St. Paul daily globe., 1885-12-16
TAGLIONI's ADVENTURE.
How the Great Dances Danced Ous
of a Dilemma.

of a Dilemma.
LIE Figaro.
Among the numerous bands of highway
robbers which were the nightmare of all
travellers during the first third of the pres
ent century, there was one which had ac-
quired special renown in Russia 1t was
commanded by chief named Trchka,
who had resigned his position as overseer
in the employ of Prince Paskiewiez for the
more lucrative trade of stage robber. He
was an intelligent fellow. quite polite in
his manners who spoke both French and
German tolerably well. and added to these
| requirements the special accomplishment
! of being an excellent dancer.
Far from bothering poor folks; he aided
| them OF his own accOrd-as for the rich.
he knew how to act the prince with them,
and although he went so far as to politely
ask permission to share with them the con-
tents of their pocketbOoks he never pre-
sumed further.
| He died a natural death, without having
ever been caught by the police and with a
tolerabe quiet conscience; for he had not
only never killed any one. but he had never
even so much as malrreated any of those
whom his profession obliged him to hold
prisoners until ransOmed.
He obtained such notoriety that his ex-
ploits formed a subject of conversation. not
merely in the saloons of st. Petersburg,
but also in the police Offices where he was
known as 1.-The gentleman robber."
One OF his contemporaries, General
Krenke. recently told the following story
about Trichka:
| The theatrical season of 1S24-I925 had
been an unusually brilliant one at the
Italian opera in st. Petersburg. The cele-
brated dancer Taglioni had displayed all
| her talent there before an enthusiastic
multitude; and the imperial family had
been present at every one Of the perform
ances of this wonderful artist-then in all
the splendor of her beauty.
| People came from every direction to see
her, and quite number of the rich in
habitants of Moscow had not hesitated to
undertake journey of 100 leagues in
sledges in order to applaud the charming
| stranger.
Needless to state that besides the braves
W hch she received each evening, Tagloni
had gathered perfect harvest of rich
gifts. The emperor himself had ordered
to be sent to her, as mark of his admira-
| ton, supurb necklace of the finest
pearls.
| Accordingly it came to pass that when
at the end of March. the opera house
closed its gates for the Lenten season. the
young dancer found herself in possession of
veritable fortune in presents, as well as
in money.
| She left st. Petersburg during the early
| part of April, and was escorted to dis
tance of about twenty miles from the city
! by great number of her admirers.
She had hired two great travelling
| onqPhQS ha
six horses. One of these she occupied her
self, together with four of her comrades
two women and two men (the men being
musicians) and the other was occupied
solely by the baggage.
| At the first relay station, after leaving
| the city of Pskoff, the postmaster warned
| Taglioni that Trichkas band had been
seen on the Dunaburg road; that he ad-
vised her, in case she should meet the
famous brigand to keep as cool as possible
| by doing which she might get off very
lightly.
Next night. in the middle of a forest,
while company of his men barred the
| way, Trchka suddenly opened the door
asked:
"Whom have 1 the honor of meetiag to-
night?"
Il am the dancer Taglioni," replied the
young artist; land these persons here are
| my trav.lng companions"
''Ah! delightfuI!'' cried Trichka,
''chance sometimes reserves the most
| agreeable surprises for us. 1t was i'm
possible for me to go to see you dance at
the opera:-and here find you at the
proper time, incompatible sartist!---here,
where l can have the honor of appreciating
your talent with my own eyes, and Of
according you my own poor share of ap-
plause "
For" he continued, taking off his hat
| as he spoke. Il trust you will honor US,
---my brave companions and myself,--by
now dancing for US few of your most
celebrated dances?"
| "What!---you want me to dance for you
out thereon that road?"
''Alas! mademoiselle, it must be so,--
| since have no sumptuous drawing-room
to place at your disposal. Still, if you find
| it impossible to thus oblige me- shall be
| under the painful necessity of confscating
your carriages and all your baggage, and
leaving you to find your own way on foot,
as best you can, to the next station"
''But, monsieur" exclaimed Taglioni, in
tone of supplication, ''be at least justI
| How can you possibly expect me to dance
in the middle of that mud?'
! 20. mademoisele!---d not let that be an
| obstacle. You must certainly have some
carpets among your effects; and my brave
companions will be only too happy to have
the pleasure of spreading them upon the
road for you."
-
Finding that she would only waste her
eloquence in any attempt to induce
Trichka to abandon his purpose. Taglioni
leaped lightly to the ground--preferring to
perform what was asked of her than to lose
all her baggage and the financial results Of
! her opera season as well.
/ While Trckhas men spread out great
! carpet over the highway, the two musicians
who accompanied the dance began to tune
up their instru mentS-a harp and a
violin.
Then, when all was ready, Taglioni
! bounded forward. and for more than
quarter of an hour. by the pale light of the
t moon, she performed several of her favor
! ite dances, with as much grace and spirit
as if she were dancing before the imperial
loge.
Trichka was utterly astonished, and as
he assisted the artist back to her coach. he
thanked her with sincere effusion, and re-
| spectfully kissed her hand, declaring over
and over again-at least twenty times
THAT she had just made him pass the
most delightful moment OF his whole life.
| A moment later the celebrated bandit re-
tired into the forest, still under the inn
preston of the spectacle he had enjoyed
free of charge: and TarliOni continued her