New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-18
A U4RDSMAN IN PETTICOA rs.
AN EMBARRASSING ENCOUNTER WITH THE
CAR.

at was on a cold day toward the end OF the
autumn OF 1879" sail Russian ohcer one day IN CON
versation that Alexis Plenei u hontenant o tho
regiment OF the Chevaers Garlc' lie rInF eratrice'
placed myself the hands Of the vol known 80 refers
burg coicur Deeuri and doofuy ordered him TO sh"Vo
of INV m stache. the cherished object OF 80 much care
and attention. Alas. there nolp Tor II. hsh
been unfortunate gh to lose a WAGER to my pretty
but mischievous little Vera o., who had taken
the very mean advantage thereof to extort from me
promise to have my photograph taken In female COS
tune.
In the space OF minutes my mustacne WHICH h'i
taken so many weary years to grow, was gone ana
Deeurl arranging my hair iuto most oi'Do' ''o
couture which finally finished Oh by pnning on NY
head an Enormous Rdbens hat trimmed with great
yellow bird with its beak wide oprn. hal on inos'
elaborate black silk carriage dress with viewer mhe'
and had II MT been for my tall stature and ungainy
mo, ements could have passed myself oil as ny 10
means i'll looking young lazy Deleur anu my Scr'""'
then helped stairs and across the pavement 10
ny carriage in which WAS driven rapidly OH TO the oor'
photographer Lovsky. sitting far back IN the 'cHce
as possible OF to be seen.
In ar too time 1 had arrived at MY uestlha
tIn the chasseur handed me ont OF tie CARR 'ge ad
my deep blnshts hidden by the VEIL began slowly 10
ascend staircase leading to the photographic ate"er
Oh the SECOND story. suddenly, when about one-harer
of the way up heard door open the first moor ithd-
Ing and looking mp to horror oehed the Gar coming
down stairs buttonns his long military CLOAK over Ills
nniform Geng only years oi age AT tue iie
/ dia what many Older men would have done IN my
place that say, completely lost ms presence Vi
uind. Instead OF merely remaining where Was anu
cutseying Us passed. drew myself up erect as Il Oh
ratae with ms rigut hand brought up to the sie c my
hat in true military salute The Emperor, considerably
surprised this behavior on the part OF such well
dressed Young lady, down the stars stopped short
IN front stared at me for about hall minute rom
head 10 foot aud finally exclaimed What does th's
mean Who are YOU q Alexis Petneh. shD iicu ten
ant Of the Cnevalcrs GarJos dc rfmperatrce. SIRE
REPLIED in fear and trembling. And What ma! the
meaning he o: us masquerade = he impaired s.'ero'y
MAY pe sse your Majesty. have lost wager to my
cousin, Vera o., and ave been called upon 10 pay
or ei by having myself photographed In ladies dress
Before had finished the irown ON tue CARS race na
given WAY to that ever. memorable AMI winning smile
which those who have never forget Well 20
up end have yourself photographed In accordance Win
70 sr promise, and aflcrward z, 10 the General com
mlDdn- your regiment dressed as You are and t, nun
tnat ordered you report yourself to num- win tha
nc went y n-stass, leaving he convinced that my
military career wac rined forever. -. .,,,,nn Tor n
hardly Know now got thronea inc si,,ine TOT my
portrait. which. however. Ievitsxy pronouneed very
s' cr Tr 'm lis honss The orderly who
answered the inquired politely. what name sD.ll
+ "w%,ilv excl .im,i way you fool, don't yan know
me Announce Lieutenant Alexis Plctnen.' Tue nsh
rcrcI,ei int b,s-ugy mouth prevent his screaming
vita laughter went into the Generafs library anu 'n'
. heard the General reply: Tell NJ Piotneh TO
come along in AZ entered the room tI Ieigra
finished a letter lie writing. sat for about ave
minu.es at iongtl he threw iowa the pen anu l't'soi
In. ewes Startling up he exeiane l. neg Ten thou''n
pardsns, madame. FOR keeping yoi Waiting o"t n,
Understood my to say that Que OF my oncerS
was mere TO rec me There was no help io H. so sl.n
IN up again erect on the siai'case at me phos"1
rapher hour previously. br0dght by rivht nan, uP
10 til. 81 lie OF my hat In military salute ana sau: hA
ceenoy am oa Lieutenant Alexis risho o, S st
regiment Tor tAr sake vi wager nv. W go a ,s
nh ogtnphed Ia this une aud my way met us
yon Dire, ,cd As WAS oh. -" shouted me dear on
General. who very fat aud sPoPscli, MAJ s's
Empeor yod Tue Elnperor! why the p'y Is iJs.
AMI almost choking hc fell back III his ARMCHAIR sSp-
| Water! waler. -. r, ,oras
,istance tore do the bell and attempted 10 n
button the collar Of his uniform AinDngt me persons
the room ia answer 10 ,hy Calls TOT olP
was the ienr rs vile, vho seeing her hisDsn ali Ia
sensible in OF man. as she thohg ~
was seized wi;n vOIent III OF jehoasy Catchlhs ia
of me i'm no gentle AMI apostropizng mr. AS
shameless unK and with other equally ppto rpi.n1
she attempted to pull me away. why am not sno
B.ran, S. bm "A he eXcinim "a l. almost crying wiSh
vexaon At words the Baroness stared at me ior
minute rccog nised and then notwitbstanding tno
gravity Of t,s fell into utterly nnron-
trol.6le 1T Of laughter The tirncra recsvorcd tei
few minutes aud having ordered me 10 remain uiief
arrest n, ns duin room until his retain. he Ducke on
his sword and went on to the Winter Palace ,,
Mean While thanks indiscretio Oh of the orderly
through the barracks. and within quarter OF AZ o
copyulscd with laughter which. though III desI ar ~
to future | coild not help loaihs AZ Las. ISL ,o
about two hours during winch ne iad oesn rna,s
waltz or 10 IA each OF thcm ia turn the Oehe'a
retur ned and Informed III his usual kluu manner .""
ths Emperor had taken the whole matter most .oou
ma nrsdiy Majesty had order ed that ~aS 10 n
main under arrest TO two days for appea ing ia PuusS
without my sword and q at soon as tho phooe
,o the Elm eror i'm person When a few days later 70
ported myself his Majesty he chaned me In inc h,n
pleased to express his approval OF the portrait
which he made point oi seslins