Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-11-17
lQlOrtester Qailp Spp.


Que OF Tue most prominent actors In the muir
der OF Peter Ill, OF Russia. But treachcrous
as was that deed, it loses half its blackness
when compared with another committed by
him at the instigalon OF Catarine Ii, widow
and successor to the murdered mUnach.
Catharine moi being a native Russian prin.
cess, was most DESTROYS OF removing from her
path all who might be supposed likely to dis
turb the security OF her government and IN
order to effect her purpose, i'll one instant She
and her associate OrluH, exercised degree of
hendish ingenuity almost unparalleled IN his
tory. The unfortunate girl who excited the
jealousy OF Catharuc was IL Russian princess
and granddaughter to Peter the Gl eat. Eliz-
abeth III, his daughter, contracted II private
marriage with Count Alexey Razumofis ky,
and three children, two sons and daughter,
were the issue OF this union. Ot the sons, it
Is only necessary to say that one was acciden-
tally killed, and the OTHER not Judged OF suffi-
cient political importance to excite either iea-
ousy or suspicion. But it is otherwise with
the young Princess Varranabott the subject of
our story.
The ambitious designs of the Empress Cath
arine with regard to Poland excited the indiy.
nation OF the Polish mobiles, and one of thet e,
the Count RadZlvil, conceived the design OF
using this young native princess as an inStru-
ment in suppanling her. For this purpose,
by dint OF bibing her female attendants, he
secretly removed her to Poland, and thence to
Italy Many attempts were made to induce
Radzivi TO place the young princess in the
power OF Catharine and though reduced to
poverty by the confiscation of his estates, the
promi OF their restoration, and the offer OF
the most costly brides, failed in inducing him
to yield. No effect being produced by such
proposals, the empress had recourse to threats.
Ny steriOus communications were conveyed to
the Polish count, intimating that ruin and
misery impended over the Princess Tarrana-
kOff which could be avoided only by his ceas.
ing correspondence with her. Whatever am
bilious designs might have acuatCd Radzivi,
he was most anxious for the safety of the un-
fortunate gil. What could he do ? Shorn of
his estates and dignities, and in a foreign land,
how was lie to protect her from powerful
empress and most INSCRIPTIONS woman I'M
happily, he yielded to these covert menaces,
and took a final leave OF the princess, having
first eXacted pledge from the Russian gov
eminent that she should remain unmoested.
This separation effected, the most difficult
part OF Catharlne's work was completed, and
by the aid of the Count AleXey Orloff and
one of his infamous associates, the rest became
easy. Though the murderer of her husband,
Count Alexey retained the favor of his im.
peria mistress doubtless, she found him a
most useful tool in accomplishing other dark
deeds, though a touler crime than the one com
mltted on this hapless prince could hardly dis
grace human nature. When first resident at
Rome, the granddaughter OF Peter the Great
was amply supplied with everything BETTING
her rank but at the time Orlotf' came thither
she was almost in want, and occupying poor
lodging in humble quarter Of the city
Judge OF her surprise when an elegant attired
officer called upon her 10 offer his services.
Though he was to all appearance wealthy, and
her situation one OF actual indulgence, he paid
her the same respect us though she had been
seated on the imperial throne. When invited
to sit in her presence, he respectfully declined
"Misiortune," said he cannot alter your
claims to our respect. Can l, when you are
before me, forget that the grand daughter of
the ilustriOuS Gar Peter the Great is entitled
to all the homage can offer Ii is for me,
because you are in Il foreign land TO forget
that to you, and not to the tyrannica foreign
or who occupies it, belongs the imperial throne
OF Russia have not the honor to be your
countryman, but believe me, princess, am
not the less devoted to your service, in which
l would freely lay down my life
The unfortunate princess llsteued with de-
light and thanktulneSs to this address. 1t was
long since such respectful language had greet
ed her ears, and the departure OF Radzivill had
almost reduced her to despair. She answered
this t1attering speech in terms which proved
how much pleasure it had given her, and de
sired to know to whom she was indebted
for this soicitude respecting her welfare.
To this her visitor replied THAT his
name was OF little moment, since he was
only the ambassador sent by some OF her most
influential countrymen, whose hearts bltd TO
think that she, the descendant of one so doubly
illustrOus as the Car Peter the Great had
proved himself to be, should be exposed to lie
9lect and Indulgence in a foreign land. The
princess being naturally curious to know the
names OF those whose interest was so deeply
excited in her behalf, again pressed her visitor
for information ON this point, but he still retus-
ed 10 crafty her curiosity. He, however,
begged permission to present one who would
exp ain all /; and having obtained it, Withdrew
as from the presence Of a sovereign prince
having first knelt to kiss her hand.
The visitor who thus imposed ON the Gre
dulity of the Princess Taranakoff was in
deed employed by one OF her countrymen he
being the spy and associate OF Count Alexey
Orlotf. The uniform in which he appeared
was OF course assumed for the occasion, as he
was in reality man OF most infamous charac-
ter a NeapOlitan by birth, and CHOSEN as his
tool by the count because he had already com
mitted crimes sufficient to prove that he would
enter unscrupulously into the designs of that
nobleman. RIbas, for that was his name, did
not at once introduce Orlotf to the presence of
his intended victim; he repeated his visit and
finding that she was in actual need, induced
her to make use of his purse, and by the re-
spect he paid her, completely won her conf,
dence.
Now was Orloffs time. When informed
that the schemes OF his emissary had proved
successful and the princess was prepared to
listen to and believe whatever he might ad-
vance, the principal tragedian, as we may call
him, appeared ON the stage.
Better skilled in the ways of court than
was his emissary, the difference of the latter
sank into insignilicance when compared with
that of his more polished employer; and SO
well did the latter play his part that the prin.
cess became devOtedly attached to the man
whom she believed to be u model of all that
was noble, good, and disnterested. In short
time, Orlotf had cause Tor exultation in the
success of his plan for the princess readily
consented TO be his wife. A sham marriage
completed the deception, and was followed ON
the part of the princess by a bref period OF
unclouded happiness. Never for a single no.
ment did she suspect the imposition that had
been practiced upon her, but built with the
most perfect faith upon the affection and sim
cerity OF the man she believed to be her hus
band.
One day he entered her presence, with an
air OF lhe greatest concern, and on her inquir
ing the reason Of his sadness, Orloff replied /:
"Ah, dearest may well look sorrowiul, since
must leave you-you whom all here call the
good and the beautiful. But who can tell how
good or how beautiful you are in my eyes
You, the granddaughter of one who made
himself as illustrious by his deeds as by his
hig1 station, yet deigned to bestow on me tile
treasure OF your love"
"Why speak of this, Alexev ~ soi1 the
princess. "My birth mattered littlp when vou