessel, off the coast of Long Island.
The date of the following scenes were about
1887, when the Hon. George M. Dallas,
SINCE Vice President, was our Minister to
the Court of Russia
| One day lad, apparently about 19, pres
ented himself before our ambassador at St.
Petersburg. He was pure specimen of
the genus Yankee-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
"Pve just come out here to trade, with a
few Yankee notions, and want to get a
sight of the Emperor"
| "Why do you wish to see him"
| "Pve brought him a present all the way
from America. 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
crowned heads present, expecting some
thing handsome in return, that am afraid
the Emperor will only consider this YAM
kee trick. What have you BROUGHT"
Gan acorn"
Gan 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
I'd bring it to the Emperor Think. says I,
he must have heard considerable deal
about our General Washington: and expec,
he must admire our institutions. So now
you see I've brought it, and want to get at
him."
any lad, it's not an easy matter for
stranger TO approach the Emperor. and
am afraid he will take 10 notice of your
present You had better keep it,"
al tell you I want 10 have talk with
him. expect can tell him thing or two
about America guess 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. may be 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 should like 10 see his wife
and children. want to see how such folks
bring up their children"
swell, sir, since You are determined upon
it, will do what can for you: bu, you
must expect to be disappointed Though it
will be rather an unusual proceeding, 1
would advise you to call on the Vice Chan
possibly assist youa'
call again and let you know how get on"
In two or three days he called again, and
said-"Well Pve seen the Emperor, and
man, tell yon. When l give him the
acorn he said he should set a great store on
it; that there was no character in ancient or
did our Washington. He said he'd plant it
he did it-for saw him with my own eyes
schools and railroads. and one thing or an
other. that he invited me to come again and
see his daughters, for he said that his wife
could speak better English than he could.
So went again yesterday; and she's fine
l. / Toll lo,,
tiers are nice gals"
"What did the Empress say to you?'
ooh, she asked me sight Of questions.
Don't you think, she thought we had no
servants in America told her poor folks
did their own work. but rich folks had plen-
ty of servants. But, then you don't call
'em servants said she, you call 'em help
I guess, mann, you've been reading Mrs.
Troloppe, says I. We had that are book
aboard our ship The Emperor clapped his
hands, and laughed as if he'd kill himself
You're right, sir,' said he, you're right
We sent for an English copy, and she has
been reading it this morning. Then told
all knew abont our country, and he was
mighty pleased. He wanted to know how
long expected to stay in these parts. I
told him I'd sold all the notions I'd brought
over, and guessed should go back in the
same ship. I bid 'em goodbye, all around,
and went about my business. Amt had
glorious timea expect you didn't calcu-
late 10 see me run such rig.'
"No, indeed did not my lad. You may
very we'll consider yourself lucky, for it's
very uncommon thing for crowned head
to treat stranger with such distinction"
A few days after he called again, and
said, II guess I shall stay here spell
longer, I'm treated so well. The other day
= grand officer came TO my room, and told
me that the Empress had sent him to show
me all the curiosities; and dressed myself,
and he took me into mighty fine carriage,
with four horses; and I've been to the thea
tire and the museum and expect have
seen about all there Is to be seen in St.
Petersburg. What do you think Of that Mr..
Dallas ~
II seemed 50 incredible that a poor, un-
calmly Yankee Id should thus be loaded
with attentions, that the ambassador scarce
ly knew what to think or say.
In short time his visitor re-appeared
"Well," said he, I" made up my mind to |
60 home, to thank the Emperor and bid him |
goodbye. thought that couldn't do less,
he'd been 90 civil. Says he. lis there any
thing you'd like to see before you 60 back 10
A Il L.