Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-11-17

In the memoirs and historical "reminiscences
lat ally published, of Baron Segur, the veteran di
plomatist Of many courts, occurs lively sketci
Of characteristic episode in the reign ot!Ca Catha
rlne H., Of Russia.
A rich Banker, named Saderland, enjoyed fol
= long time the favor Of the Empress, but one
day he suddenly saw his house surrounded by
an armed force, led by Commissary OF the
special police who demanded to speak with
him.
"My dear sr," said lie to the frightened
banker, cit greves me deeply to have recsiyed
orders from our gracious sovereign to exc
cute toward you severity beyond anything l
have ever yet seen. know not what extraor-
dinary offence you have committed to ex-
cite such extremity Of anger In her Majesty as
to induce her to command punishment so
horrible.
~ do mol understand word OF what YOU
are saying" said the astonished banker. l
am as much amazed as If you had fallen from
the clouds. What are the orders you have re
ceived?"
81 have not tho courage to tell you. And
yet shall be compelled to execute them"
"Am indeed so unfortunate as 10 have lost
her Maiesty's confidence?'
"Ah, il that were all, sir, you would not see
me so disconsolate. You might regain her con :
tidence and even her Majeslvs favor, but
but"
.srhat would indeed be sad misfortune;
vet, with your riches, you could find hospita-
Bile reception in any other country. But"
"Oh heavens! Is 1t possible that am to be
exied TO Slberia"'
Even from there You might, sooner or later
be recalled to Russia"
"Perhaps, ihan. you are going to put me Ia
prison'"
~ wish it were 50 tor then you light be lib
erated?"
sam / then condemned to undergo the
knout?"
"rhe knout Is dreadful punishment, 10 he
sure, but II Is not always fatal"
"Then, oh. then, you lead me TO DEATH Tell
me plainly; this suspense Ia worse than death
ITSELF"
"Know, then, that your most gracious Em-
press has given absolute orders to take of your
entire skin"
"To take off my skinf" exclaimed Saderlaud,
seized with horror-"to fay me alive" But re
gaining his self-coinmand, he added, "No, no,
it cannot be; either You have lost your senses,
Mr.. Commissary, or your most benign mistress
has lost hers. Is it possible you made no an
swer when you received such cruel orders?"
81 did more than other would have dared TO
do. did not conceal my grief and surprise.
| fingered in the Imperial presence, and had
actually begun q humble remonstrance to her
! Majesty, when our gracious sovereign, turning
TO look on me, with y look and voice of anger,
bade me begone and perform her will. l still
seem to hear her threatening and appalling
words:
$50, and never forget that 1t is your inds-
| pensable duty to execute without questioning
| The commands think YOU worthy TO receive
| from me-"
| Is II possible TO describe the agitation, the
| anguish, or the despair of poor Saderland.
After he had for time given vent 10 the vi
| o.ence of his distress the Commissary told him
that he was allowed a quarter OF an hour to
settle his affairs In vain, the banker prayed
for long interval or at least for an Opportuni'
| ty to write TO the Empress aud implore hel
clemency.
at length, although trembling ior the con
sequences to his own life, he consented, and he
Immediately followed the letter himself bu
| not having courage to present himself at Cour
he went to seek his friend and protector, Colo
mel Bruce.
The Count thought that the Commls lssar
must have made mistake, and took him dl
rectly to the Imperial Palace. There, leayin
him In an nte-chamber, he obtained admis
sion to the presence of the Empress, To whom
| he related the whole affair.
What was his astonshrnent 10 over-hear tn
| Empress eXclaim;
"Just heaven. what airocily, There can be IL
doubt that Niecloff (the Commissary) is mat
quick Count, take morse before IL IS loo lali
and deliver my poor banker from his alarm
and assure him OF my favor and good wishes.
The Count hastenad TO communicate this o
der tO the Commissary, and was yet more a
tonshed when, returning 10 the presence oft
Empress, he heard her excaim, mid bursts
L the loudest laughter:
"Now understand the cause of this stran,
and incomprehensible scene. 1 have for seve
y y al years had fine dog, which I valued high
3 and had given him the name Of Saderlan
v both for the sake of joke on my good bank,
q and also in compliment TO the English gent
a. manof that:name from whom obtained the d.
. Early this morning gave orders to Niecl
E to take OIL his skin entire, in order to have
II stuffed, as the poor thing was dead. He seel
., ed to hesitate whether to obey, and was We
OF angry, because thought it was silly pride
=, his part."
rs