The Hawaiian gazette., 1876-01-19
Obeylng Orders-A Russian story

Sunderland was famous hound, named from
the English banker who presented him TO the
| Empress of Russia, Catherine the Second. This
dog came near causing the most tragical mistake
that has occurred within the memory of fnau-
eiers.
{" Sir" said a-valet de chambre one morning
entering the chamber of Mr.. Sunderland. rich
English capitalist, who gave this much loved
hound to the Empress, and who in consequence
of the present had for three years stood high 10
her good graces-" Sir, your house is surrounded
by guards aud the director of the police is below
| requesting to see you"
"What does he want?" cried the banker,
springing from his bed alarmed ut the iniorma-
tiou.
Al know nothing about it, SIR replied the
valet, 4" but it appears to mo an affair OF the
highest importance-he will communicate it to
no one but yourself"
"Show him in," said Mr.. Sunderland, hastily
throwing on dressing gown.
The valet departed, and reappeared in q few
moments, conducting his excelency, Mr.. Reew,
whom the banker at glance perceived to be the
bearer of some formidable news. He, however,
received the worthy director Of the police with
his usual urbanlty, and invited him to take q
seat but expressing his thanks by significant
movement Of his head he remained standing and
in the most piteOus accents he could assume, adj
dressed Mr.. Sunderland.
" Sir" SAID he, "you must believe how very
deeply | am grieved at having been chosen by her
Majesty, my graci Gus sovereign, to accomplish
order whose severity affiicts ME, though it has
undoubtedly been provoked by some great crime"
a. BY some great crime !" cried the banker ;
"who has committed the crime"
a. You, sir, undoubtedly, since to you the pun
ishment attaches"
g. 49, -~.~--i;--i D.,ssiar ron l-~--
aud swear to you that our sovereign might
search my conscience to its depths, without dis
covering any subject Of complaint in my actions
or thoughts toward her,"
An, sir, your being naturalized Russian is
what makes your situation so terrible if you
had remained British subject you might now
have claimed the protection of the English min
lister, and thus perhaps have escaped from the
rigorous command, which, TO my regret, | am
charged to execute"
VIII your exceency inform me what it is 2"
Oh, my dear sir, shall never have courage
to tell you"
Have lost the favor of her Majesty9"
"0h that it we're but that"
Indeed does she contemplate sending me
back to England o.
England is your own country, and that pun
ishment would not be so severe that | should fear
to mention it,
q Good heavens you frigh.en me. Can she
think OF banshing me to Siberia 2"
Siberia, sir, is delightful country that has
been illuminated besides you might return from
there"
Am l condemned to prisoni"
prison is nothiug-you could escape from
prison."
"Sir, SIR" cried the banker, more and more
terrified, " eau be destined to the knout 7"
The knout is a painful punishment, but the
knout does not destroy life"
Ny God" cried Sunderland, struck with dis.
may. al see that am TO die"
And what q death p cried the director of
police, raising his eyes with an expression Of deep
pity.
Wait Is it not enough to kill me without
trial, to assassinate me without cause Has Cath
crime ordered yet more 2"
Alas, yes. she has ordered"
Well speak out, sir. What has she ordered :
/ am man and have some courage. Speak,
My dear sir, she has ordered If the CON-
mand had not been given to myself, never would
have believed it. How can tell you ?"
You make me die thousand deaths Come,
tell me, sir, what Is the order ?"
" You are to be aayed alive"
The poor banker uttered a cry OF agony-then
looking the director Of police in the face
" But, your excellency," said he, what you
tell me Is incredible. You must have lost your
reason"
" No. sir, have not, though certainly shall |
lose it during the operation"
" But is it possible that you, who have an hun |
dred times called yourself my friend, and to whom
have had the happiness Of rendering some ser
vices, could receive such an order without attempt
ing to make her Majesty comprehend its barbar-
ity."
Alas sir. did what could, and certainly |
more than any other person 10 my place would |
have dared to do. l besought her Majesty to re-
iDquish the project, or at least to charge some
one else with the execution Of it, and persisted
IN the entreaty till she grew angry and answered
me in that tone which you must have heard and
hat admits Of no reply.
Go. sir remember il is your duty to perform
without murmuring any commission with which
deign 10 intrust you"
And then ?"
Then" said the director OF police, a vent in
Iearch of very skillful naturalist, who stufs
,irds for the Academy Of Sciences; because,
ince the thing must be done, | wished it to be
in the best possible manner"
And did the wretch consent to do it 7"
de referred me to bis colleague, who skins
nd prepares the monkeys, because of the great
resemblance between the human and the monkey
aces."
"Well, sirln
Well, he is waiting for you"
Waiting for mel Is it to be done this in
tant p
This very instant Der Majesty's orders sd-
nit Of no delay"
Without giving me time to arrange my az
airs !" It is impossible r..
a regret TO say that it must be, air."
Bat you will give me time to write note to
be Empress -
. / fear that cannot"
Tisteu-It IA a Iazt favor A favor navar 70 1