The Beaufort tribune and Port Royal commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1877-1879, 1877-06-28
The Actor and the Emperor.

The following anecdote is related
apropos of the Russian Emperor
Nicholas, father of the reigning czar,
whose fondness for the stage and artists
led him to institute Theater Francois
at St. Petersburg. He always treated
the actors with great kindness, almost
bordering on intimacy. The emperor
often took long, solitary walks; and, to
prevent troubling the tranquility of his
promenade, it was strictly forbidden to
address word or present petition to
him under pain of fine or imprison-
ment. One day comedian met the
emperor, and, removing his hat, bowed
respectfully. 1t happened that this
actor was a particular favorite OF the
monarch, and on the day in question was
to appear in a new piece. "Ah! is that
you?'' said Nicholas. "Well, my friend,
I hope you are going to make us laugh
tonight" "Sire, 1 shall do my best to
please you," was the reply. Well,
we'll, I trust to you," said the emperor.
Some steps further on, as the actor con-
tinued his way, he was accosted by two
officers. "Come with us, said one OF
them, taking the artist by the arm.
"Go with you! Where to?" " Why to
prison, of course. You have just spoken
to the emperor" "Not at all, " said the
actor; cit was his majesty who spoke to
me-" "Come, there is no use arguing
march :" and the poor actor was
dragged off to prison and locked up.
** It is eight o'clock. The
Imperial Theater is crowded with Rus
sian nobility. The emperor enters his
box, and is received by his ministers and
generals. He bows several times, then
sits. It is customary in Russia on the
seating of his majesty for the perform
ance to commence. Nicholas, like Louis
XIV, disliked waiting; but the per
formance does not begin. An alde-de-
camp is dispatched to inquire into the
cause of the delay. He soon returns
and announces that the comedian has
failed to put in an appearance. A useless
search is instituted-the actor has dlsap-
peared. The emperor summons the
general of police. Questioned by his
majesty, he knows nothing of the where
abouts of the actor. Z" It is your busi-
ness to know everything" says the car,
with lowering brows. Il give you five
minutes to find out and pull up the cur
tain. Co." Thereupon all the agents
of police are set to work, and with such
success that, at the end of three minutes,
the general of police comes and an
nounces to his imperial majesty that the
actor has been incarcerated for having
dared to address him in the street. The
emperor laughs long and heartily. "Go,
sir, and order the performance to COM
mence, and after the representation you
will bring the hapless prisoner here.
When the actor found himself prisoner
his fury had been uncomfortable. But
by degrees he had calmed down and had
determined to abide the course of events,
making no efforts to regain his liberty.
When he appeared on the stage the en-
peror himself gave the signal for the
ovation which greeted him. The assem-
bly had learned the whole affair and was
literally convulsed with laughter at the
serious face the comedian wore. At
the end of the performance he was con-
dncted to the imperial box. My dear
fellow" exclaimed the emperor, who
could not help again laughing at the pitt
full mien of the actor, 81 am really very
sorry for your misadventure, and to
make you amends I grant you, before
you ask it, any favor you ask of me"
"Sire," said the exasperated comedian,
still q pray to nervous irritation, "l
have only one favor to ask, and that is
that you never speak to me again" The
next day he received in casket, which
bore the imperial arms, a superb watch,
studded with diamonds.