The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-03-30
A arrow Escape.

land-thus named after the English
man who had made q gift to the En-
press Catharine ii Of Russia-nearly
caused tragic mistake, in so far as it
nearly cost the donor, a celebrated
banker, his life. The occurrence took
place at st. Petersburg.
One morning, at daybrsak, Mr..
Sutherland, the gentleman who had
presented the dog to the Empress, and
who was consequently q favorite with
that august parsonage, was suddenly
awoke by his man servant.
Sir said the footman, your house
is surrounded with guards, and the
master of the police demands to speak
to you
What does he wish with mer' ex-
claimed the banker, as he leaped from
his bed, somewhat startled by this an
nouncement.
i know not, SIR answered the foot.
man; but it appears that it 10 matter
of the highest Importance, and which,
from what he says, can only be commu-
nicated to you personally
Show him in, said Mr.. Sutherland,
as he hastily donned his dressing
gown.
The footman departed, and returned
some minutes after with his Excellsncy
Mr.. Reliew, upon whose face the bank
! er read at the first glance some formid-
able intelligence. The worthy banker.
however, maintained his calmness, and
welcoming the master of the police
with his usual urbanity presented him
with seat His Excellency. however,
remained standing. and in tone the
most dolorous which it was possible to
assume, said:
Mr.. Sutherland, believe me when |
assure you that am truly grieved to
have been chosen by her Majesty, my
very gracious sovereign, to accomplish
an ORDER the severity of which aftlic!s
me. but which without doubt has been
provoked by some great crime.
by some great crime, your Excel.
lency!' exclaimed the banker. And
who, then has committed this crime
You, doubtless. since it is upon you
that the punishment is TO fall
Sir, swear to you that | know not
of any reproach of which to charge my
self as subject Of our sovereign; for
am a naturalized Russian, as you must
know
And it is precisely, sir, because you
are q naturslized Russian that your po.
sition is terrible. If you had remained
a subject of his Britannia Majesty, you
would have been able to call in the aid
of the English Consul, and escape thus
perhaps the rigor of an order which !
AN, to my very great regret, charged to
execute
Tell me then, your Excellency, what
is this orders'
'Oh, sir, never will | have the
strength to make 1t known to YOU
Have / lost the good grsces of her
Majesty
oh. if it were only that
is it q question to make me depart
for England?'
'Ohl no; even that must not be
Mon Dieu! you terrify me. Is it an
order to send me to Siberia?'
Siberia, sir Is fine country, and
which people have calumniated. Be-
sides, people return from it.
Am condemned to prison.
Sir, sir!' cried the banker. more and
more affrighted. am | destined to the
knout?'
The knout 10 punishment very
grievous; but the knout does not kill
Miserable fate said Sutherland,
terrified Il see, indeed, that it is a
matter Of death
And what DEATH exclaimed the
master of the police, whilst he solemn
ly raised his eyes with an expression
of the most profound pity.
How, what death! Is it not
enough to kill me without trial. to as
sassinste me without causee Cathsrine
orders, yet
Alas. yes, she orders
Well, speak, sir! What does she or
ders l am man; have courage.
speak
Alas, my dear sir, she orders-1f ii
had not been by her self that the COM
mand had been given, declare to you,
my dear Mr. Sutherland. that / would
not have believed it,
But you make me die q thousand
times, Let me see. sir. what has she
ordered you TO dor
she has ordered ne to have you
stuffed.
The poor banker uttered cry of dis
tress; then. looking the master of police
in the face. said: But, your Exeellency,
it is monstrous what you say 10 me; you
must have lost your reason
No. sir; / have not lost my reason;
| L..k n sol, ,. 1.,rsnnr IA.
| operation
But how have you--you, who have
said you are my friend n hundred
times-you. in short, whom | have had
the honor TO render certain services
how have you. say, received such an
order without endeavoring to repre-
sent the barharity of il TO her Males
tyY'
Alas sir. have done what | could.
and certainly what no one else would
have dared to DO in my place. / be-
sought her Majesty 10 renounca her
design, or. at least, TO charge another
/ than myself with the execution OF IL;
and that with tears in my eyes. Bat
/ her Majesty said TO me with that voice
which you know well, and which does
not admit of reply:-'Go. SIR, and DO
not forget that it is your duty to acquit
Yourself without murmur of the
commissions with which / charge
| you.''
And them
Then said the master of the police,
Il lost no time in repairing TO very
clever naturalist who stutfs animals At