The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-04-06
THE DEAD CAR.
Incidents ia the Life of the Late Russi~n
Emperor.

New York Post
Whenevec the truth could reach his ears.
the late Alexander never failed TO redress
the wrongs done by his representatives. His
| severity toward officers who had BETRAYED
| their trust should have commended him to
the love OF the people One morning, some
years ago the Gar, who had started for a
walk in the Jardin d Etc, with his favorite
dog, Milford. was accOsted bv an old woman.
Not recognizing him, she asked whether he
was employed in the Winter Palace. Eyes -
answered the Gar; what can do for your
Then the old woman told him that q long
time before she had lent a large sum to a
| high functionary in the palace, and she
could not get him to pay her. She was in
extreme poverty, she said, and the SUM
would be a Godsend to her in the present
circumstances
Thes Emperor inquired for the officers
name. and promised her that he would use
his influence to have the claim settled. APP
pointment was given her by His Imperial
Majesty for the morrow at noon, at the same
place where they were standing, if the
gentleman failed to pay his debt before
that.
Returning to the palace, the Emper or
sent for the debtor. The latter acknow-
lodged his Indebtedness, but pleaded lack of
money: His Majesty gave him the money
out of his own pocket, telling him to 90 at
once and settle with his needy creditor.
Next morning, however, the Car was sur
prised to see the woman punctual to the
eventual appointment He first imagined
she had come to express her thanks, but he
soon learned that she had received nothing
The Car frowned and ordered her to follow
him to the palace. He was in state of
great excitement. He walked so fast that
the poor lady could hardly keep up with
him. When she saw servants, soldiers Cen
erals, every one bow most humbly to her
guide she was stupefed. The guards were
about stopping her, but the Car made a
sign and no further hindrance was put to
her stepping into the Imperial apartments.
The functionary was summoned.
"What does this mean" said the En-
peror. You have not paid this woman
What have you done with the money | gave
your"
The officer made such piteous face that
the Cars anger almost gave place to
desire to laugh.
well, Your Majesty" replied the man,
ION my way home 1 was assailed BY so
many creditors that had nothing left for
this woman. How the jackals had learned
| had the money l know not, but the fact is
they knew it and forced me TO surrender it,"
The Gar accepted the excuse, paid the old
lady, and issued ukase to the effect that
the privileges which noblemen enjoyed as
regards the debts they had contracted should
be abolished. More than one courtier who
had hitherto violated his most solemn en-
gagements with men of the people was
severely punished by Alexander for not
complying with his orders.
When in the heyday of his manhood
Alexander III. mad few rivalsas a sportsman.
Almost every Thursday then was by him
devoted TO hunting. The chase of the bear
was his favorite exercise. An anecdote may
be related in this connection. which bespeaks
the peculiar courage with which he was
endowed. This quality rather than dashing
was of the passive kind. One day he had
fired the two shots contained in his double
barreled gun at bear, causing simply
slight wound. The beast rose on his hind
paws, then savagely rushed for hesoyereign,
who was seated, as was customary with
him, on a camp-stool. The men who &C
companied him naturally anticipated that
the Car, unarmed as he was, would with
draw They were mistaken. The bear was
not more than two yards distant from the
Car, and the latter had not moved from his
seat. He was saved by Petroff, who vio-
lently pulled him back and sent a bullet
through the animals heart. Such was Alex
anders nature-never to recede.
This anecdote brings another to mind.
During sojourn at Moscow, Alexander ex-
pressed a desire to hunt the bear in the
neighborhood. Explorers were dispatched
in various directions, but no trace of bear
was to be found. Rather than disappoint
his Majesty bear was purchased from some
Barnum who owned a circus in the city.
The animal was carried to a given point in
the country and let loose at the time when
the imperial hunter arrived on the spot.
The bear, however, outwitted the EmperoT's
courtiers. As it came within sight of the
imperial party it probably thought itself in
the presence of its usual spectators, and be
gan to dance its best style, as if it had been
in a circus, and thus saved its life. The Car
heartily laughed at the revenge the animal
had taken upon his toadies, and ordered the
harmless brute to be placed in the st. Peters
burg Geological Garden.