Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-03-09
An Incident Of Russian Life.

| bprOpOS or the Russian Emperor
Nicholas, father of the reigning Czar,
whose fondness for the stage and
arlistes led him to institute Theater
Fran. ais at St. Petersburg. He al
ways treated the actors with grea,
kindness, almost bordering on init
macy. The Emperor often took
long solitary walks, and to prevent
troubling the tranquility of his prom.
enade, it was strictly forbidden to
address word or present petition
to him under pain Of fine or i'npris-
onment. One day comedi IN
met the Emperor, and, removing his
hat, bowed respectfully. 1t happen
ed that the actor was 4 particular
tavorite 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, l hope you are
gong to make us laugh tonight"
"Sire, I shall do my best to please
you," was the reply.
"Well, we'll, trust to you," said
The Emperor.
Some steps further on, as the act
or continued his way, he was accost-
ed by two police officers.
"Come with us" said one of them,
taking the artist by the arm.
"Go with you!-where to-"
"Where to?-why, to prison, OF
course; you have just spoken to the
Emperor.
"No, II, all, "said the actor; sit was
His Majesty who spoke to me-"
"Colne, C. me, there is no use argu-
ing-march," and the poor actor WAS
dragged off to prison aud locked up.
1t is eight o'clock. The imperial
lheater is crowded with Russian no
biIity The Emperor enters his box,
and is receiv d 10y his Ministers and
Generals. He bows several times
then sits. It. is customary in Russia.
on the seating of His Majesty, for
the performance to commence
Nicholas, like Louis XIV, disliked
waiting, but the performance does
not begin. An aid-de-camp is dis
patched to inquire the cause of the
delay. He soon returns, and an
nounces that the comedian has failed
to put in his appearance. \ search
is instlgated-the actor has disap
peared. The Emperor summons the
General of Police. Questioned by
His Majesty, he knows nothing Of
the whereabouts OF the actor.
at Is your place to know every
thing" says the Gar, with lowering
brows. 81 give you five minutes to
find out and pull ny the curtain -
CO."
Thereupon all the agents of the
+ police are set to work, and with such
success, that at the end OF three min
utes the General of Police comes and
announces to His Imperial Majesty
that the actor has been incarcerated
for having dared to address him in
the street. The sovereign laughs
long and hearty.
''Go, sir, and order the perfor
nance to commence, and after the
representation YOU will bring the
hapless prisoner here"
When the actor found himself II
prisoner, his fury had been uncon
trollable. But by degrees he had
calmed down and had determined to
abide the course of events, making
no eff TT to regain his liberty. When
he appeared on the stage, the En-
peror himself gave the signal for the
ovation which greeted him. The
assembly had learned the whole
affair, and was literally convulsed
with laughter at the serious face the
comedian wore. A. the end of the
performance he was conducted to
the Imperial box.
my dear fellow" exclaimed the
Emperor, who could not help laugh
ing at tie pitiful mien of the actor,
Il am really very sorry tor your mis-
adventure, and, to make sou amends,
l grant you, before you ask it, my
favor you desire of me"
''Sire," said the exasperatrd come
dian, still prey to nervous agitation,
81 have only one favor to ask, and
that is, Tint yo" riH "erer spe"k /"
me ugui".!"
The next day he received a casket,
which bore the Imperial arms and Il
! sIIurrh watch stuidpi with diu
mUnds.