The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-03-17
STORY OF THE RUSSIAN EMPEROR.

Frogere, an actor of one Of the minor thea
ters of the Boulevard, in Paris, had entered |
into an engagement with the manager of the
French Theater at st. Petersburgh, where he |
had the good fortune so greatly to please Paul
] that he soon became distinguished favorite |
of the monarch. An ill-timed boa mot one I
day convinced Frogere how dangerous it was to
speak too freely to the eccentric autocrat. 1t
was at the imperial dinnertabie, when one Of the
guests lauded the present Emperor at the ex-
pense of Peter the Great.
"That is robbing Peter to pay Paul., said
the Emperor turning to his fayorite is it not
SO, Frogere?"
"Certainly, sir" answered the latter. ITO
satisfy Paul we may rob not only Peter the
Great, but also Peter the APOSTLE
And pray why so?'' asked the Gar, quick
ly.
Because said the actor, d Paul in his nm
ger has frequently commanded in the name of
our Saviour, Go and bear the cross through
out the world, more especially in Siberia"
Paul showed anger in his face, and no one
dared to laugh or to be pleased with the actors
reply. A few minutes afterwards the Emperor
rose and dismissed the company
It was in the middle of midnight, when Fro
sere was aroused from his sleep by a loud knock
ing at The door, He jumped from his bed,
opened the door, and saw to his amazement an
officer and a file Of soldiers enter the apartment.
The former produced warrant from the En-
peror, banishing Frogere to Siberia. Wemay
readily imagine the terror Of the Frenchman.
He cried throw himself upon the floor, tore his
hair, and repeatedly exclaimed, What crime
have committed to deserve such punishment? ?"
He received no answer. He begged for n few
hours delay to throw himself at the feet of the
monarch and learn the nature of his guilt. In
vain the officer would allow him only time to
pack up few clothes and linen. Scarcely was
the operation finished when he was surrounded
by the soldiers and carried outside the house,
where a coach was in waiting. He was then
lifted into it---more dead than alivc-while two
soldiers with drawn swords and cooked pistols,
took their seats on each side ofhim. The doors
Of the vehicle were locked, and the officer CIV
ing the signal, the coach rolled awag at full
speed, surrounded by cavalry escort. How
long the first stage lasted Frogere was unable
to tell, as the vehicle vas so thicllv covered
that not the least ray of light could penetrate.
lie was told on entering the coach that me
soldiers had orders to shoot him on The spot
the moment he opened his mouth to put any
questions to them. He consequently observed
strict silence, and suffered a world of pain
The door of the coach was at last opened
it was broad daylight. His eyes, however,
were bandagca, and he was led into misera-
BILE hut, the doors and windows of which were
closed as he entered. When the bandage
was removed he saw by the faint glmmer
of Il rushlght, a dish of coarse food upon
a board before fir11. --Hi luugh he had been
fasting for some time, he could hardly swal-
low a morsel fear, however, induced him to cat,
| for the faces that watched his motions seemed
to portend no good Siberia Siberia that
was the only thought he was to live in that
! terrible land Frogerc gave himself mp to des-
| pair, when the previous officer-by-the-by, an
old acquaintance--entered the room, attended
| by courier. The poor prisoner felt as if he had
not seen that friendly face for years. In the
| Joy of his heart he was about to embrace him
but motion with the hand q stern look res
trained him, while the finger Of the officer pressed
upon his lips imposed silence. He had ilattered
himself that the courier had brought an order
| for his release but he WAS mistaken.
The officer dismissed his guide, and orlcreC
the soldiers to leave the room and wait.outside
Being alone with the prisoner, he said, almos
in whisper. =" Forgere, We must now part.
have accompanied you to the first stage, anc
you will hence be under the inspection Of anoth
CT officer. BE careful not to speak a word,
risk much even in giving this caution but an
yonr friend. Have you any orders for me
Can serve you on my return to the Car Z
Poor Forgerc melted into tears. Instead ofre
plying to the questions he only bewailel hay
ing to undergo punishment for an unknown
crime. Said the officer, /" Don't you then know
what you have done Are you mad, Forgere
Have you forgotten the sarcastic jest you mad
at the Imperial table? 1t has offended the Fin
peror you are punished because there was 8
much truth in it."
"Good heavens!" exclaimed the exile.
/" Hush be silentE whispered the other
"walls have ears But don't waste time lister
/, Forgere am the only one whom you know
hencetorth, during the long journey, will fin
faces wholly unknown to you. The Emperor
you are aware, is immovahle in his resolve
| and inexorable in his wrath. You hnd bette
therefore, be resigned to your fate: you haS
nothing to hope Tell me, then, quickly, whs
| can do for you
Speak for me to his Majesty
" \ OF a word of that. said his friend = as
{ any Thing but that,