The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-06-22
The Actor and the Emperor.

The following anecdote is related apropos
of the Russian Emperor Nicholas, father of
the regning Gar, whose fondness for the
stage and artstes led him to institute a The
atre Francais 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 a word
or present petition to him under pain of q
fine or imprisonment One day comedian
met the Emperor, and removing his hat,
bowed respectfully. 1t happened that this
actor was particular tavorite of the mon
arch, and on this day in question was to ap-
pear in new piece. 'Ah is that you ?"
said Nicholas. "Well, my friend, l hope
you are going to make us laugh tonight"
"Sre, shall do my best to please you," was
the reply. "Well, well, trust you," said
the Emperor. Some steps further on, as the
actor continued his way, he was accosted by
two officers. 'Come with us" said one of
them, taking the artist by the arm. SEQ
with you Where to?" "Where to? Why
to prison, of course You have just spoken
to the emperor" 'Not at ALL" said the ac-
tor, ''it 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. 1t is eight O'Clock.
The Imperial Theatre 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. 1t is GUS
| tomary in Russia, on the seating of his Maj
esty, for the performance to commence.
Nicholas, like Louis XIV. disliked waiting;
but the performance does not begin. An aide.
de-camp is dispatched to inquire the cause of
delay. He soon returns and announces that
the comedian has failed to put in an appear
ance. An useless search is instituted-the
actor has disappeared The Emperor sum-
mons the general of police. Questioned by
his majesty, he knows nothing of the where
abouts of the actor. at is your business to
know everything" says the Gar with lower
ing brows 81 give you five minutes to find
out, and pull up the curtain. Co." There
upon all the agents of police are set to work,
| anu WITH sucn suCctss tlat, AZ lne emu Vi
three minutes, the general of police comes
and announces to his imperial Majesty that
the actor had been incarcerated for having
dared to address him in the street. The En-
peror laughs long and heartily. $50, sir,
and order the performance to commence, 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 calm
ed down and had determined to abide the
course of events, making no efforts to regain
his liberty. When he appeared on the stage
the Emperor himself gave the signal for the
e ovation which greeted him. The assembly
, had learned the whole affair, and was literal
ly convulsed with laughter at the serious Lace
the comedian wore At the end of the per-
formance he was conducted to the imperial
; box. "My dear fellow" exclaimed the Em-
;, = peror, who could not help again laughing al
u the pitiful mien of the actor, 81 am really
very sorry for your misadventure, and 10
make you amends, grant you, before you
ask it, any favor you desire of me-" "Sire, u
said the exasperated comedian, still prey
to nervous irritation, 81 have only one favor
9 to ask, and that is, that you nerer speak to me
again." The next day he received in a cas-
c ket, which bole the imperial arms, superb
i watch, studded with diamonds.