The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-25

The April number of Harper's New Month
ly, among other original articles, c,ptains an
interesting one by 7. b. 1hLrpe, under the at
tractive title of"Around the " orld on Skates"
The details make the title strictly correct,
for We have an authentic account OF an enter
prisicg Yankee boy" w Fl. Fu Ter, woo ac-
complished this most remarkable ieat. Tue
Journey from OGes q to ot. Peersburo-ODe
thousand miles-gives very clear idea Vi the
character OF the towns, cOdntry, and Pop Id
ton ot that part OF the oieat empire. Among
other 'hings which will interest the reader is
the singular mildness Of the Russian climate,
which made skating all a opg the ioule al
most as great novelty as it was IL C4l.utIa,
Ceylop, or Surat.
Fuler's first appearance in Russia IS thus
rather humorousiy given:
The o. chestra tiualy appeared In the usral
slow and mel ncioly way, aud a. cordiug 10
programme played the national air Ut Russia;
and the n, in compliment 10 the ".tai," gave
va, kee Doodle" This pleased the audience
very much, aud several OF The eolle in tue
parquette, whom Fuller believed 10 have been
merchants. applauded.
The CURTAIN rose at length on bleak Win
ter iandscat e, and in the bacEsiound was a
Russian hove, over when, by tue aid of one
or two strOn. wires, was streaming the Stars
and Stripes as il held as sqaare as jabe-
tip by a stiff breeze. After The fashion tnat
mas prevailed from time immeuorial at circ s.
es when tie horses enter the ring, Fuller
made his appearance under the cove; OF O
grand crash OF music.
Dressed apparently in the torn and r,isera-
ble garb OF benishted traveller, lar fiom
nome, evidently fatigued and trembling wi b
exhaustion, and finally too week 10 stand on
mis- skates, which he made to suund OH the
stage floor like wooden clogs, he thus came
rom the cottage door, anG cast look towards
heaven, something after the manner oil Enoch
Arden. His knees then gave way, as he sank
10 the floor in the ice and snow There was
mean9 Then be rose on6is Knee, and d'a ~ Jill Ill
gave the Enoch Atpen look, when ,Oung
sirl dressed IN the Black Crook stye, but per-
sOnaiins some very amia lie Russian falry,
foatet from the side-scenes, made very ef-
feciive speach In pantoD ime, poiuted her
3and at The american flag over the desolals
cottage, and then touched Fuller Upon thu
shoulder.
While she was doing this Fuller fastened
several strings to bis dilat idaled garments.
at the moment the fairy touched him tue
mai aSer pulled the strir gs, and he spfans 10
his feet dressed 10 q rich Russian suit of
green, with costly iur Innings, patent leather
boots and iur cap, together with several rich
Jewels sparkling ON the light side OF his
breast, which had been loaned him by hS
accommodating manager.
The next instant Fuller was supposed fun
der the vvily'ng influence of the good iairy
to be making "bee lne' on skates for li, ma
tive land and his sweetheart. Tue surprise
Of the audience at this sudden change wa,
immense, and the mex: instant as he came
careering toward the footights, there came
forth the welcome rounds OF applause that
satisfied him that he would succeed. Fol
lowing up the advantage OF first good im-
press Oh, he went through the act with VI.
Usual satisfaction to hlmsel and when be
disappeared on one leg in a striking attitude,
with hls face to the aud ence, kissing bis
hand, aid the good iairy appeared a.d waved
over him the Russian ta2, such a treme ndous
shout went up that two or three of the poiic.
had suspicious that something serious was the
,uattef. Tho applause continued. and the
Russian Princess, from the Imperial box,
threw bouquet of flowers on 10 he stage.
Fuller stood meanwhile at the siie, the man
agsr bolding the curtain ready to draw It the
moment he should decide to appear before its
obtrudiDg folds.
How Fuller saw the Emperor Of Russia Is
graphically stated. Travelling OF the post
route in the one horse cart OF the couptry,
the second pig.lt OF bis journey he was sud-
denly arrested:
The report at the station was that no trav.
el'er would be allowed to pulsuc his way for
Two or more days. A courier had passel
along, announcing that the Emperor was on
the load, moving toward the Back Sea, and
all the horses we've at his command. The
best oCes land all were bad epoigh) were
stabbed and groomeI Fuller congratulated
himself that he would at least have the salts
faction OF seeing The grand pelsora:e. who,
according b, his friend at Katheiinoff, had
hired him a, great expense 10 come to his
capital. lie hung about the pos station, for
there was no house but the stables aud inn,
and awaited the result. Tue contemplated
arrival OF the Gear had singular effect upon
the people. II appeared as il they envied the
f3ery horses that were 10 drag the carriages in
hs hhSsb @ dipnysd 1s5s Wien ne, and amos,
wholly resist; and he began t, look tor the
Emperors arrival with almost as much III
ct, as did his glor,ous majestys subjects. The
thirJ night, about twelve O'Clock, Fuller heard
a noise In the courtyard, ard sprang 10 the
window. 1t was mooniight-made dim by
passing heavy clouds He aught glimpse
OF dozen tall men on horseback, their sitel
breast plates and splendid uniiprrus balf con-
eeaied under heavy cloak; their helmets
g'is'ened for a moment they gave some ~
reciions in low voice, and dashed on. lho
next moment all the groomea post-hoiSes
were arraug ID In the load. Pre- senty ca
riage dashed up, the horses were instantly
changed; another came along WHO me same
result, until some thirty, an apparently eS4es-
ly a ike. were thus m sterioLsiy despaic .eI.
In one OF these carriages. no outsider knew
which one. was The Emperor Of ali the Ru'slas
pos,lbI, aslerp. 1t was dramatic perform
ance, and impressed upon the minds OF the
simple Russians that "the father" was indeed
a god. The nystery attending the whole
movement inspired Fuler's d mocratic re-
publican soul with a feeling Of awe and rever-
,l,,t bo n Ia It,,I