The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-02-02
The Commands Of the Empress.
A STORY OF RuAslaa Despotislsa.
By MARY KYLE DALLAS.

By MARY KYLE DALLAS.
To believe the following story, which
is recounted by French historian; One
must remember that the word of Rus
sian Emperor or Empress has always
oeen q very different thing from the
word Of an English King or Queen and
that whereas liz this case-the British
cabinet would decide that her majesty
was temporarily insane, the Russian
lady would be considered only little
more severe than her predecessors.
In the time of Catherine the Second,
there dwelt In Russia a gentleman
named Sonderland, who, though English
by birth, had become Russian subject,
! and also a great favorite with the EN-
press. She loaded him with favors
made him immensely wealthy; gave him
palace to live in, and embraced him
publicly.
What more could sovereign do to
show her affection for subject?
| Her partiality was so well-known that
the greatest people at Court sought his
favor and feared his frown but he was
a very pleasant and good-hearted per-
son, who thought more of his dress ap-
peerance,' and the effect he produced on
the fair sex, than anything else and it
was rather benefit to the community
| than otherwise that he should have the
col of the Empress. He, himself, was
perfectly happy, and spent great deal
OF his time in writing verses expressive
OF the charms of the Empress, her good
ness, and the amiability of her disposi-
| ton.
One morning he had just finished a
most hatterlng poem In several cantoes,
setting forth the story of her condescen-
sion to a poor old soldier to whom she
| had really been kind, and was reading it
to select audience, when q servant
! entering the room, announced to him
that the Chief of the Police, whose
name was Reliew, desired to speak with
him, having a message from the EN-.
press.
The poet instantly threw down his
paper, and, delighted with this proof of
confidence on the part of the sovereign,
excused Himself to his friends, and hur-
ried to the room where Reliew was wait
ing for him.
The Chief of Police sat leaning back
in his chair, with q very grave face, and
saluted the Englishman as jailer might
salute prisoner whom he was about to
lead to execution.
What can I do for you, Reliew ?"
asked Sonderland, with condesce8ding
twist of his mustache. 81 see you are
in trouble, and it was we'll to come to me
at once. The Empress was kinder than
usual yesterday, and expressed herself
more anxious to take my advice than she
has ever done before; so havePno fears. /
esteem you, ,Reliew. consider you my
best friend"
"Ahp" said the Chief of Police, doubt
fully. "And ] am very sure L have true
friendship for you; but 1 regret to say I
have terrible news for you. You have
utterly lost the favor which has been
yours so long. Indeed, though 1 may
not question the royal mandate, suffer
terribly in bringing you the news. See
how pale [ am. Look how tremble.
Oh, how can / tell you ?,,'
But how have offended?" asked
Sonderland. s'Assuredly you are mis-
taken. The Empress kissed me on nv
j forehead last evening before the whole
I Court"
$50 one loses the favor OF royalty" ,"
sighed Reliew. perhaps you have ad.
mired pretty woman"
| "No, no." replied Sunderland.
t "The Empress told rae nothing" said
Reliew; ''uothing whatever. She gave
me her commands, and bade me accom-
| p!ish them at once. But they are too
Y horriblel too horrible 20
:" Am to be sent away ?" askedj Son
lerland.
g You could be very happy in some
other country. should not dread civ.
;ng you that news" replied Reliew.
Am / to be exiled to Siberia ?" asked
Sonderland.
4" In that case there might be some
| hope of your coming back" replied Re
lew. -.
"Then, good heavens I am tc be
whipped with the knout," sighed ,n-
aerland.
!" You might get over that IT. seldom
! kills, answered the Russian. moodily.
! "Then she wants ny Nfo," said Son.
I lerland "But 7 know her better than
YOU do. 1 will fling myself at her feet
and impiore her pardon. And, at al
events, one can die BUT once"
Oh, my poor friend r moaned Re.
| lew, bursting into tears, sit is wors,
I than anything you can imagine. The
Empress has ordered me- to have yor
stuffed" ~
i What?" cried Sunderland.
Io have you stuffed, /" replied The
agttated Reiiew. Listen, NV poo
friend. This morning she sent for me
Reliew, she said, won saw Is ID.
stufIing O. my favorito HORSE, Who eiiee
last month
bowed assenff
lflee tb ffle fl x tsAxi.
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