Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-02-14
The Actor and the Emperor.

The following anecdote is related
upropos of the Russian Emperor Mich
olas, father of the reigning Car, whose
fondness for the stage and artists led
him to institute Theatre ,Francais at
st. Petersburg. He always treated the
actors with great kindness, almost bor-
dering on intimacy. The Emperor of.
ten took long solitary walks, and to
prevent troubling the tranquility of his
promenade, it was strictly forbidden to
address word or present a petition to
him under pain of a fine or imprison-
ment. One day comedian met the
Emperor rand removing his hat, bowed
respectfully. 1t happened that this ac-
tor was particular favorite of the mon
arch, and on this day in question was
to appear in new piece. ''Ahl is that
your" said Nicholas. "Well, my friend,
| hope you are going to make us laugh
tonight" ''Sire, shall do my best to
please you," was the reply. swell,
well, trust to you," said the Emperor.
Some stepsfurther on, as the actor con-
tinued his way, he was accosted by two
officers. Come with u.s." said one of
them, taking the artist by the arm.
go with you'll Where to?n "Where
to? Why 10 prison, of course. You
have just spoken to the Emperor"
''NotAt all" said the actor; ''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 Russian nobility. The
Emperor enters his box, and is received
by his ministers and generals. lie
bows several times, then sits. 1t is
customary in Russia, on the seating of
his Majesty, for the performance to
commence. Nicholas, like Louis XIV.
disliked waiting; but the performance
ioes not begin. An aid-de-camp is dis
patched to inquire the cause of the de-
lay. He soon returns and announces
that the comedian has failed to put in
an appearance. A useless search is
instituted-the actor has disappeared.
The Emperor summons the general of
police. Questioned by his Majesty, he
knows nothing Of the whereabouts of
the actor. ut is your business to know
everything" says the Gar, with low
ering brows. II give you five minutes
to lind out, and pull up the curtain.
Co." Thereupon all the agents of po-
lice are set to work, and with such sue
cess 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
hearty. 60, sir, and order the per-
formance TO commence. and after the
representation you will bring the hap
less prisoner here.n When the actor
found himself prisoner, his fury had
been uncomfortable. But by degrees
he had calmed down, and had deter
mined to abide the course OF events,
making no effort to regain his liberty.
When he appeared on the stage, the
Emperor himself gave the signal for
the ovation which greeted him. The
assembly had learned the whole affair
and was literally convulsed with laugh
ter at the serious face the comedian
wore. At the end of the performance
he was conducted to the imperial box.
MY dear fellow" exclaimed the En-
peror, who could not help again laugh
ing at the pitiful mien of the actor, 81
am really very sorry for your misadven-
ture, and to make you amends, grant
you, before you ask it, any favor you
desire of me-" ''Sire," said the exas-
perated comedian, still a prey to ner-
vous irritation, 81 have only one favor
to ask, and that is, that you never
speak to me again." The next day he
received in a casket, which bore the
imperial arms, a superb watch, studded
with diamonds.