New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-01
THE EMPEROR IVAN ~ 1870

From The AnGquaru
But the commands of this slightly veXatious des-
! pot seemed az times TO have puzzled even his most
faithful commissioners, f. occasion. having
| sent for n0bleman OF Casan. callei Piesheave
(Which is, being interpreted. Bald. he Vayod. mis-
taking the name of the word sent for ! 10 bald-
pated old me,. More than eighty or ninety. how
ever. he could not get together: he sent them MP
speedily 10 the palace with apology that he re-
GREETED he could mud 40 more IN h Is province. ard
desired pardon tor the short measure. The
Emperor astOnished at the sight Of 50
many b1, old 6ald-oates Of deyoaty crossed
delivered the letter and the Diack showed lis Ma
eSty the of the letter he had sent 10 the Va
yod, and the mistake being found ont. the bald
pates made drunk for three days and sent
home again.
On one occasion Ivan yasoidC nailed a French
Ambassadors hat to his head for presum-
/ ing bot TO uncover in the Imperial pres
ence. Sir jerome Bcze. the English Ambas-
sador, coming shortly alterward. nothing daunted
by the tale of lis unfortunate friend put on his hat
and cooked it right jamuly before the Emperor,
VINO stenly demanded how he dared so to insult
BIN. having heard how be had chasti>ed the
Frenchman. Sir jerome was a match for the En-
peror. and replied that he lthe Frenchman mad only
represented 4 cowaIdly King OF France, d" but ;"
said he, - am the Ambassador of the invnclble
Queen Of England. who does not veil her bonnet
nor bare her head 10 any prince living. and if any
of her ministers receive afIOrt, she able re-
vrnge her own quarrel"
Look you there" quoth Ivan VasiIodg 10 his
attendant Boyars. there Is a brave fellow indeed
that dares do and say thus mach for his mis-
trcSs; which BOBBY OF you dare SO much for me.
your master
THIS made them envy Sir Jerome. 50 they per
Suaded the Emperor 10 give him q wild horse 10
tame. which he did, and ~ successful he broke and
tired him ont that the horse fell down dead under
him ; and upon this asked his Majesty if ne had any
more horses to tame. Our friend adds that after
this the Emperor much hOuOrcd aud loved such a
daring LeI'ow as he WAS and mad AIDE to boot"
The " Love me, love my dog " principle seems to
have had something to do with this, II may be-
Hcvc what our historian reates that this queer ty
rant actually courted tie Virgin Queen with a view
10 natrmonT. ana once, upon Suspicion of trea-
son, fortified NOogda and gathered All his treasure
lhere, Win the intent Oh escaping 10 EaglauG upon
extremity.
Ii We NAV believe the following story. the ancient
family of Sop0tski owed It's wealth and position to
tie following quaint fancy:
When Ivan went through the country he was in
the habit Of accepting presents from the poor and
the rich There happci-d ono dav 10 be in lis route
bask Tor q cOp,ck pair. but when the Emperor
came he was qute nc loss what Ia give. HIS wife,
woman OF ready wit and reserve. suggests u PAIR
OF sOIkpes. OF baSk shoes. - That Is no
rarity, quOth the man; "but we have an
him that and a pair of sopkyes too" Great
was MS success the Emperor was delighted and
made all his followers bay -opkycs at five snnnes
par, and wore a pair himself. 50 began the " heel
OF good fortune 10 tuua Tor the Sopnsk ics. for lie
soon Grove thriving trade, ANA left a great estate
brhILd NM ana 80 memory of tins gallant It the
custom OF the Russians 10 throw all their old
> pkyes INTO tree which stood by bis house.
Iheie WAS gentleman. however, hard by who. !
seeing the iuGIp 50 GiaciJuSlN accepted and gen
erOuSiy rewarded, bethoH-ut hin Of "a ike success !
ana offered the EmDc-Orl brave hpTse but tile |
Emperor, seeing through his motives gave huu |
nothlHg lu return bus the aforesaid great aud |
mighty iurnlp, Tor Which-Is seems not improbable |
he was both ab3saed and laughed at.
Ivan, following The habits of 50 m1nv Eastern |
despots, delighted To 70 about ~ disguise and test |
and witness the feelings Of The people toward |
STRANGERS generally AID tne Imperial person M par
tIcUiar.
One night in disguise. be sought lodging in vii
lage near the City o. Moscow, but ~ VAIN for no
one would let hIm in; but az last one Door fellow
W nose Wifc was mOiucntHliy expecting L. become
u joyful mother, opened Hs door and admitted the
apparently eAhau,ted begI"E IN The course of tie
lgut The child Was born, aud the warrant. Getting
himself gone, told the man he would bring hin some
g0dfathcrs next day. Accordingly the next d4v tbr
Emperor aud many Of hs uOble- came and presented
the poor fellow with handsome larEess. and SET i've
md burnt up al the other house, IN tAe Nllia.p |
piayiully eXhorting tne inhabitants 10 Chart, and
hc entertainment of strangers. and that n WIRE |
lOOd Tor them 10 try now excellent ii was 10 be ont
If doors cold winter night.
IL was his custom 20 a>s0ciate with thieves and
robbers In Disguise. Once lie went 50 far ~ To re-
Commend them 10 ROB the Imperial Exrhc0uer
FOR, sand he. Il know the way TO it, But upon
ms Ia moment one or the fellows up with his fist
mo struck MIN hearty GOOD blow on the face say
ng, Though roguei Wit thou offer To- rob his
Majesty, who Is good TO usf Let ms go and rob
ONE rich BOyar who has c0z"ned his Majesty of
'5st sums" Ivan was nightly pleased with this
elbow. and az parting changed caps with him, bid
ing him meet hnl next morning IN the Drave'z q
lace IN the Court where the Emperor was accus-
Omed to pass by And there" sad he will I
ring thee good cup of aqua Vita aud bread ~ The
leXt morning the thief there, and beng dis
ovcrcd by ms Majesty was called up admOniSheu
o steal 10 more. preferred 10 high dignity about
be Court, and appointed Chief Commissioner of
he Detective Force.
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