Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-08-14
The Bankers Narrow Escape.
FROM THE FRENCH OF ALEXANDER DUMAS.

FROM THE FRENCH OF ALEXANDER DUMAS.
The death of the famous dog Sutherland,
thus named after the Englishman who had
made gift of it to the Empress Catherine
H., of Russia, nearly caused tragic mis-
take, in SO far as it nearly cost the donor,
celebrated banker, his life. The occurrence
took place at st. Petersburg.
One morning at aybreak Mr. Sutherland,
the gentleman who had presented the dog to
the empress, and who was consequently
favorite with the august parsonage, was
suddenly awoke by his man-servant.
"Sir," said the footman, 'syour honse is
surrounded with guards, and the master of
the police demands to speak to you."
'What does he wish with me 2' exclaim-
ed the banker as he leaped from his bed
somewhat startled by the announcement.
81 know not" answered the footman,
''but it appears that it is matter of the
highest Importance, and which, from what
he says, can only be communicated to you
personally"
"Show him, in, - said Mr.. Sutherland as
he hastily donned his dressing gown.
The footman departed and returned some
minutes afterwards with his excellency Mr..
Reliew, upon whose face the banker read,
at the first glance, some formidable intel
llgence. The worthy banker, however,
maintained his calmness, and, welcoming
the master of the police with his usual ur-
banity, presented him with seat. His
excellency, however, remained standing,
and, in tone the most dolorOus which it
was possible to assume, said:
sMr. Sutherland, believe me when I as
sure you that I am truly grieved to have
been chosen by her majesty, my very gra-
cious sovereign, to accomplish an order, the
severity OF which afflicts me, but which
has, without doubt, been provoked by some
great crime"
"By some great crime, your excellency"
exclaimed the banker. "And who then
has committed this crime?"
"You, doubtless, sir, since it is upon you
that the punishment is to fall"
"Sir, swear to you that know not of
ANY reproach with which to charge myself
as a subject of our sovereign, for am nat
uralized Russian, as you must know"
"And it is precisely, sir, because you are
"a naturalized Russian that your position is
terrible. If you had remained subject of
his Britannia majesty you would have been
able to call in the aid of the English consul
and escape thus, perhaps, the rigor of the
order which am, to my very great regret,
charged to execute"
"Tell me, then, your excellency, what is
this order?"
"Oh, sir, never will have the strength to
make it known to you"
"Have lost the good graces of her maj
esty ?"
ooh, if it were only thatr'
''Is it question to make me depart for
England ?'
ooh, no; even that must not be-"
'tMon -dieu! you terrify me. Is it an or
der to send me to Siberia ?"
Siberia, sir, is fine country and which
people have illuminated; besides, people
return from it."
'Am 1 condemned to prison ?"
"The prison is nothing Prisoners come
Q ut Of prison."
''Sir, STRIP cried the banker, more and
n lore frightened, lam l destined to the
K nout ?''
''The knout is punishment very griev-
Or ds, but the knout does not kill"
miserable fate!" said Sutherland, terri
fed. 81 see, indeed, that it is matter of
de ath."
"And what death!" exclaimed the mas
ter of the police, while he solemnly raised
his eyes with an expression of the most
profound pity.
''How! what death! Is it not enough
to kill me without trial, to assassinate
me without cause? Catherine orders,
yet"
''Alas yes she orders"
'fWell, speak, sir What does she order?
I am man; have courage. Speak p
'sAlas! my dear sir, she orders If it
had not been by herself that the command
had been given, declare to you, my dear
Mr.. Sutherland, that would not have be-
lieved it,
'But you make me die thousand times.
Let me see, sir, what has she ordered you
to do?"
'sSheha ordered me to have you Stufed!"i
The poor banker uttered cry of distress;
then looking the master of the police in the
face, said: "But, your excellency, tits mon
strous what you say to me; you must have
lost your reason"
sNo, sir, have not lost my reason, but