Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-11-25
MIS- scELLAN N US.
TO BE SKINNED ALIVE.

fA 1s1Nh paukcE natneu oanuerland. en-
S joyed for a long time the favor of the
Empress Catherine II of Russia, but one day
he suddenly saw his house surrounded by an
armed force, led by commissary of the DO
lice, who demanded to speak with him.
"My dear sir" said he to the frightened
banker, ''it grieves me deeply to have re-
ceived orders from our gracious sovereign to
execute toward you severity beyond any
thing have ever yet seen. know not what
extraordinary offense you have committed to
excite such extremity of anger in her ma
jesty as to induce her to command punish
ment so horrible and unprecedented"
81 do not understand word of what you
are saying" answered the astonished banker.
''1 am as much amazed as if you had fallen
from the clouds. What are the orders YOU
received 2"
Il have not the courage to tell you and
yet shall be compelled to execute them"
Am l indeed SO unfortunate as to have
lost her majesty's confidence 2"
"Ah, it that were all, sir, you would not
SEQ me so disconsoiate. You might regain
her confidence and even her favor-but-"
"But then am banished from Russia 7"
"That would indeed be sad misfortune,
yet with your riches you could find hospi-
table reception in any other country, but"
"Oh heavens is it possible that am to be
exiled to Siberia 2"
Even from there you might, sooner or
later, be recalled to Russia"
"Perhaps. then, you are going to put mo
in prison ?"
81 wish it were SO, for then you might be
liberated"
"Am I. then. condemned to undergo the
kuout?"
1.-The knout is dreadful punishment, to be
sure, but it is not always fatsl2"
''Then oh then, you would lead me to
death tell me plainly; this suspense is worse
than death itself"
"Know, then, that your most gracious En-.
press has given orders to take off your entire
skin"
ITO take off my skin !" exclaimed sader.
land, seized with horror-"to fi.y me alive ~
But -regaining his self command. he added.
"No, not cannot be; either you have lost
your senses, Mr.. Commissary, or your most
benign mistress has los. hers Is it possible
you made no answer when you received such
cruel orders 2"
81 did more than any other would have
dared to do. did not conceal my grief and
surprise. l fingered in the imperial presence
and had actually began an humble remonstrance
to her majesty, when our gracious sovereign,
turning to look on me, with look and voice
of anger, bade me begone and perform her
will. l still seem to hear her threatening
and appalling words: "Go," said her Ma
jesty, "and never forget that it is yourindis-
pensible duty to execute without questioning
the commands think you worthy of receiy>
ing from me-"
= 1t is impossible to describe the agitation,
the anguish. or the despair of the poor Sad.
erland. After he had for a time given vent
to the violence of his distress, the commissa>
ry told him that he was allowed q quarter of
an hour TO settle his affairs
In vain the banker prayed for longer in
terval, or at least an opportunity to write to
the Empress and implore her clemency At
length, although trembling for the consequen-
ces to his own life, he consented, and he i'm
mediately followed the letter himself; but not
having courage to present himself at court,
he went to seek his friend aud protector
Colonel Bruce.
The count thought that the commissary
must have made mistake, and took him di-
rectly to the imperial palace. There leaving
him in an ante>chamber, be obtained admis-
sion to the presence of the Empress, to whom
be related the whole affair.
What was his astonishment to oyerhear the
Empress exclaim: stJust heaven what at.
rocity There can be no doubt tha. Niecloff
(the commissary) is mad. Quick Count
take the horse before it is too late. and deliver
my poor banker from his alarm, and assure
him of my favor and good wishes"
The count hasteued to communicate this
order to the commissary, and was yet more as.
tonished when returning to the presence of
the Empress, 70 hear her e1claim, amid bursts
of the ioudest laughter.
'Now understand the cause of the strange
and incomprehensible scene. I have for sew
eral years had fine dog, which valued
highly, and 1 had given him the name of