Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-06-14
From Slave to Sovereign
The Story of Martha Rabe.

At Ringen. village Of Livonis, Rus
sia, on the 10th Of January, 1859, q girl
was born, named Martha Rsbe, whose
history is 80 wonderful it seems ideal
rather than real.
When she was between four and FIVE
years of age her parents died, leaving
her in so destitute a condition that the
parish clerk out of pity provided her
with home in his family. Soon after
ward DR.. Gluck, Lutheran minister
of Marienburg, near Ringsn, on his way
through the latter place, chanced to see
the child, and was SO pleased with ker
appearance that he volunteered to take
her runder his own protection.
As the expense necessary to her sup
port was quite an item TO one receiving
his small income, and, besides, knowing
that her advantages would be greater
at Narienburg than at Ringen, the clerk
willingly committed Martha to the min
ister's cafe.
Bright, active, amiable, she shortly
endeared herself to every member of DIR.
GlHcks household, and, manifesting
great desire to be useful, she was in
Quoted into the mysteries of housekeep-
ing, and rendered his wife notable as
sistance.
In 1902 she was sought in marriage
by brave and honorable officer of the
Swedish garrison of the Marienburg-
then under the government of Sweden
and, with the approval OF her foster
father, consented to become his wife.
Just prior to her mhrriags the strug-
gle between Russia and Sweden began,
and some authors affirm that On her
wedding day, others that on the next
day after, Marienburg was taken by the
Russian army. What became of the
husband is not known, though it is GER
tain that his bride never saw him again.
At this time less than fourtsen years
old, she had womanly appearance, and
of slight figure. regular features, fair
complexion, dark eyes, was really hand
some.
Aware that the Russians were went
to sell their female prisoners, if young
and good looking, as slaves in Turkey.
she, dreading such fate, concealed her
self in an oven, where she was discover
ed by the soldiers.
General Bauer. lieutenant of Shere-
metif. who commanded the victorious
army, seeing her among the eaptives,
was smitten with her beauty, and sent
her to his tent, where she was given the
superintendence Of his domestic affairs.
She had not been in his service but
short time, when Prince Menchkihoff
saw, and expressed desire to purchase
her. Baur made u prt sent of his fair
servant to the Prince, into whose ser
vice she at once passed.
About this time, 1903, she joined the
Greek Church, taking the name of
Catharine Alexiewna.
Peter the Great enjoyed nothing bet
ter than to dine with his favorites qaite
informally. One day, while seated at
the table of Prince Menchikoff, vision
of leveliness in the guiss of a young wo-
man who had poured wine into lis cup
caused the laugh on his lips to die away,
and, when she went from the room,
who is she ?" he asked tremulously.
"My slave" was the response.
81 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, defer
entially, however averse to parting with
his slave be may have been.
That very day Catharihe went to Mos
COW with the Czar. By her cheerfulness,
gentleness and mental viger, she acquir-
ed great influence over him, and finally
he transacted all business with his min
listers in his presence, frequently asking
her advice with reference to important
matters
In 1907 he privately married her. Fer
several years the marriage was not
made public, but her position and power
were well understood.
Peter was subject to attacks of de-
spondency, which amounted almost to
insanity. and caused him the most acute
physical suffering. While they lasted
lie WAS absolutely dangerous, but even
then Catharlne hesitated not to approach
him, and found that her voice and touch
calmed his mind and sOothed his pain.
So she accompanied him on all his jour
neys and expeditions, deemiDg her pres
ence essential to his comfort, if not to
his very existence.
In March, III, he publicly avowed his
marriage with Catharine, and called
upon Russia to acknowledge her as Gar
ina.
A few months later hostilities were
begun against him by the Sultan of Tur-
Key, and he set forth to meet the Turks.
Near the Pruth, river that forms the
boundary between the Russian and
Turkish dominions, the two armies en-
cOuntered each other. The position was
AN unfortunate one for Peter, and he
found hinself completely surrounded by
troops numbering five times as manv as
his own. lff 81
For three days the Turks endsavored
to force passage through the Russian
lines, unsuceessfully. Then the Grand
Vizier, commanding the Sultan's army,
resolved to starve out the enemy or COM
pei it to surrender.
Several Thousand Russian lines had
fallen on the battlefield; :. their ammui-
tiOn and provisions were almost ex-
hausted; they suffered terribly from
thirst. Further resistance seemed both
foolish and useless. and Peter, In de-
spair, retired to his tent r-
Despite his orders that no one be ad-
mitted to his presence, Catharine went
to him, and, by her tact and energy, sf-
fected the salvation of his honor. At her
dictatioR Sheremetief wrote q letter to
the Grand Vizier, which led to a decla-
ration of peace. The story that she
gave her jewels and monev collected
sfrem the soldiers, to the Vizier, as q
bribe, is without foundation.
On the 10th of February, 1712, she
was regularly proclaimed CZariRa with