The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1877-05-12
the Actor and tho Emp eror.

The following anocdoto is related
a propos of the Russian sEmperor
Nicholas, father of tho reigning
Gear, whose fondness for the stage
and artistes led him to institute q
Theatre Era,,cuis at st. Petersburg.
He always treated tho actors with
great kindness, almost bordering on
intimacy. z The Emperor often
took long solitary walks, and to pro-
vent troubling the tranquility of his
promenade, it was strictly forbidden
to address, word or present u
petition to him, under pain of fine
or Imprisonment. Ono day cono~
dim met tho Emperor, and removing
his hat, bowed respectfully. 1t
happened that this actor was par
Ocular favorite of tho monarch, and
on this day in question was to ap-
pear III o now piece. "Ah is that
you3" ,aaid Nicholas. "Well, my
friend, I hope you are going to make
us laugh tonight" "Siro, shall
do my best to please you" was the
reply. "Well, we'll, I trust to you,
said tho Emperor. Some steps
far thor on, as tho actor continued
his way, he was accostod by two
officers. "Como with us" said ono
of them, taking the artist by the
arm. "Go with you! Whcro to?"
|Where to Why to prison, of
course. You have just spoken to
tho Emperor" "Not at ALL" said
the actor lit was his Majesty who
spoke to mo-" "Come, thoro is no
use arguing-naarch;" and the poor
actor was dragged off to prison and
locked up. 1t is eight
o'clock. Tho Imperial Theatre is
crowded with Russian nobility.
The Emperor enters his box, and is
received by his minister's and gen
erals. He bows several times, then
sits. It is customary in Russia, on
the seating of his Majesty, for tho
performance to commence. Nicho-
las, like Louis XIV, dislilkcd wait
ing; but tho performance does not
begin. An add -de-camp is despatch
cd to inquire the cause of tho delay.
He soon returns and announces that
the comedian has failed to put in an
appearance. A useless search is
instituted-tho actor has disappears
,>od. Tho Emperor summons tho
;goneral of police. Questioned by
his Majesty, he knows nothing of
tho whereabouts of tho actor. 1T is
your business to know everything"
says the Gar, with lowering brows-
AZ give you five minutes to find out,
and pull up the curtain. Co."
Thereupon all the agents of police
are set TO work, and with such sue
cess that, at the end of three
minutes, the general of police comes
and announces to his imperial Majesty
that the actor has been inoarccratcd
for having dared to address him in
the street. Tho Emperor laughs
long and heartily. "Go, sir, and
order the performance to commence,
and after tho representation you
Will bring the hapless prisoner
here" When the actor found him
self prisoner, his fury had been
uncomfortable. But by degrees he
had cslmed down and had detormin-
cd to abide tho course of evonts,
making no efforts to regain his
liberty. When he appeared on tho
stage, the Emperor himself
gave The signal for tho ovation
which greeted him. Tho assembly
had learned the whole affair, and
was literally convulsed with laugh
ter at the serious face tho comedian
'woro. At tho end of tho perform
;ance The was conducted to the
imperial box. "My dear fellow"
Dexclaimedssthe Emperor, who could
not help laughing at the pitiful
,mien of the actor, 81 am really sorry
for your misadventure, and to make
you amend, I grant you, before you
ASK it, any favor you desire of mo.
"Sire," said the ,exasperatod Gomez
dian, still prey to nervous irrita-
tion, II have only one favor to ask,
and that ia, that yow never speak
to me again." The next day he re-
ceived in casket, which bore the
imperial arms, q superb watch,
studded with diamonds. "
Capt. Boynton has regretfully de-
clined to swim across tho straits OF
Messina, having been prudently
doterrod from tho feat by good au-
thorities on the matter, who say that