Middletown transcript., 1877-07-28
The Ge.or and the Emperor.

apropOS OF the husslan emperor Nleh-
olas, 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 bor-
dering on intimacy. The emperor
often took long, solitary walks; and,
to prevent troubling the tranquility Of
his promenade, it was strictly forbid
den to address word or present a pc
tition to him under pain of fine or
Imprisonment One day a comedian
met the emperor, and, removing his
hat, bowed respectfully. It happened
that this actor was particular favor
ite of the monarch, and on the day in
question was to appear in new piece.
"Ahl IS that you ?" said Nicholas.
''Well, my friend, I hope you are go
ing to make US laugh tonight" "Sire,
l shall do my best to please you," was
the reply. "Well, well, l trust to 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. "Go with youl
Where to p @Why to prison, of course
You have just spoken to the'emperor." :"
''Not at ALL said the actor; sit was
his majesty who spoke to me" Come,
there is no use arguing-march !" and
the poor actor was dragged off to pris-
on and locked up. = It is
eight o'clock. The Imperial Theater
is crowded with Russian 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 performance to com
mence. Nicholas, like Louis XIV,
disliked waiting but the performance
does not begin. An aide-de-camp is
dispatched to inquire into the cause of
the delay. He soon returns and an
nounces that the comedian has failed
to put in an appearance. A useless
search is instituted-the actor has dis
appeared. The emperor summons the
general of police. Questioned by his
majesty, he knows nothing of the
whereabouts of the actor. at is your
business to know everything" says the
czar, with lowering brows. 81 give
you five minutes to find out and pull
up the curtain. 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 announces to his imperial
majesty that the actor has been incar-
cerated for having dared to address
him in the street. The emperor laughs
long and heartily. "Go, strand order
the performance to commence, and
after the representation you will bring
the hapless prisoner here" When the
actor found himself a prisoner his fury
had been uncomfortable. But by de-
grees he had calmed down and had de-
termined 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
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
conducted to the imperial box. 'sMy
dear fellow" exclaimed the emperor,
who could not help again laughing at
the pitiful mien of the actor, 81 am
really very sorry for your misadven-
ture, and to make you amends I grant
you, before you ask it, any favor you
ask of me" "Sire," said the exasper-
ated comedian, still prey to nervous
irritation, 81 have only one favor to
ask, and that is that you never speak
to me again" The next day he re
ceived in a casket, which bore the i'm
perial arms, superb watch, studded
with diamonds.