The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-12-13

Historical Memoirs Of > gar, give, q lively
picture Of the spirit which rcigncd in the
Russian court, under the sway OF the cc,cbra
TED Catherine II.
y rich banker named Sadcrland, enjoyed
for long time tn" liccntious favor Of the
Empress, but one day h" suddenly saw his
house surrounded by an armed force, led bv
a cammiSsary of the police, who demanded
10 speak with him.
My dear SIR" SAID he to the frightened
banker, "it grievcs me deeply to have rccoiy.
| ed orders from our gracious sovereign tp cX-
ccuto toward you II severity beyond anything
| have ever yet seen | know not what eX
LraOrdinary otlensc you have committed to
excite such extreme anger in her Majesty as
to induce her to command q punishment so
horrible and unprecedented"
Il do not understand word YOU Of what
you are saying said the oStonished banker
II am as much amazed rs if you had fallen
from the clouds. What are the orders YOU
have reCeiycd?'
j | have not the courage to tell YOU. And
yet shall be compelled to execute them"
Am | indeed SO unfortunate as to have
! lost her Maiesty's confidence"
"Ah! if that were all, sir you would rot
see me so disconsoatc You might regain
her contidcne and even he iayor--but--"
But Ann then banshed from Russia"
'Ihat would indeed De sad misfortune !
|yet with your riches you could find hospit-
able reception in any other country, But"
'Ol, heavens! Is 1t possible that am to
BE- rNiled TO SIhrrlaE'
Even from there You might sooner or lat
or, be called to Russia"
"Perhaps, then, you arg going to put me in
prisonf'
Il wish II were so, Tor thcn you might be
liberated"
Am then condemned to undergo the
hHomF
ne "'W Is u uTc"Ulul punishment 70 be
sure, but IL l. not always lalal'
'lncn, on, tncn, you lead me to death tell
me plainly th'S suspense IS worse imam ucath
ItSGn
KNOW, men, 'hat your most gracious En-
press mas gwen oI"eIs L" Jake Oh your chlIrc
SKIN:
|" lake OIL my SKIN cAc!Wmcd Hader-
,Ihu' sHiZcu "',I horror 10 Hay me a!lyc!
5ut reganihH ms Sli[conmahu, ne added,
NO. no; II cannot be- either you have lost
your Ne!seS' M t"hlpI>safy. or Your most
hgA mistress has lost hers Is 1t possible you
made no answer when You received such cru
el olderSE'
Il oid more IMAM any other would have
dared to DO; ana not conceal my grief and
surprise. | fingered IN Inc Imperial pres
cnce; ana actually begun an humble remon-
stTance to her Majesty, when our gracious
sovereign, turning 10 Iook on me, with look
ana voice OF anger, bade me be gone and
perform hei VIII. sun seem to hear her
threatening ana appalling words; CO. said
ner Majesty, ana never forget that II Is your
indispensable duty to execute, without ques-
uonlng' the commands think you worthy
to receive from me.
II IS Impossible t" describe the agitation,
me gulsl', or me despair OF the poor "a
dcr!and: Alter ne NAG FOR time given way
10 me violence ol ms distress, me Commissa-
ry to!d nm that ne WAS allowed a quarter OF
an hour TO Se,lle ms affairs. After mnch en-
treaty, however me "iiIccr consented, at the
FISK oi MS own ne, 10 write ana lmpIore
C,enchty-aNa ne followed me letter himself.
beiore appearing at the court ne went to seek