Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-09
ANOTHER ALEXIS.

A kUfian Alexis and n suffering
Life-Beware OF Russian PrIEces.
Cor. Louisville Evening Nows.l
1t is not generally known that
the present Grand Duke Alexis is
not the first Russian grand duke of
that name who has figured in
American annals. The wife of a
former Alexis was for years resi-
dent of Louisiana, and her history
is quite romantic.
Charlotte Christina Sophia de
Wolfenberttel, who was born in
1894, was married at an early age
to Alexis, son of Peter l, czar OF
Muscovy. This Alexis was of a
very brutal nature, and soon tired
Of his beautiful wife, treating her
so inhumanly during her first preg
nancy as to endanger her life and
to cause the birth Of a still-born
child. Her illness took place
during the absence of Alexis, and
the countess of Konismonk, who
was her attendant, fearing that her
husbands brutality would finally
cause her death, formed and
put into execution a scheme to in
duce the women of the princess to
spread an announcement of her
death. This was securely done, and
a coffin, tenanted only by a bundle
of sticks, was the recipient of the
funeral solemnities instead of the
body of the princess The fact that
her unworthy husband had ordered
her immediate and uuceremonious
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 faith
full German domestic of the prin-
cess, who was to persOnate her
father, and, clothed in the habili-
ments of common life, the princess
and her two attendants reached
Paris in safety.
Her residence in Paris was of very
short duration. She soon sought a
female servant to take the place oil
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 a notable per-
son in the colony, In the society
which quickly surrounded this cul-
tiyated lady was young lieutenant
of infantry named D'Auband, who
had been in Russia, and who i'm
mediarely recognized the royal
fugitive, Hardly daring, however,
to trust this recollection, he man.
aged so to ingratiate himself with
the supposed father that they finally
9greed to unite their establishments
and i've under one roof. This resi-
dence confirmed D'Auband's recol-
leetions, but until news had reached
the colony of the death of the
Czarovitz Alexis, he did not assume
to recognize the princess. Then he
explained to her his knowledge oi
her, and generously offered to sacri
fee everything and conduct hel
back to Russia. Her past expert,
ence of royalty had, hoyegeB salts
fled her ambition, and she chose tC
remain unnoted in her foreign
home. She demanded of D'Auband
a vow Of inviolable secresy, which
he faithfully kept
The daily intercourse Of these
two young aud noble souls bore itI
natural iluit, and, on the deatE
OF the pptatiye father, the prince,
became the wife of the Lieutenant
D'Auband. 10 them was born {
daughter, whom the mother Odp
Gated with great care, and for tel
years NJ. and Nine D'Auband liveC
happily in their Louisiana home
At the end of that time D'Aubant
became jill of Il disease which re
quired for its cure Il degree of sur
gical skill not to be found in Lou
isiana. in order that he might re
ceiye proper attention, the iamil.
visited Paris, where the most skill
ful surgeons were successfully EN-
ployed by D'Auband, and where
afta, n tir,a ha raoaivad a pnr,, N, Il