The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-16
An Acorn becomes n Tree.

When the Russian Grand Duke AlcNls wa
in Boston. visiting the rooms Of the Hlstol1ca
Society. and WIS about to depart, Adnilf'
PosSict. who was with him, took from hi
pocket, as the Boston Traveller reports,
small envelope und handed 1t to Dir. Win
throp. observing that it might perhaps b
thought of sufficient Interest to entltle 1t II
appcar In the Society's cabinet. The en-
yeiope was opened and disclosed three oal
leaves and little twig. An inscription Il
Russian explained that these were from az
oak tree in St. Petersblrgh, which grew from
al acorn planted by the Emperor OF Russia
who received It from George Sumner, who
took 1t from an oak oyerShadowing the toni
of Washington at Mount Vernon. This CIR
cllnlstance may recall to the memory Of few
Of our readers the anccdote which the Late
George Dallas, our Minister ut st. PetelsbErgl
some twenty-five Or thirty years since, USED
to tell of the acorn and its bearer.
Dir. Dallas was called upon, us he related,
by young American, who said that he dc.
sired much to see the Emperor Of Russia, rs
he hud brought tm acorn, the fruit Of q tree
growing by the tomb of Washington. which
he wished to present him. Mr.. Dallas said
that he could not possibly undertake to OBJ
tain for him q private audience from the
Emperor with 80 little occasion for it.
"Well," said the young man, g am deter
mined to see him, ct any rate" "Hale 4
care,' replied MIR. Dallas, " or you may get
yourself into an unpleasant scrape. II you
do, will not undertake to help you out Of
IT." ~ shall see him ut all events" was the
Young mans answer, and lie took his leave.
Shortly afterward Mr.. Dallas met him in
company with nun wearing military
uniform. "Well," said the young man, l
have seen the Emperor Eyes and have
got into difficulty. You are under al.
rest, see; you remember what l
said about helping you out of any
scrape You might get yourself into" on,
you mean that man; why, he Is my officer"
"Your otficerw dyes, he Is the officer
whom the Emperor directed to SO with me
and show me ANYTHING that must like to see
IN St. Petersburgh." On comparing notes
It was found that the young adventurer had
already seen a great deal more Of that city
than Mr.. Dallas had. although for some time
n resident there. The introduction to the
Emperor took place in this manner: The
Young man wrote note to the Emperor &C
Guainting him with the strong desire he had
for private interview, and mentioned his
particular purpose. Soon after this he was
waited on by person who asked him
If he was the American gentleman who
desired to see the Emperor. II am" wa!
the answer. "Come, then, with Inc, an(
your wish shall lie gratitied." The Aneri
clu was conducted into small room il
the palace, the Empcror's cabinet, probably
where sat middle-aged gentleman whc
asked the same question, and being answered
IN the affirmative, said: II ain the En-
peYpr." The conversation proceeded, bu
the Emperor not finding himself oVer-iluen
in English, said to the young man: "Com'
with me and will present you to the En-
press, who speaks English much better thar
~; and taking him into another room intro
duced him to the family circle. The Ameri
can and the Empress were soon engaged II
an animated conversation. You have NJ
servants In America" said the Empress
"Pardon me, we have many" was tn
reply. eyes, but you do not cal
them by that name; you call then
help" "Ah," said the Yankee, shaking
his finger at her imperial M4est!
"you have been reading Mrs. Irouope.'
"So she has" interrupted the emperor
and they all laughed in chorus. Meantim
the acorn was not forgotten, but duly aellV
cred. The young man was afterWalu allowed
free access to the imperial family circle, wa
provided with an intelligent guide In mill
tary uniform, who was to show him every
thing worth seeing In St. Petersburgh, ant
was afterward sent at the imperial expense Il
travel BY post through the empire whereye
his curiosity might lead him. The acorn, i
seems, was duly planted, and germinated ant
became tree. In token Of the truth Of this
II we may receive the words OF the Boston
Ttareller as authentic, some leaves and LII
tie twig from il IRE deposited in the cabine
OF the Boston Historical Society. Nes1 Ior
Post