The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-11-25
Ohenbach's Story.

Says . writer TO the New York Mercury:
A short time since, as I am informed by .
private letter from Paris, q number Of
literary Bohemians were assembled at
jacques Ofenbach's cosy little. sitting
room in the French capital talking
sprightly of everything in. general and
nothing in particular. Gradually the
conversation drifted into sort of ar1u-
ment to the effect that the most popular
incidents travestied on the comic stage
were really based on some actual occur
renee in life. This was doubted by some,
and one of those introduced the character
of Fritz in the " Grand Duchess as so ri.
diculous and absurd, especially his being
run through all grades Of military pron6-
ton to the highest in five minutes, that
anything remotely like it could never
have really happened. Ofenbach smiled
ut this assertion and cut the debate short
by saying that the incident was taken
from actual life. This was a sumner to
the company, who all asked for the proof,
which Offenbach at once gave by telling
the following story: Years ago, he sale |,
ne was examining the treasures in an an
tiquarian's store in London, when work
the following: "The Life, Habits and
Manners of Peter the Great, Gar Of All
the Russias, with Many Truthful Anec-
dotes Never before Printed" This book,
he said, was published in London about
the middle OF the last century and was
now very rare. He bought it and in it was
told the very incident after which the affair
of "Gen." Fritz in the "Grand Ouch
ess" was patterned. One day, so runs the
anecdotc, . young recruit was standing
guard before the door Of the entrance to
Peters private chambers in the palace at
St. Petersburg. He had received orders
to admit no one. As he was slowly pass
ing up and down before the door Prince
Mentchikoff, the tavorite Minister Of the
Gear, approached, attempting to en-
ter. He was stopped by the re-
cruit. The Prince, who had the full
est liberty Of calling upon his master
at any time, sought to push the guard
aside and pass him, yet the young
man would not move, but ordered His
Highness to stand back. lyon fool!"
shouted the Prince, don't you know
me?" The recruit smiled and said
Every well, your Highness, but my Or
ders are peremptory to let nobody pass"
The Prince, exaspcratcd at the low fell
lows impudence, struck him blow in the
face with his riding-wh:p. Strike away,
yOu1 1lSHnCSS, Sald Tie SOluler, DuI
cannot let you go in" Peter, in his room,
hearing the noise outside, opened the door
and inquired what it meant, and the
Prince told him. The Gear was amused,
but said nothing at the time. In the even
ing, however, he sent for the Prince and
the soldier. As they both appeared Peter
gave his own cane to the soldier, saying:
"That man struck you in the morning,
now you must return the blow to that fell
low with my stick" The Prince was
amazed. Your Majesty" he said, this
common soldier is to strike me?' II
make him Captain" said Peter. But
am an officer of your Majestys house
hold,' objected the Prince. II make
him Colonel of my Lifc-Guards and an
officer of my household" said Peter,
again. MY rank, your Majesty knows,
is that of General" again protested
Mentchikoff. "Then make him Gen.
eral, so that the beating you get may come
from man of your rank The Prince
got sound thrashing in the presence of
the Gar, the recruit was the next day COM
missioned General, with the title Of Count
Oromlzoff, and was the founder of pow
crful family, whose descendants are high
in the imperial service of Russia. "This
recruit" said Offenbach, is the original
of nv Gen. Fritz