Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-04-12
Anecdote of Nicholas.

The New York Eveaiag Post gives the
following, on the authority of the wife of an
English gentleman
"irhe Emperor is very fond of taking his
children with him, and literally going as you
call it, shopping" In this way he will, I'M
attended, visit jewelers. stores, toy-shops,
picture galleries and similar places, especially
where French and English goods are exposed
for sale He does not wish for, and would
instantly repel any recognition, but he is very
well aware that he Is known, and the public
of st. Petersburg are also conscious that he
knows he is recognized, but it is silently and
respectfully. One day a gentleman, leading
little boy by the hand along the sidewalk of
a crowded thoroughfare, carried in the other
hand some toys he had Just selected and
bought for the little fellow, or for other chill
dren at home. Perhaps they moved on rather
iesurely, or appropriated more than their con-
vcnient share of the pavement however this
might be, another gentleman, in the undress
uniform of some military division, rushed
most unceremOniously past him. He was ev
identity in a most impolite hurry, and in stri-
wing to pass, struck against the little boy,
detached him from the light grasp of his faith
er's hand, and Frustrated the child in the gut
ter Not stopping to apologize, or even to
assist in his extrication, he merely turned a
deprecating 'forgive-me' so look upon the
gentleman, and kept on his hurried run at the
top of his wind and speed.
"The Emperor-for it was no other than
he, and the gentleman knew livery leisurely
lifted his son from the mud he had noticed
the strangers uniform or dress sufficiently for
the purpose of inquiry, aud, arriving at the
Winter Palace, he sent for the general of the
division, and somewhat angrily directed that
an attempt should be made to identify the
party. The general told his Imperial Majesty
that he already knew Of the circumstance ;
that certain officer (naming him) had only
an hour ago waited on him and delivered up
his sword, pending his Majesty's disposal of
/ it, explaining the matter thus, namely, that at
the moment that he was Fastening to fetch an
English physician to his wife, who, owing b.
some unforeseen accident in labor, was thought
to be dying. The danger was happily avert
ed, partly perhaps, by his promptitude Both
child and mother were safe, and satisfied that
it was so, he had taken the earliest moment
for submitting his sword and person to the
pleasure of the Emperor.
Nicholas heard the relation thoughtfully,
and said As certain if this be true; if in
the slightest degree false, let falsehood be told
me at peril or words to that effect, signify
ing that he did not wish the effect of any APP
peal to him TO be heightened by extraneous
and unthoughtful establishment.
cater few days the general or command
ant q forget which) reported to the Emperor
that the account which had been given of the
transaction was literally correct TO which
the Emperor replied: 81 am glad my soldiers
make good husbands: see that am informed
on what day the infant is to be christened.'
l don't know whether l have got the exact
word, but it was the tantamount ceremony Of
English baptism or admission into the church
: "Tell that officer intended TO be present. and
/ shall bring with me the Empress and my
family"
"And so he did, and joined in what to a
Russ, is the scene of greater rejoicing thar
even a marriage feast. And there and then
Nicholas Emperor of Russia, gave to soldier
hardly remove from the ranks, his sword
again, drank to the health of the body, and
left behind him hearts burning to manifes
their loyalty by their self-devotion and won,
dering at the imperial condescension."