Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-01-10
A Banker In Trouble.

A rich foreigner, named Sutherland, natural
lied in Russia, was banker to the court, and in
high favor with the Empress. He was reused
one morning by the information that his house
was surrounded with guards, and that ReIiew,
the Minister of Police, desired 10 speak with
him. This person entering, without further
ceremony, at once announced his errand.
Mr.. Sutherland, said he, i am charged by
my gracious sovereign with the execution of a
sentence, the severity of which both astonishes
and grieves me; and | am ignorant as to how
you can have so far excited the resentment of
her Majesty
1 am as much in the dark as YOURSELF replied
the banker. But what are your orders?
4 have not courage to tell YOU said ReIiew.
Have | lost the confidence of the Empress I?
inquired the banker,
If that were all you would not see me trou~
bIed,' said ReIiew. Confidence may return
position may be restored
Am | TO be sent back to my own country.
or, good heavens cried the banker, trembling,
does the Empress think of baniohiDg me to
Siberia?
ALAS you might some day return said Re-
LEW.
Am l to be knouted? inquired the agitated
banker.
This punishment is fearful said Reliew,
'but it does not kill
Is my life, then, in peril 2 exclaimed the
banker. But | cannot believe that; for the
Empress, usually so mild, SO gentle, spoke to
me so kindly only two days since-'tis impos-
sible For heavens sake let me know the
worst. Anything is better than this suspense
well them said Reliew, in a melancholy
tone, my gracious mistress has ordered me to
have you stuffed
'StufedF cried The banker, horrified.
Yes, stuffed with straw continued Reliew.
Sutherland looked fxedly at the Minister of
Police an instant, aud then exclaimed. Sir,
either you have lost your reason or the En-
press is not in her right senses! Surely you
did OF receive such a command without en-
deavoring at east to point out its unreasona-
bleness-its barbarily."
Alas my unfortunate friend, / did that which
under ordinary circumstances, l should not
dare attempt said Reliew$I manifested my
grief my CONSERVATION even hazarded a
that her imperial majesty, in an
irrltated tone, babe me leave her presence, and
see her commands obeyed at once, adding these
which are still ringing in my ears, Go.
and forget not that it is your duty to acquil
? 'At w I'm q hibLL III Al VI any Il OOlSAI
which ] may deign to trust YOU
1t would be impossible to depict the horror,
the despair of the unhappy banker. After
till the first burst Of grief was over,
ReIiew Informed him that he would be allowed
a quarter of an hour TO settle his worldly af-
fairs. Sutherland wept, and prayed and en-.
treated the minister of police to take a petition
from him to the Empress Overcome by his
~, nptio oti0nS ft,n MAGISTRATE .anpeopIo1 tn he
his messenger, and took charge of the missive;
but afraid 10 return TO the Palace, he hastily
himself at the residence of Earl
Bruce, the English Ambassador, and explained
he affair to him. The Ambassador, very natu.
ally, supposed the Minister of Police had be-
come insane, but bidding him follow, he hur-
to the Palace. Introduced into the i'm
oerial presence, he told his story with as little
delay as possible.
'Mereiful heayen.' exclaimed Catherine, on
this strange recital, what q dreadful
!! ReIiew must have lost his wits
Run quickly, my lord, | beg, and desire that
mailman TO relieve my poor bunker of his |
yroupdless fears, and to set him at liberty im>
nediately.'
The Earl left the room to do as her majesty
equested, and on his return found Catherine
aughing immoderately. i see now, said she,
the cause of this incoDceiyabIy absurd blunder,
had for some years a little dog, to which
vas much attached. | called him Sutherland, |
that was the name of the gentleman
Who presented him to ME. This dog had just
lied, and ! gave Reliew orders to have him
tuffed; but as he for some time hesitated, | be-
angry, supposing that, from a foolish ex-
ess Of pride, he thought this commission be
leath his dignity. That added Catherine, in
onclusion, is The solution of this ridiculous
nigma.'
1The silent eye is often a more powerful
onnnerer than the noisy tAnrna-