The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-03-21


Correspondents Louisville Evening News.)
Its not generally known that the pres
ent Grand Duke Alexis is not the first
Russian grand duke OF that name who
has figured in American annals. The
wife Of former Alexis was for years a
resident of Louisiana and her history is
quite romantic.
Charlotte Christina Sophia de Wallen-
bertel, who was born In 1904. was mar
ried ut an early age to Alexis, son
OF Peter I. car OF Nuscovy. This
Alexis was OF very brutal nature, and
soon tired Of his beautiful wife. treating
her so inhumanly during her first preg.
nancy as to endanger her lite and to
cause the birth Of still-born child. Her
illness took place during the absence
OF Alexis, and the countess Of konis-
that her husbands brutality would
finally cause her death, formed and put
into execution scheme to induce
the women of the princess to
death. This was securely done, and
coffin, tenantsd only by bundle Of
sticks was the recipient of the funeral 80.
IDENTITIES instead OF the body Of the prin-
cess. The fact that her unworthy hus-
band had ordered her immediate and un-
ceremonious burial greatly aided this
scheme. The countess OF konismonk,
who had secured all her jewels. and a
considerable sum OF money also, brought
TO her aid an old and faithful German
domestic OF the princess, who was to per-
senate her father, and clothed in the ha-
biliments OF common life, the princess
and her two attendants reached Paris Ia
safety.
Her residence in Paris was OF very
short duration. She soon sought a
female sci want TO take the place of the
countess of Konismonk, and embarked
with this servant and her putative father
for Louisiana. In what part OF Louisiana
the princess settled our history does not
tell US, but she soon became notable
person in the colony. La the society
which quickly surrounded this cultivated
lady was young lieutenant Of infantry
named ID Auband, who had been in Rus
sia, and who Immediately recognized the
royal fugitive. Hardly daring, however
to trust this recollection, he managed so
to ingratiate himself with the supposed
father that they finally agreed to unite
their establishments aud live under one
roof. This residence confirmed D'Au.
bands reeollcotions. but until news had
reached the colony OF the death of the
CZarovitZ Alexis, he did not assume 10
recognize the princess. Then he eX-
planned to her his knowledge OF her, and
generously offered TO sacrifice every
thing and conduct her back to Russia.
Her past experience OF royalty had, how
ever, satisfied her ambition, and she
chose 10 remain unnoted in her foreign
home. She demanded of D'Auband a
vow of inviolable secresy, winch he
faithfully kept.
The daily intercourse of these two
young and noble souls bore its natural
fruit, and, on the death OF the putat,ve
father, the princess became the wife Of the
Lieutenant D'Auband. To them was
born daughter, whom the mother edu-
Gated with great care, and for ten years
NJ. aud Mime D'Auband lived happily in
their Louisiana home. At the end OF
that time D'Auband became ill OF u
disease which required for its cure de-
gree of surgical skill net to be found in
Louisiana. In order that he might re.
ceive proper attention. the family visited
Paris, where the most skilltul surgeons
were successfully employed by Dan
band, and where, after time, he re-
ceive commission of major in the
service of the French East India com
pany tor the Isle OF Bourbon.
While in Paris, however, the princess
was one Gay walking with her daughter
in the garden OF the Tuilcries, when sh'
was met by the Marshal de SAKE, wht
Immediately recognized her. Much EN-
barrassed, she asked him to retire will
her to a more private place, where sh
confided TO him her whole story, no
emitting the part which his mother, tn
Countess of Konismonk, had In her al
ventures. She, however, insisted tina
her history should be kept secret by hin
until she had departed from France
After the arrival OF the family at the lsl'
OF Bourbon. Marshal SAKE confided he
story to the king Of France. who immt
diately ordered the governor OF the ISL
of Bourbon to pay all marks OF distin'
ton to the family Of Major D'Aubant
and also represented her situation
her niece, the Queen of HUI
gary. This queen at once invited tn
princess to reside with her, but made
condition that she should leave benin
her husband and daughter. The brillial
, offer was refused by Nine d. Auband c
the ground that she preferred her d
nestle life to all the glories OF royalt
Here all trace of the princess is lost. II
to be supposed that her life henceforwal
flowed easily along, till the trOpic flo,
, ers blossomed and bloomed ON her peaC
iul grave.
| ThiS historv oac,rrraI lona a~o N,