The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-03-31
Incidents In the life Of the Late
Russian Emperor.

Whenever 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 car,
who had started for walk in the
Jardin d'Ete, with his favorite dog
Milford, was accosted by an old
woman. Not recognizing him, she
asked whether he was employed in
the winter palace. eyes," answered
the car; "what can I do for youl"
Then the old woman told him that
a long time before she had lent a
large sum to 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.
The emperor inquired for the off,
GERS name, ana promised her that he
would use his influence to have the
claim settled. Appointment was
given her by his imperial majesty for
the. morrow at noon, at the same
place where they were standing, il
the gentleman failed to pay his debt
before that.
Returning to the palace, the en-
peror sent for the debtor. The latter
acknowledged his indebtedness, but
pleaded lack of money. His majesty
gave him the money out of his own
pocket, telling him to 60 at once and
settle with his needy creditor.
Next morning, however, the car
was surprised to see the woman pune.
tual to the eventual appointment.
He first imagined she had come to
express her thanks. but he soon
learned that she had received moth.
ing. The GEAR frownsd and ordered
her to follow him to the palace. He
was in state Of great excitement.
He walked 80 fast that the poor lady
could hardly keep step with him.
When she saw servants, soldiers,
generals, everyone bow most humbly
to her guide she was stupefed. The
guards were about stopping her, but
the car made sign, and no further
hindrance was put to her stepping
into the imperial apartment. The
functionary was summoned.
what does this meant" said the
emperor. "You have not paid this
woman. What have you done with
the money gave you!"
The officer made such piteous face
that the cars anger almost gave
place to desire to laugh.
"Well, your majesty" replied the
man, "on my way home l was as.
sailed by so many creditors that I
had nothing left for this woman.
How the jackets had learned I had
the money l know not, but the fact is
they knew it and forced me to sur
render it,"
The car 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 violoted his most
solemn engagements with men of the
people was severely punished by
Alexander for not complying with
his orders.
When in the heyday of his man.
hood Alexander II. had few rivals a.
a sportsman. Almost every Thurs
day 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 a bear, causing
simply q slight wound. The beast
rose on his hind paws, then savagely
rushed for the sovereign, who was
seated, as was customary with him,
on camp.stool. The men who &C.
companied him naturally anticipated
that the car, unarmed as he was.
would withdraw. They we're mis-.
taken. 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
violently pulled him back and sent
bullet through the animals heart.
Such Was Alexandor'S nature-neYer