The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-06-05
IN NPETTICOATS.
An embarrassing Encounter with tn
Uzar-Guyed by Brother Officers.

From the New York Tribunel
"lt Was on a cold day toward the
end OF the autumn of 1879," said a
Russian officer one day in conversa-
|tion, ''that /, Alexis Pletneff, sub-lieu-
tenant OF the regiment of the Cheva-
hers Gardes de PImperatrice, placed
myself In the hands of the well-known
st. Petersburg coiffeur Deleuri and dole
fully ordered him to shave off my
mustache, the cherished object OF so
much care and attention. Alas there
was no help for it. | had been unfor-
tunate enough to lose wager to my
pretty but mischievous little cousin,
Vera O., who had taken the very
mean advantage thereof to extort
from me promise to have my photo
graph taken in female costume.
"ln the space of two minutes my
Inlstache, which had taken so many
long, weary years to grow, was gone
and Deieurl was arranging my hair
into q most elaborate coiffure, which
he finally finished off by pinning on
my head an enormous Rubens hat
trimmed with a great yellow bird with
Its beak wide open. had on a most
elaborate black silk carriage dress
with velvet mantle, and had it not
Zen Tor my tall stature and ungainiy
movements L could have passed my
self OFF as by no means Unlocking
young lady. Deleuri and my servant
then helped me down stairs and across
the pavement to my carriage, in which
Twas rapidly driven off to the court
photographer, Levitsky sitting as far
back IN the vehicle as possible 80 as
not to be seen.
"ln lar too short q time | had ar
rived at my destination, the chasseur
handed me out of the carriage, and,
ny deep bushes hidden by the veil, l
began slowly to ascend the staircase
eading to the Photographic atelier on
5he 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
beheld the Car coming downstairs,
buttoning his long military cloak over
his uniform Being only 10 years Of
age at the time, Ibid what many elder
men would have done in my place,
that is to say, 1 completely lost my
presence OF mind. Instead of merely
remaining where | was and curtseying
as he passed, | drew myselfup erect as
Il on parade, with my right hand
brought up to the side of my hat in
true military salute. The emperor,
considerably surprised at this behav-
iOr on the part OF such a well dressed
young lady, came down the stairs,
stopped short in front of me. stared
at me for about half q, minute from
head to foot, and finally exclaimed,
What does this mean? Who are your
alexis Pletneff, lieutenant of the
Chevaliers Gardes de IImperatrice,
Sire,' l replied, in fear and trembling.
And what may the meaning be of this
masquerade?' he inquired, severely,
May it please your majesty, | have
lost wager to my cousin, Vera O.,
and have been called upon to pay for
felt by having myself photographed in
ladies' dress Before I had finished
the frown on the Cars face had given
way to that ever-memorable and win
ming smile which those who have seen
can never forget. well, go up and
have yourself photographed in accor-
dance with your promise, and after
ward go to the general commanding
your regiment dressed as you are, and
tell him that | ordered you to report
yourself to him. With that he went
downstairs, leaving convinced that
my military career was ruined fOrev er.
II hardly know how / got through
the sitting for my portrait, which,
however, Levitsky pronounced very
Gil FI1i. br1t Lot II
the bell at the door of Gen. Baron
Us house. The orderly who an
swered the door inquired politely,
What name shall I announce, Miss p
and was considerably staggered when |
angrily exclaimed: "Why, you fool,
don't you known Announce Lieut..
Alexis Pletneff.' The man stared at
me for a minute, and then stuffng his
handkerchief into his ugly mouth to
prevent his screaming with laughter
vent into the generals library and an
Hounced me.
81 heard the general reply: Tell NJ.
Pletneff to come right along in As |
entered the room the general without
looking up bade me take seat until
be had finished letter he was writing.
Isat for about five minutes; at length
be threw down the pen and raised
hs eyes. Starting up ne exclaimed:
1 beg ten thousand pardons, madame,
for keeping you waiting, but | had un-
darstood my servant to say that one
OF my officers was here to see me-
There was no help for it, so standing
up again erect as on the staircase at
the photographers an hour previous
II, | brought my right hand up to the
side OF my hat in military salute and
said: 'Excellency, / am Sub-Lieut.
Alexis Pletneff of your regiment. For
the sake of a wager | had to 90 and
get photographed in this costume, and
on my way l met his majesty, who or
dered me to come and report myself
to you dressed as | was sOh, -P
shouted the dear old general, who was
very fat and apoplectic. What the
emperor saw you? The emperor
Why the boy is lost y and almost chok-
ing he fell back in his armchair gasping,
Water! waterl'
''Seeing the old man in danger OF a
tit, yelled for assistance, tore down
the bell rope and attempted to unbut-
ton the collar OF mis- uniform. Among
the persons who rushed into the room
in answer to my calls for help was the
generals wife, who, seeing her husband
half insensible in the arms OF strange
woman, as she thought, was seized
with a violent fit OF jealousy. Catch.
ing hold Of me in no gentle manner and
apostrophizing me as "a shameless
mink and with other equally polite
epithets, she attempted to pull me
away. Why, am not a she, baron
ess, am a he, exclaimed |, almost
crying with vexation. At these words
the baroness stared at me for a min.
ute, recognized me. and then notwith
standing the gravity OF the situation
fell into an utterly uncomfortable fiji
OF laughter. The general recovered
alter a few minutes, and having or
dered me 20 remain under arrest in his
dining-room until his return, he
buckled on his sword and went off tc
the Winter Palace.
Meanwhile, thanks to the indiscre
ton OF the orderly, the story OF my