Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-20
ROMANCE OF A RUSSIAN
The Interesting Story Of Ballet
Dancing Master,
Who Began ny Marrying n Pretty
Peasant, Who COnspired with
General TO Have Slim Exiied
Troubles In America.

MILWAUKEE. Wis, Dec. 9.-In Angus
1881, August Blandowski, New York theat
rical man, was arrested in this city on th.
charge Of forgery, and after a short trial
was sent to prison for term Of years. Blan.
dowski was character well-known and well
thought Of by New York theatrical people.
and for some time before coming West was
one OF the most successful ballet masters in
New York. The news Of his crime arrest
and conviction, created quite sensation in
eastern theatrical circles
Blandowski was the victim of circum-
stances, and as there were many palliating
features, friends in the profession at once Set
schemes on foot to secure the mans pardon.
They have at last been successful in their ef-
forts and pardon from Governor Rusk
reached the prison last night ard to day
Blandowski left the institution free man
The mans history, as learned by the writer
reads like a romance In 1860 liz
came to this country from Russia, with plenty
Of money and title, though an exile In
his native country he was officer of thu
Royal Guards. He fell in love with pee 9.
ant girl OF beauty, and overcoming parental
objections, married her. She proved to be
unworthy Of his love, being vain of her
beauty, fond Of fine dress aud inclined I,
coquette with courtieis She almost rune
him by her extravaganza, and when he rs,
monstrated, she rebeled. Blendowski W.,
one day seized and thrown in prison. wh,-
he was kept for weeks without an expls
ton. There his general called upon him r
'olt him that the cause Of his imprisonn
was the discovery OF Nihilistic pa4l..
lets at his house. The General 81
that Blan iowski's wife had begsr
hiin to attempt to secure her husban
release anu IL was in response to her re9i.,
that he made a visit to the prison. r
nsrds had been bribed and arrangen,c,
made 70 transport him TO the coast wlar
Gould escape in a vessel to America.
'i"wsk Indignantly replied that he was
sent ana didn't need TO ily like a crisn
hereupon the General produced letter Z,
the prisoners wife, imploring him to fly s.
confessed that the Sihilist documents we
obtalhei through her instrumentality, an!
Affecting language asked his forgiveness
bringing misfortune on him She asked h
TO accept the services OF his General, "
would prove friend, and escape to Amer!
where she would follow Bandowski bur
IN tears at this evidence of his wife's afRecti
Inc General pressed a we'll filled purse j.
his hand and they passed-bribed the iailo
WITHOUT trOuDia.
He reached New York i'll safety. but
wife didn't follow him, and he learned sub
quently that his imprisonment was {
spIracy between mis- wife and the Gener,
Ills wife planned it to get him out Of {
country and procure divorce on the streap
ot MS alleged criminality against the Cove
ment SO as to marry the General
Bad luck pursued him in this country
money melted away until he was obligc
TO take class Of ballet dancers TO
enough for his support. Afterward his
dition improved and he became proprieso,
a theatre in Denver In 1888 the build
caught fire, burning to the ground, and
tirely running him financially. He return
to New York and founl employment ri
former calling Of ballet master.
In 1881 he came here with a pa,i.
Trends Getting out Of money, he forget
name OF local theatrical manager to sew
notes and deposited them at the hotel n
curity for board The forgery was di.
eren ana biandowski was punished.
Friends have secured position for hin,
ballet master with the Michael Stroroff 6,
panY- and he will at once leave the c,tv