The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-08-16
SERF TO SOVEREIGN
THE ROMANTIC POSSIBILITIES OF RUSSIAN
HISTORY.

At Ringen, q village of Livonia, Rms
sia, on tho 9th of January, 1850 - ";,l
was born, nomcI Martha Rabc who's,
history is so wonderful it sccms ilno
rather than real.
When she was between four and tiv,
Years of age her parents died, leaving he,
IN so destitute n condition that the par.
l'h clerk, out of pity, provided her with
home in his family.
Soon afterward, DR.. Gluck, Luther
an munster of Maricnburg, near Ringcn
on his way through tho latter place
"hanced to SEQ the child; and was so
picased with her appearance that he
volunteered to take her under his OWN
protection.
AS the expense necessary to her slm-
port was quite IN item to one receiving
ms small income, and, beside, knowing
that her advantages would be greater
ut Maricnburg than at Ringen, tho clrrl,
willingly committed Martha to the min.
istcr's care.
Bright, active, amiablc, she shortly
rndcarcd herself to every member Of
DIR. Gluck's household, and manifested
II great desire to he useful, she was in.
Quoted into the mysteries Of honsokccp.
ing, and rendered his wife notable
assistance.
IN liO2 she was sought in marriage by
n brave and honorable officer of the
Swedish garrison of tho Mnricnburr-
thcn under the government of Swedcn-
and, with tho approval Of her fostor.
iather, consented TO become his wife.
Just prior to her marriage thcstrupple
between Russia and Sweden began, and
s"mc anthors affirm that on her wedding
Al hat
ManrnbnG WAS taken by the Russian
army. What became Of the husband is
not known, though it is certain that his
hrldc never saw him again.
AT this time, less than fourteen wears
"ll. She mad womanly appearance, and
OF slight GSmc, regular features. fair
complexion. dark eyes, was really hand.
hrmc.
Aware tn%t the Russians were wont to
sell their female prisoners, if young and
Good-looklng. rs slaves in Turkey, she.
ureadlnG suclt fate concealed herself
~ an oven, where she was discovered by
the soldiers.
General Bauer, lieutenant of Shore.
mcth, who commanded the victorious
AMY, seeing her among the captiycs
was smitten with her beauty, and sent
hcr to his tent, where she was ciyen
the superntendonce Of his domestic af.
fairs.
She had been in his service but short
time, when Prince Mcnclikoff saw and
expressed n desire topurchase her. Bauer
made present of his fair servant to the
prince, into whose service she at once
passed.
About this time, 1908, she Joined the
Greek Church, taking the name Of
Catherine Alexewna
feter the Great enjoyed nothing bet
ter than to dine with his favoritcs quite
informally. Ono day, while seated Mt
the table of Prince Menchikoff, n vision
OF loneliness in the guisc of a young wo-
man who had poured wine into his cup
caused a laugh on his lips to die away,
and when she went from tho room:
"Who is She ?" he asked, tremulouslv.
my slave, was the response.
Il desire to purchase her, and will paw
any price you ask"
81 shall be pleased if your majesty
will accept her." said the prince, defer
cntlally, however aYerse to parting with
his slave" he may have becn.
mat very day Gather went to Mos
co" with the Car. BY her cheerfumcss.
gcntleness, and mental vigor she nc,
CURED great influence over him. and
hnally he transacted all business with
MS ministers in her presence. frequently
asking her advice with reference ia i'm.
portant matters.
In l'oI he privately married her
Tor several years the marriage was nof
made pubic, but her position and noy,or
were well understood. N power
feter was subject to attacks Of do.
spondency, which almostamountedto to;n.
SANITY, and caused him the most ocnto
Phycl2I suffering While they lasted bo
was absolutely dangerous, but nvnn
then Catherine hesitated not to onnrooci,
him, and found that her voice and touch
calmed his mind and soothed his main
So she accompanied him on all his ;onr'
news and expeditions, deemino her nraa-
ence essential to his comfort, if not to
his very existence. ..@
In March, I'LL, he publicly avowed
his marriage with Catherine. and called
npon! Russia TO acknowlege- her oa
ICzarina. ~
& few months later hostilities we're be.
gun against him by the Sultan of Turkey.
ana he set forth to meet the Tnrks
Near the Pruth, IL river that forms the
I boundary between the Russian and
IurKish dom1nions, the two armies en-.
countered each other. The position woa
sl unfortunate one for Peter, and he
1ound himself completely surrounded hv
his own. 10 'n''iiy aS
For three days the Turks endeovor.d
IatOrce O passage through the RttSsian
ines, ansuccesstully Then the Gyont
yl&'er, commanding the Sultan's srmv
pelliSto surrender. VI '"nf