The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-03-21
THE POLICE OFFICIALS sLuNoER.
How Near Wealthy Banker Came to Be
ing Stuffed with Straw.

A rich foreigner named Sutherland,
naturalized in Russia. was banker to
the court and in high favor with the
Empress. He was reused one morn
ing by the information that his house
was surrounded by guards and that
Reliew, the Minister of Police. desired
to speak with him. This parsonage,
entering without further ceremony, at
once announced his errand.
I'M. Sutherland" said he, 81 am
charged by my gracious sovereign
with the execution of a sentence the
severity of which both antonishes and
grieves me, and I am ignorant as to
how you can so far have excited the
resentment of her Majesty"
Il am as much in the dark as your
SELF" replied the banker; ''but what
are your Orders?"
81 have not the courage to tell you"
''Have | lost the confidence of the
Empress?"
''If that were all you would not see
me troubled. Confidence may return
position may be restored"
lam | to be sent back to my own
country? Or, good heavensr' cried the
banker, trembling, "does the En-
press think of banishing me to ST.
beria?"
'.Alas! you might some day return. :"
cam l to be knOuted?"
''This punishment is fearful, but it
does not kill"
.'Is my life, then. in peril? 1 cannot
believe that the Empress, usually so
mild, so gentle-who spoke to me so
kindly but two days since-'tis impos-
sible! For Heavens sake, let me know
the worst. Anything is better than
this intolerable suspense"
'Well, them" said Reliew in a mel
ancholy tone, my gracious mistress
has orded me to have you stuffed
Stuffed" cried the poor banker,
Mortified.
"Ycs. stuffed with straw
Sutherland looked lixedly at the
Minister of Police an instant, and ex-
claimed:
..Sire. either you have lost your rea-
son or the Empress is not in her right
sense; surely, you did not receive such
| a command without endeavOring, ut
least, to point out its unreasonable
ness, its barbarity."
ALAS! my unfortunate friend, did
that which, under ordinary circum-
stances, | should not have dared to at
tempt; | manifested my grief, my con-
sternatiOn; | even haZarded a humble
| remonstrance; but her imperial Mai
esty, in an irritated tone, bade me
leave her presence and see her COM
mands obeyed at once, adding these
words, which still ring in my sars: Go,
and forget not that it is your duty to
| acquit yourself without a murmur any
commission with which / may deign
to trust you."
1t would be impossible to describe
the horror, the despair of the unhappy
| banker. After waiting till the first
| burst of grief was over, Reliew inform
ed him that lie would allow him a
quarter OF an hour TO settle his worldly
affairs Sutherland went and prayed,
and entreated the Minister to take a
petition from him TO the Empress.
Overcome by his supplications, the
magistrate consented to be his messen-
ger, and took charge of the missive;
but, afraid to return to the palace, he
hastily presented himself at the resi-
dence of the English Ambassador and
explained the affair to him. The AM
bassador naturally supposed the Min
lister had become insane, but, bidding
him follow, he hurried to the palace
Introduced into the imperial presence
he told his story with as little delay as
possible. On hearing this strange re-
cital the Empress exclaimed:
.'Merciful heaveni what dreadful
mistake! Reliew must have lost his
wits. Run quickly, my lord, l beg.
and desire that mailman to relieve my
poor banker of his groundles fears,
and to set him at liberty Immediately" "
1.-The English Ambassador left the
room to do as her Majesty required.
and on his return found the Empress
laughing immoderately. 81 see now, "
said she. .the cause of this inconceiva.
bly, absurd blunder. l had, for some
years, little dog to which was much
attached. l called him Sutherland,
because that was the name of the En-
glish gentleman who presented him to
me. This dog has just died. and.
gave Reliew orders to have him stuffed.
As he hesitated, became angry, sup
posing that from foolish excess OF
pride he thought this commission be,
meath his dignity. That is the solu-
ton of this ridiculous enigma.
| TSoos,o