Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-03-14
a SERIOUS MISTAKE
How Wealthy Banker Came Near BEING
Stuffed With Straw.


Stuffed With Straw.
A rich foreigner named Sutherland
naturalized in Russia, was banker to the
court and in high favor with the en-
press. He was aroused one morning BY
the information that his house was sur.
rounded by guards and that Reliew, the
minister OF police desired to speak with
him. This parsonage, says Figaro, en-
tering without further ceremony at once
announced his strand.
"Mr. Sutherland" said he, 81 am charg.
ed by my gracious sovereign with the
execution of a sentence, the severity Of
which both astonishes end grieves me,
and l am ignorant as to how you can so
far have excited the resentment of her
majesty"
~ am as muoh in the dark as yourself
replied the banker, "but what are your
ordersY"
81 have not the courage to tell YOU"
"Have l lost the confidence of the en-
press''
"If that were all you would not see me
troubled. Confidence may return-po
sition restored"
"Am to be sent back to my own ooun
try, or, good heayensW said the banker
trembling, "does the empress think Of
bar ishing me TO SiberisH"
'Alas you might some day return
again"
Gam to be knouted'"
This punishment is fearful, but it does
not kill"
as my life then in perilS cannot be-
lieve that the empress, usually so mild,
so gentle-who spoke to me so kindly but
two days since-'tis impossible! For
heavens sake let me know the worst,
Anything is better than this intolersble
suspense"
"Well, them" said Reliew, in a melan
choly tone, "my gracious majesty has o.
dered me to have you stuffed"
stuffed cried the poor banker, great
ly Mortified.
"Y1s, stuffed with straw"
Sutherland looked fixedly at the minis
ter, and exclaimed:
"Sir, either you have lost your reason
or the empress is not in her right sense
Surely you do not receive such com
mand without endeavoring at least to
point out its unressonableness, its bar
barity"
"Alas, my unfortunate friend | did
that which, under ordinary circumstances
/ shoald not have dared attempt. | mani
Tested my grief, my CONSERVATION; even
hazarded humble remonstrance; bat hei
imperial majesty in an irritated tone
babe me leave her presence and see her
commands obeyed at once, adding these
words which still ring in my ears: 10
81 49, ,a NJ &C.
quit yourself without murmur sny com
mission with which 1 may deign to trust
you"
II would be impossible to describe tne
! horror, the despair of the unhappy
| banker. After waiting until the nfs.
/ burst OF grief was over, Rtliew Informed
him that he would allow him quarter Of
an hour to settle his worldly affairs
Sutherland wept aud prayed, and entresf
| ed him to take petition from him TO INC
empress. Overcome by mis- suPphoauol'
| the magistrate consented to be his mes
senger, aud took charge of the missiys'
| but afraid to return to the palace DC
! hastily presented himself at the resi-
dence of the English ambassador and e1-
planned the affair TO him. The amoas-
/ rhuot worry uhtuIhlIy sup PorOu w.
minister had become insane; but bida,ls
/ hip1 follow, he hurried TO the palace. ~
troduced into the imperial presence n'
told his story with as little delay as POE
sible. On hearing this strange recital 'D'
empress exclaimed: 81,
| "Meroiful heavens, what dresul"
mistake. Reliew must have lost his "i''
( Run quickly, my lord, l beg, ard ds'lls
! that ma6mGn to relieve my poor osnA.,
Of his groundless fears, and set NJ
/ liberty Immediately"
The English ambassador left the iog u.
to do as her majesty required, aud on ~
return found the empress Laughing ~ ~
moderately. / see now" said she, Wv
cause OF this inconceivably absurd Diul
der. he'd for some years little dos "
which l vas much attached. called ~ :,
| Sutherland, because that was the pane y,
the English gentleman Who present.
him TO me; this dog has just died. 81 ~ a. .
gave Rsllew orders to have him siDls stun,
/ as he hesitated, became angry, suPP !.
4 ing that from q foolish excess OF 4.
/ he thought this commission beneall TN N
\ dignity. That is the solution y
ridiculous enigma.