The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-25

An Embarrassing Encounter with the Cxaa
of All the Russias.

An Embarrassing Encounter with the Cas-
of All the Russias.
New York Tribune.
ut was cold day toward the end of the
conversation, that /, Alexis Pletneff, sub-lieus
tenant of the regiment of the Chevaliers Gardes
de pImperatrice placed myself in the hands Of
the well-known ST. Petersburg coiffeur DeleGrt
and dolefully ordered him to shave off my mus
tache, the cherished object of so much care aud
attention Alas! there was no help for it. / had
been unfortunate enough to lose wager to nay
pretty but mlschievous little cousin, Vera O.,
who had taken the very mean advantage thereof
to extort from me promise to have my photot
graph taken in female costume
I'm the space of two minutes my mustaehe,
which had taken 80 many long, weary years I'd
grow, was gone, and Deleuri was arranging NV
hair into most elaborate couture, which he
finally finished off by pinning my head an
enormous Reubens hat, trimmed with great
yellow bird with It's beak wide open. had on q
most elaborate black silk carriage dress, with q
velvet mantle, and had it not been for my tall
stature and ungainly movements / could have
passed myself off as by no means Unlocking
young lady. Deeuri and my servant then
helped me down stairs and across the pavement
to my carriage in which was driven rapidly of
to the court photographer, Levtsky, sitting I'd
far back In the vehicle as possible as not "a
be seen.
SIN far too short time had arrived at my.
destination, the ehasseur handed me out of the
carriage, and, my deep bushes hidden by tha
veil, began slowly to ascend the staircase
leadingto the Photographic atelier on the second
story. Suddenly when about one-quarter Of
the way up, / heard door open on the first
floor landing, and looking up, to my horror be-
held the Gar coming downstairs buttonng
his long military cloak over his uniform. Being
only nineteen years OF age at the time did
what many older mon would have done in my
place. that is to say, completely lost my pres
ence of mind. Instead of merely remaining
where was and curtesying as he passed. drew
myself up erect if parade, with my
right hand brought up to the side of my hat i'm
true military salute. The Emperor, considerably
surprised at this behavior on the part of such q
well-dressed young lady, came down the stairs,
stopped short in front of me- stared at me for
about half a minute from head to foot. and
finally exclaimed: What does this meant Whc
are your Alexis Pletnef subleutenant of the
Chevaliers Gardes de PImperatrice, Sire,' ire
piled in fear and trembling. And what may
the meaning be of this masquerade he inquired,
severely May it please your Majesty. have
been called upon to pay forfeit by having myself
photographed in ladies' dress.' Before had
finished the frown on the Cars face had given
way to that ever-memerable aud winning smilG
which those who have seen can never forget
Well, go up and have yourself photographed i'm
accordance with your promise, and afterward GO
to the general commanding your regiment,
dressed as you are, and tell him ordered you Ia
report yourself to him. With that he went
downstairs, leaving me convinced that my mil
itary career was ruined forever.
II hardly know how / got through the sitting
for my portrait. which, however, Levitsky pro-
nounced very successful but an hour later
rang the bell at the door of Gen. Baron HIS
house The orderly who answered the door ia
qured politely: What name shall announce
mssp and was considerably staggered when .
apgrily exclaimed: why. you fool don't voc,
know met Announce Lieutenant Alexis Piets
neff.' The man stared at me for q minute, and
then stufing his handkerchief into his ugly
mouth to prevent his screaming with laughter.
went into the Generals library and announced
me.
II heard the General reply: Tell NJ Pletnen
to come right along in As I entered the room
the General. without looking up, babe me take q
seat until he had finished letter he was writing
! sat for about FIVE minutes At length
he threw down the pen and raised his eyes
Starting up, he exclaimed Il beg ten Thousand
Dardons, madame, for keeping you waiting buS
had understood my servant to say that one Of
my officers was here to see me- There was ne
help for it, so standing mp again erect as on the
staircase at the photographers an hour pre-.
viously, brought my right hand up to the side
or my hat in military salute, and said: 'Excel-
lency, am Sub-lieutenant Alexis Pletnef. Of
your regiment For the sake of wager had
to 60 and get photographed in this costume, and
on my way met his Majesty, who ordered me
to come and report myself to you dressed as [
was.' oh, -! shouted the dear old General,
who was very fat and apoplectic. What! tha
boy is lostn and almost choking he fell back i'm
his armchair gasping Water! water!
Seeing the old man in danger of a &c,
yelled for assistance, tore down the bellrop0
and attempted to unbutton the collar of his uni-
form. Amongst the persons who rushed into tho
room in answer to my calls for help was tho
Generals wife, who, seeing her husband half in
sensible, in the arms of strange woman as
she thought, was seized with violent fit OF ieal-
ousy. Catching hold of me in no gentle manner,
and, with other equally polite epithets, she az
tempted to pull me away Why am not she,
Baroness, am q he, exclaimed /, almost crying
with vexation. At these words the Baroness
stared at me for a minute, recognized me, aud
then, notwithstanding the gravity of the situa-
ton, fell into an utterly ncontrollable dc Of
laughter The General recovered after few
and, having ordered me to remain nm
der arrest in his dining room until his return, ho
buekled on his sword and went off to the Winter
Palace.
Meanwhile, thanks to the indiscretion of tho
orderly. the story of my adventures had sprssd
ike wildfire through the barracks, and withiu q
quarter OF an hour every one of my brother Gf@
ficers was in the dining-room, eonvulsed with
laughter, in which, though In despair as to tha
future. could not help joining. At last. after
about two hours, during which time had boeu
made to waltz or polka with each of them SIN
turn, the General returned and informed me I'm
his usual kind manner that the Emperor BAD
taken the whole matter good naturally. His
Majesty had ordered that was to remain under
arrest for two days for appearing in public WITH
out my sword. and that as the photo
graph was ready was to go to the palace ana
present copy to the Emperor in person. When,
few days later, reported myself to his Maic2-
ty he chaffed me in the kindest manner abeuk
my appearance in petticoats, and was pleased %
express his high approval of the portrait, which
he made point OF keeping
All Have Their Season of Enjoyment
Philadelphia Inquirer.
ssAh Farmer Robinson said his fair city