The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-09-16
THE LIEUTENANT's PHOTO.


THE LIEUTENANT'S PHOTO.
ut was cold day toward the end of
the autumn of 1872 said Russian
officer, THAT 1, Alexis Pletneff, Sub
Lieutenant of the regiment of the
Chevalicrs Gardes de l'Imperatricc,
placed myself in the hands of the we'll
known st. Petersburg coifeur,
Deleuri, and dolefully ordered him to
shave off my moustache, the cherished
object Of SO much care and attention.
Alas, there was no help for it. ! had
been unfortunate enough to lose a
wager to my pretty but mischievous
little cousin, Vera O., who had
taken the very mean advantage there
Of to extort from me promise to have
my photograph taken in female cos
tune.
lin the space of two minutes my
moustache. which had taken SO many
long, weary years to grow. was gone,
and Deleuri was arranging my hair in
to q most elaborate couture. which he
| finally finished off bv pinning on my
head an enormous Rubens hat, trim
med with . great yellow bird with its
beak wide open. | had on 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 oil as
. by no means ill-looking young lady.
Deleuri and my servant men then
helped me downstairs and across the
| pavement to my carriage, in which l
was driven rapidly off to the court
photographer, Levitsky, sitting as far
back in the vehicle as possible, SO as
not to be seen.
'.In far too short a time had arrived
at my destination, tho chasseur hand
ed me out of the carriage, and, my
deep bushes hidden by the veil,
began slowly to ascend the staircase
leading to the Photographic atalicr on
the second floor. Suddenly. when
about onc-quarter Of the way up. !
heard a door open on the first floor
landing. and. looking up, to my horror
behelj the Car coming downstairs
buttoDing his long NJ litary cloak over
his uniform. Being only Is years Of
age at the time did what many older
men would have done in my place
that is to say. completely lost my
presence of mind. Instead of merely
remaining where l was and courtsey-
ing as he passed, l drew myself up
erect as il on parade, with my right
hand brought to the side of my hat in
true military salute.
1.-The Emperor, considerably sur
prised at this behavior on the part
of such a well-dressed young lady,
came down the stairs, stopped short in
front of me, stared ut me for about
half minute from head to foot, and
finally exclaimed:
"'What does this mean? Who are
you?
".Alexis Pletneff, Sub-Lieutenant Of
the Chevalier Gardes IImperatrice,
sire, | replied. in fear and trembling.
"'And what may be the meaning Of
this masquerade he inquired, severe
ly.
May it please your Majesty,
have lost wager to my cousin. Vera
o., and have been called upon
to pay forfeit by having myself photo
graphed in lady s dress.
Before I had finished the frown on
the Cars face had given way to that
ever-memorable and winning smile
which those who have seen can never
forget.
".Well. GO and have yourself photo
graphed in accordance with your pro.
mise, and afterward 90 to the Genera
commanding Your regiment dressed 81
you are, and tell him that l ordered
you to report yourself to him." Will
that he went downstairs, leaving mt
convinced that my military career was
ruined forever.
Il hardly know how got through
the sitting for my portrait, which
however. Levitsky pronounced very sue
cessful; but an hour later rang thu
bell at the door of Gen. Baron H.
house. The orderly who answered tn,
door inquired politely: What name
shall announce, miss?' and was great
ly staggered when angrily exclaimed
why you, idiot. don't you know mel
Announce Lieut.. Alexis Pletneff. The
| Ludu SI6ICu NJ luC . uluuJC Uuu luCu
stuffing his handkerchief into his ugly
mouth to prevent his screaming witt
laughter, went into the General
library and announced me.
Il heard the General reply: Tell Nj
Pletneff to come in As | entered thu
room the General, without looking up
babe me take seat until he had fin
ished letter he was writing. | sa
for few minutes. At length he threw
down the pen and raised his eyes.
Starting up he exclaimed: Il beg ter
thousand pardons, madame, for keep
ing you waiting; but understood ont
of my servants to say that one of my
officers was here 10 see me- There
was no help for it, SO. standing W
again erect as on the staircase at thu
photographers, an hour previously,
brought my right hand up to the sid,
of my hat in military salute, and said
'Excellency. | am Sub Lieutenant Q
your regiment. For the sake Of ,
wager | had to 60 and get photograph
ed in this costume. and on my way
met his Majesty. who ordered ne 4
come and report myself to you dressed
as | was Or shouted the dear OLE
General, who was very fat and apo
pletic. what! the Emperor saw you
The Emperor! Why! the boy is lost!
and almost choking he fell back in hi
armchair. gasping Water! water!'
"Seeing the old man in danger of .