The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-01-21
TAGLIONPS ADVENTURE.

Among the numerous bands of high
way robbers which were the nightmare
of all travellers. during the first third
of the present century, says a transla-
ton from the Paris Figaro in the New
which had acquired special reno'wn. m
| Russia. 1t was commanded by "a chief
named Triellka, who had resigned his
| position as aTerseer in the employ of
|. Prince FaskiewieZ for the more lucrative
trade of stage-rotlber. He was an in
/ te1ligent fellow, g ute polite. in his man
ners, who spoke both French and Ger
| man tolerably well, and added to these
| requirements the special accomplish
ment 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 contents of their pocket
books, he never presumed further.
He died a natural death, without hav-
ing ever been caught by the police, and
with tolerably quiet conscience, for
he had not only never killed anyone, but
he had never even so1nuch as maltreat-
ed any of those whom his profession
obliged him to hold prisoners until ran
somed.
He obtained such notoriety that his
exploits formed subject of converse
ton. not merely in the salons of st. Pc
tersburg, but also in the police offices,
| where he was known as ''the gentleman
robber"
hnn IF hrS tf,,orN .1,.ID
| Krenke, recently told the following sto-
ry about Trchka:
The theatrical season of 1S24-25 had
been an unusually brilliant one at the
Italian opera in St. Petersburg. The
celebrated dancer Taglioni, had dis
played all her talent there before an en-
thusiastic multitude, and the imperial
family had been present at every one
| OF the performances 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
| inhabitants of Moscow had not hesitated
10 undertake a journey of 160 leagues in
sledges, in order to applaud the charm
ing stranger.
Needless to state that besides the
| bravos which she received each evening,
Tagiioni had rather Il perfect harvest OF
rich gifts. The emperor himself had
| ordered to be sent to her, us a mark OF
his admiration, superb 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 pos
session of veritable fortune in presents,
as well as in money.
She left st. Petersburg during the
early part of April, and was escorted for
a distance of about twenty miles from
the city by great number of her ad-
mirers.
She had hired two great travelling
coaches for the voyage-each drawn by
six horses. One of these she occupied
herself, together with four of her COM
rades,-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 Trichka' S band had been
seen on the Dunaburg road, and he ad-
vised her, in case she should meet the
famous brigand, to keep as cool as pos
sible, by doing which she might get of
very lightly.
Next night, in the middle of forest,
while company of his men barred the
way, Trichka suddenly opened the door
of the coach and, addressing the travel
ers, asked:
"Whom have the honor of meeting
tonight"
Il am the dancer Taglioni," replied
the young artist. "and these persons
here are my travelling companions"
''Ah! delightful cried Trichka.
"chance sometimes reverses the most
agreeable surprise for us. 1t was i'm
possible for me TO 90 to see you dance at
the opera, and here find you, Just at
the proper time, Incompatible artist
here, where | can have the honor of ap-
preciating your talent with my own
eyes, and of according you my own poor
share of applause.
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 a few of you1
most celebrated dances?"
''What. you want me to dance for you
out thereon that roadl'
Alas, mademoiselle, it must be So
since | have no sumptuous drawing
room to place at your disposal. Still, il
you find it impossible to thus oblige me
| shall be under the painful necessity
OF contiscating your carriages and al
your baggage, and leaving you all tc
find your own way.o foot, as best yor
can, to the next station"
But, monsieur exclaimed Taglioni
in tone of supplication. ''be at leas
iust!-hOw can you possibly expect m(
to dance III the middle of that mudo"
%, mademoiselle, do not let that b(
an obstacle. You must certainly have
some carpets among your effects, anC
my brave companions will be only toe
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, Tag
iioni leaped lightly to the ground. pre-
forring to perform what was asked o
her than to lose all her baggage anC
the financial results of her opera season
as well.
While Trichka's men spread out /;
great carpet over the highway, and TIVE
musicians who accompanied the dance
began to tune up their Instruments;
harp and Il violin.
Then, when all was ready, Taglion
bounded forward, and for more than /;
quarter of an hour. by the pale light o
the moon, she performed several of he
favorite dances with as much grace anC
spirit as if she was dancing before th'
imperial loge.
Trichka was utterly astonished, an(
as he assisted the artist back to he
coach he thanked her with sincere effu
sion and respectfully kissed her hand
declaring over and over again-at leas
twenty times that she had just mad
him pass the most delightful moment 0
his whole life.
A moment later the celebrated bandi
retired into the forest, still under tn
impression of the spectacle he had en-
loved free of charge. and Taolioni con