The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-09-30
to sit under the mantle-piece, to enjoy the
luxury Of a cigar in the imperial palace. =

to sit under the mantle-piece, to epjcy the
luxury Of q cigar in the imperial palace. =
TIE RULING PASSION. ~ ys--
The character, the conduct, the whole poll.
tiqs, Of tie b'ppefor Nicholas may be en-
peror Nicholas Nay hs smh!o.alied in the word
pride, a pride ineommensurable. a pride such
Is neither Louis XIV, Henry vii nor sols:.
man the Magniicent-these three Grexne9
representative Of capital sins-could ever
equal. The idea of humiliation would leave
him smiling, SO entirely he believed such an
event impossible. It may BE- truly said that
had to suffer killed him. '''7 i ~ ~ -
This pride in him passes al bounds, and
schahabam. One day, one of his aides-ds:.
camp came to him very much excited,
and throwing himself at his feet: *
grant me a favor" 90 a. -
"Speak."
"Rtrmit me to fight 4 duel"
"Never = replied the Emperor.
Nich9llass bad q horror Of duels. IL hia
eyes all blood Vas criminally shed in Russiss
that was not for the country or in his ser e.
VICE, and he punished the guilty in this 70.
spect most severely. =. -
for me to fight" '''''''' = -. -
"What do you say 7"
II have been struck in the face, 'sie'. z
...Ah!" said the Emperor, contracting his
broys, sBgt you kneN eann9t permit {
duel. Yen HfAst c9me with me"
And taking him BY the arm, he conducted
him before the assembled court, and, in pres-
s.Go, no now. said Hh e,' and T. resume esq your
tranquility; the afront is washed OUT Vi u
During the war ofthe Crimea, and especially
in the first part of if, Nicholas, Was very rest
less, waited every day for news from the south.
Each one tried his best to coacA the bad
turn affairs had taken. But after the battle
Of Alma, the truth had to be confessed A
courier, Colonel A., was despatched to him
in great haste. He received orders to repair.
Immediately to the Czar. 80
WELL what news?" said the emperor 10
him brasquely, giving hing scarcely time q
snEsI q faalal The aaeHlstonsd faaIHs!isiss
etiquette.
'The battle has been fought sire.'"
Finished" said the emperor with an eme.4
ton that eaRsed his usually firm voice to treH
bic.
Alas-!,
"You say" '.tr aslgsal
Fortune 'e be-, failed Tiled g gs,
owe are
eve are beaten, sire"
The emperor arose from his seat sl. 'iis
"It is impossible" said he, in quick map:
ner. 4,,a,-. 80 -.
"The RUSSIAN army baag s taken fight"
"Fou liar cried Eicholas With : frightful
explosion E's: Of q anger: II
"You lie. Ny soldiers never Ay." =.
"'Sire, have told you the truth
"You lie, | say, you lie" a#i 77n 4
And, his eyes Bea,n,,in1g with anger, his lip
eontraetGJ, bis hand raised he threw himself
on the military courier and tore off his epau.
lettcs. te' lla''sI r''1a Q
$50! You are now only soldier" 4
The unhappy colonel, pale with shame,
gmal!othsrea his fags and thetsars that roso s.
his eyes, went out. his soul in despair. BHt
hardly had he REACHED the staircase, when 10 II
heard the VOICE IF he Emperor begging ii
return. He retTaced his steps, and Nicholas. ),
returning to meet him, embraced him ardent.
ly, begged pardon for his brutality, and Of.
fsrsd for he asasgtaa4ce the post 9! IF aide-as:
camp. ,'..,55.' 'N.
.''May your Majesty hold me excused.s e.
piled the poor officer; "for, in taking off my L
spaqlsttes, you hays deprived me 9!f ny hh9ea ia
or. | leave them in YOUR hands with |hy dIi- &
missal."
"You are right" replied Nicholas ut is
NOT in power to repair the offence of my
hasty action. All! we are both unhappy,
and am M van44uissAllssaq va, aamplstsly VEN:
aqH4isFhedH .as
And Xalking up and down with an agita- al
ted step, the subdued lion in his cage, his
heart bleeding with the YoAnd givsH lii
pride: 80 -. -,
:aGo, leave ny empire" continued he.
I'll turning t9 C}a9llfaael A., and pardon me:
Ne Mpst pot meet again. Both Of rs would
suffer too much in each others presence. -