Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-04-14
INCIDENT OF RUSSIAN LIFE.

INCIDENT OF RUSSIAN LIFE.
The following anecdote is related apro-
pos Of the Russian Emperor Nicholas,
father OF the reigning Car, whose fond
ness for the stage and art>tps led him TO
institute Theater Frnncnis at ST. Peters.
burg. He always treated the actors with
great kindness, almost bordering on inti-
macy. The Emperor often took solitary
walks, and, to prevent ttoubliug the
tranquility Of his promenade, it WAS
strictly forbidden to address a word or
present petition to him under pain of
fine or imprisonment. One day ii come
dian met the Emperor, and, removing
his ha;, bowed respectfully. 1t happentd
chat this actor was II particular lavurite
Of the monarch, aud on the day in ques-
tinn was to appear in new piece.
"Ah i. that you ?" SAID Nicholas -
well, my friehd, hope you are going
to make us laugh to night"
Sire, shall do my best to please
you" was the reply.
well well, trust to you," said the
Emperor.
Some steps further on, as the actor
continued hi> way, he was accosted by
two police officers.
"Come with US, said one Of them, tax
/ in =, tha arti.t b,, mo avn,
"Go with you where to %
"Where to ?-why, TO prison, Of course
you have just spoken to The Emperor"
"Not at all, ," said the actor; "it wa,
His Majesty who poke to me-"
"Come, come, there is no use arguing
march" and the poor actor wa, drag
gcd off to prison and locked up.
1t is eigh, o'clock. The imperial thea
ter is crowded with Russian mobility
The Emperor enters hi, box, ard is re
ccivcd by his Ministers and Generals
He bows several times then sit>. 1t j.
customary in Russia, ON the seating hi,
Majesty, for the pertormnnce to com
! ~ y
liked waiting, but the performance does
not begin. An add camp is dispntch
ed to inquire the cause of the delay Fl.
soon returns, and announces that the
comedian has failed to pat in his appenr
nncc. a senrch is instiuIcd-the nctol
has di,npprarcd The Emperor sum.
mons The General Of Police. Questioned
by III, Majesty, he knows nothing Of Tn,
whereabouts of the actor.
at j, your business to know every
thing" said the Cznr, with lowerin2
brow.. II give yoa five uiuu,e, to find
out and pun mp the curtain. Co..
Thpreuppn all the agents Of police set
to work, and with such success that al
the end oi three minutes the General O
Police comes and announces 20 Hi Impr
rial Maje-ly that the actor has been in
carcrrntcd for having dared to adde's,
him in the street. The sovereign laugh,
long and heartily.
$50, sir, and order the performance t.
commence, and after the representation
you will bring The hnple~s prisoner here, .
When the actor found himself n ptis
oner, his fury had been uucontrollnble.
But by degree he had cnlmpd down and
had determined to abide the course ol
events, making no effort to regain Iii.
liberty. When he appeared on the stag
the Emperor himself gave the signal for
the ovation which greeted him. The as-
scmbly had learned the whole affair, and
was literally convulsed with laughter Mt
the serious face the comelian wore. At
the end of the performance he was CON
Quoted to the lmpera box.
My dear fellow" exclaimed the En-
peror, who could not help laughing at the
piti!ul mien Of the actor, Il am really
very sorry for your miSndventurp, aud, to
make you amends, | grant you, before
you ask it, any favor you desire of me
"Sire," said the exn.peratcd COMEDIAN,
still prey to nervous agitation, Il have
only one favor to ask, and that is, that
yoW nerer speak to me GgoiR ;"
The next day he received a casket,
which bore the Imperial arms and Il su-
perb watch studded with diamonds.
I