Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-01-28
HISTORY OF AN o
From the New York Evsninz Post

From the New YORK Evening Post.l
When the Russian Grand Duke
Alexis was In Boston. visiting the
rooms Of the Historical Society, and
was about to depart, Admir- Porter,
who was with him, took from mis-
pocket, as the Boston Traveller re-
ports, a small envelope and handed IL
to Mr.. Winthrop, observing that it
might, perhaps, be thought Of sun-
Gent interest to entitle it TO appear In
the s~ociety's cabinet. The envelope
was opened and disclosed three oak
leaves and q little tWig. An inscrip-
ton in Russian explained that these
were from an oak tree In st. Peters
burg, which grew from an acorn
planted by the Emperor Of Russia,
who receivedSt from George Sumner,
who took il from an oak OVefshadOW-
ing the tomb Of Washington at Mount
Vernon. This circumstance may re-
Call to the memory Of q few Of our
readers the aneedOte which the late
George N. Dallas, our minister at St
Petersburg some twenty-five or thirty
years since, used to tell Of the acorn
and its bearer.
Mr.. Dallas was called upon, as he
related, by a young American, who
said hat he desired much 70 see the
EmperorOf Russia, as he had brought
an acorn, the fruit of q tree growing
by the tomb Of Washington, which
he wished to present him. Nj. Dali
Las said that he could not possibly I'M
dertake TO obtain for him 8 private
audience from the Emperor with so
little occasion for il. "WelL," said
the young man, ST am determined to
see MIN at any rate" Shave q care,D
replied Mr.. Dallas, for you may get
yourself into an unpleasant scrape. II
you do, l will not undertake to help
you out Of it." 81 shall see him at al
events" was the young mans answer,
as ne took his leave. Shortly AFTER
ward Mr.. Dallas met HMM company
with a nan wearing a military uni
form. "Well," said the young man,
81 have seen the Emperor" "Yes.
and have got into dif1culty; you are
under arrest / see; you remember
what I said about helping you out
of sny scrape you might get yourself
into" "Oh, you mean that man:
why, he is my officer" Your off,
eerI" "Yes; he Is tbs officer whom
the Emperor directed to go with me
and show me anything I might like
to see in st. Petersburg" On COM
pairing notes, it was found that the
young adventurer had already seen
more OF that city than Mr.. Dallas had,
although for some time a resident
there. The introduction TO the EN-
perOr took place in this manner: The I
young man wrote a note to the En-
perOr, aequainting him with the strong
desire he had for 8 private interview, |
and mentioned his particular purpose.
Soon after this he was waited on BY a
person who asked him II he was the
American gentleman who desired to
see the Emperor. 81 ann was
the answer. Come, then, with
me, and your wish shall be graft
ied.n The American was conducted
into a small room in the palace, the
EmperOr's cabinet, probably, where
lat a middle aged gentleman who
isked the same question, and being
answered in the Affirmative said, ST
I'M the Emperor" The conversation
proceeded, but the Emperor not find
ng himself O%YeE1uenF in English,
aid to the young man, "Come with
ne and l will present you to the EN-
press, who speaks English much bet
er than L" and taking him into an
,ther room introduced him to the
circle. The American and the
Empress were soon engaged in an
conversation "YOu have
servants in America" Pardon
ne; we have many" was the reply.
Yes; but you do not call them by
hat name; you call them help.b
ALL" said the Yankee, shaking
lis finger at her Imperial Majesty,
you have been reading Mrs. Troll
Ope." so she has," interrupt
d the Emperor, and they all
in chorus. Meantime the
corn was not forgotten, bat duly de-
-vered; the young man was after
7ard allowed free access to the impe-
ial circle, was provided with an intel
gent guide In q military uniform. |
mo was to show him everything
TOrth seeing in st. Petersburg, and
7as atterWard sent, at the imperial
Expense, to travel post through the Z
mplre wherever his curiosity might I
'ad him. The acorn, it seems, was
uly planted and terminated, and be- !
a tree. In token Of the truth Of
lis, II we may receive the words
the Boston Traveller as suthentic, !
)me leaves and a little tWig from 1t =
-e deposited in the cabinet Of the :
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