Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-31
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| five years OF age her parents died, leaving
her in 50 destitute a condition that the
parish clerk. out of pity, provided her
with home in his family. Soon afterward
DIR. Chuck Lutheran minister of Marien-
burg, near Ringen, on his way through
the latter place, CHANGED to see the child,
and was so well pleased with her appear
ance that he volunteered to take her under
his own protection. As the expense ne
cessary ~ her support was quite an item
to ore receiving his small income and be-
sides, knowing that her advantages would
be greater at Marienburg than at Ringen,
the clerk willingly committed Martha to
the minister care. Bright, active amia-
BILE, she shortly endeared herself TO every
member of DIR. Gluck's household, and
manifesting great desire to be useful,
she was indicted into the mysteries OF
housekeeping. and rendered his wife val
liable assistance. In l7U2 she vas sought
in marriage by brave and honorable Of
icer of the Swedish garrison OF Marien-
burg-then under the government OF Swe-
demand with the approval OF her foster
father, consented to become his wife.
Just prior to her marriage the struggle
between Russia and Sweden began, and
some authors affirm that on her wedding
day, others that on the day after. Marien-
burg was taken by the Russian army.
What became of the husband is not known,
though il is certain that his bride never
saw him again. At this time, less than IA
years old, she had a womanly appear
ance, and Of slight figure, regular fea-
lures, fair complexion, dark eyes,
was really handsome. Aware that
the Russians were wont to sell
their female prisoners if young and
good looking, as slaves in Turkey, she
dlreading such tate. concealed herself in
an oven, where she was discovered by the
soldiers Gen. Bauer, lieutenant of
Sheremetief, who accompanied the victo-
rious army, seeing her among the cap
tiyes, was smitten with her beauty and
sent her to his tent. where she was given
the superintendent Of his domestic al
fairs. She had been in his service but a
short time when Prince MenchikOff saw
and expressed a desire to purchase her.
Bauber made present of the fair servant
to the Prince. into whose service she at
once passed. About this time, 1903, she
Joined the Greek church. taking the name
of Catherine Alexiewna.
Peter the Great enjoyed nothing better
than To dine with his favorite quite in
formally. One day, while seated at the
table OF Prince Menchikoff, vision of
loneliness in the guise of young woman
who had poured wine into his cup caused
the laugh on his lips to die away. and,
when she went from the room,
"Who is she ~ he asked TREMENDOUSLY.
"My slave" was The response.
II desire TO purchase her, and will pay
any price You may ask"
Il shall be pleased if your Majesty will
accept her," said the Prince, deierentially
however adverse TO parting with his
.'slave' he may have been.
| That very day Catherine went to Moscow
with the Gar. BY her cheerfulness. gen
tleness and mental vigor she acquired
great influence over him, and finally he
transacted all business with his Ministers
in her presence. frequently asking her adj
vice with reference TO important matters.
In 1907 he privately married her. For
several years the marriage was not made
pubic, but her position and pow
er were well understood. Peter
was subject to attacks of despond.
ency, which amounted to almost
insanity, and caused him acute pbv-
steal suffering. While they lasted he
was absolutely dangerous, but even then
Catherine hestated not to approach him,
and found that her voice and touch Gained
his mind and soothed his pain. So she
accompanied him on all his journeys and
expeditions. deeming her presence essen
tial to his comfort, if Ito his very ex-
istence. In March, I'LL, he pulicly
avowed his marriage with Catherine, and
called upon Russia to acknowledge her
as Czarina. A few months later HOSTILE
ties were begun against him by the Sui
tan of Turkey. and he set forth to meet
the Turks. Near the Pruth. a river that
forms the boundary between the Russian
and Turkish dominions, the two armies
encountered each other. The position
was an unfortunate one for Peter. and he
found himself completely surrounded by
troops numbering five times as many as
his own. For three days the Turks en-
deavored to force passage through the
Russian lines unsuccessiully. Then the
Grand Vizier commanding the Sul,an's
army resolved to starve out the enemy
or compel it to surrender. Several thou
sand Russian lives had fallen on the battle
field; their ammunition and provisions
were almost exhausted; they suffered
terribly from thirst. Further resistance
seemed both foolish and useless, and Pc
ter, in despair. retired to his tent. De
spite his orders that no one be admitted
to his presence, Catherine went to him.
and by her tact and energy effected the
salvation If his honor, At her die ion
Sheremetief wrote letter to the Grand
Vizier. which led to declaration of peace
The story that she gave her Jewels and
money, collected from the soldiers. to the
Nizier as bribe is without foundation
The 10th OF February. 17l2, she wa.
regularly proclaimed Czarina with consid.
cradle pomp and splendor. though the Ger
emony was less magnificent thin il would
have been save for the disaster OF the recent
war. For many years Peter and Ca,herin.
ived together happily, but in l724 TIER.
was an uupleasau,ness which led to theil
separation. caused by certain rumor.
,ifec,ing her integrity. However, wher
ne died. Jan. %. l725. it was in her arms
Immediately after Peters death Catherine
vas proclaimed Empress of all the Rus.
sias. The beginning OF her reign was
marked by numerous acts of cemency
She freed many prisoners. recalled MANY
who had not been exiled. prevented the
-xecution OF not few who had been con.
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