Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-31


| gratifying I'm sure-whst's the next? Royal
arms. eh-what! Sir Fidus Achates, c. B., con-
troller to the-ahem!-to a certain exalted Per-
sonage with great 'P'), is commanded to ex-
press his royal highness' thanks for the cour-
| tesy and hospitality shown By Mr.. Hobbs to his
| guest. the emperor of Russia. Oh, jubilee!
/ whatr' I shouted, while Dawkins squawked.
why, Dawkins, we've been entertaining angels
unawares: that Count de Moscow was the en-
| peror of RUSSIA" All Dawkins could reply was
Lori which mite in the conversational treas.
| ury perhaps all that was to be expected
| from a lone widow. Its beautiful letter,
she murmured ecstatically she looked at it
as if it were some priceless work of art. ''Lor,
Mr.. John, and i'm 50 affable, toop'
THAT is day of surprises, Dawkins: what's
the next one?" and opened the one with the
great yellow SEAL The Russian ambassador had
the honor to inform me that his august master,
the emperor of all the Russias. had ordered
him to express his thanks to meme, John
| Hobbsi-and would give him the felicitation
| of my calling at the embassy when next in
town, and assuring me of his most distinguished
consideration"
'.Dawkins, said solemnly ''some people
are born great. others have greatness thrust
upon them; this halo of reflected greatness is
too much for me, I'm going to have cigar;
pack my traps. I'm going to town tonight.
Dawkins was looking with q rapt expression at
the letters and did not reply, and when L
looked into the room about half an hour after
ward she was sitting in my chair holding the
letter with the yellow seal upside down, while
she looked like some inspired old sybil she
family murmured, "Wot beautiful letter.
.Dawkins!" She jumped up and yelped.
III go and pack now, directly. Mr.. John, and
she scurried off. 'Let us not be pulled up,
Dawkinsw l shouted severely after her.
OF course wrote at once a letter of thanks
to Lord Monteroi and one to the exalted per-
sonage, saying was proud and glad. and that
1 looked on the day one to be marked with
white stone generally; and then 1 began to
wonder what the Russian ambassador
wanted The car was going to Denmark
after the following week, and would be
absent from Russia some months,
knew. "Oh, WELL her majesty won't let her
subjects wear foreign orders" thoughS; per
haps he's going to give me the order of the
diamond snuff box; however, here goes and
wrote polite reply, also assuring the Russian
ambassador of my-JOhn Hobbs.-most dis
tinguished consideration, and that / would do
myself the honor-that's the phrase l thought
of calling on the following Monday. wasn't
sure whether "give myself the felicitation"
didn't sound prettier, but it sounded too much
like you're another" SO l let the first phrase
slide.
While Dawkins was packing strolled down
to the village post Office to send off the letters.
On my way saw my page, Billy, with deep
ly-interested posse of village boys around him.
They were far too absorbed to notice me; so,
as had before had experiences of Billy's
hedge and listened: We'll. as 1 was sayin
Billy seq the emperor of Russia to me, yer
country orter be proud o. SIGH noble
lookin' lad as you, it's boys like you wot grows
inter them fine sojers wot give my best troopses
SIGH a llckln at Serbasterpool," and he sorter
signs like, and 1 felt sorry for i'm. Il don't
want to bride yer, Billy seq the czar to me,
not to do yer dooty, but 'eres arr a suvrin not
ter ever fight agin my folkses if yer
can see yer way outer it, an gives the en-
peror my and on it," and the young scamp
produced half sovereign, the first he had ever
owned, and which the car had given him, as a
confirmation strong as holy writ of his story,
which was devoutly believed by his listeners.
IF that boy goes on as he is beginning he'll be
magazine editor one day; he's too good to be
an author" was my mental comment, for 1
hadn't the heart to disturb him; and when got
home there he was, as innocent as any lamb.
After reaching London that night l dined
with the honorable Sam at the Oxford and
Cambridge club and made his eyes bulge at the
tale told him.
.'Monteroi told me to ask you to dinner" he
said, but he left it to you to tell me the reason
and told me to bring you north for the shoot
ing. Look here, / want some. Go and see the
Russian ambassador on Monday; today is Sat-
urday, and we'll go north Tuesday" This pro-
posal exactly suited me, as should not be in
funds for about six weeks, when my March
dividends would fall due, SO l closed with the
offer at once, intending then to 60 for a spring
continental trip. And the following Monday, in
gloritied apparel, was walking up the steps of
the Russian embassy. A dapper little attache
welcomed me avec effusion. as tle French
say. His excellency the ambassador would be
charmed to know me-" was glad to hear it
as long as he did not embrace me- But he
knew English ways, and when we we're seated
and alone he began
1.-The car enjoyed himself very much, Mr.
Hobbs; in fact, he quoted to me the saying of
the late Emperor Napoleon, that there are few
lives more enjoyable or desirable than that of
an English country gentleman. He has desired
me to say that he will be always glad to do you
any service, should you require it; meanwhile
he has commanded me to give you this pass
port" and, opening drawer, he took out
fat silver case. On opening it he produced
roll of prepared thin Russian leather. In the
center was copy of the portrait had given
the emperor, photographed on the leather;
above was Russian inscription, saying + was
the guest of the Russian empire, and desiring
all officials to show me every courtesy and
kindness; then followed the ordinary passport
form with blanks for personal description,
which his excellency then filled up; and,
finally. below the photograph were several lines
of cypher.
There, Mr.. Hobbs, if you will let me know
when you take your next trip to Russia Count
Labinski shall be in attendance to meet you at
st. Petersburg. You will be put to no ex-
pense, but be the guest of the car and the
Russian nation so long as you please to prolong
your visit"
This was imperial hospitality, indeed. II
was touched and gratifed, and bowed pro-
foundly while l begged the ambassador to
transmit my warmest and most respectful
thanks to the car; and, finally at his excel
lency's smiling suggestion, made an appoint
ment to go by steamer directly from England
and be met by Count Labinski at St. Peters
burg early in April
And after pleasant months visit to Lord
Monteroi, and hurried run to the country. to
put Mrs. Dawkins in funds and give her final
Instructions for the couple of months In
tended to be away, and to learn, among other
''small beer" that Billy had gained the Sunday
school prize for truthfulness. l sailed for st.
Petersburg, where Count Labinski had been
notified to meet me. The car would be
absent all the time, and was rather glad as I
dreaded the stiff etiquette and formality of
the court, and wished if possible, to see the
interior of Russian life, and study their man
ners and customs, and perhaps, later, write a
book. saw rather more than l wanted to
before had finished, and, most emphatically.
/ shall not write book.
The first indications 1 saw Of the capital
as we came up the Neva, were a long
golden spire like a needle-or, when the sun is
shining on it, like distant rocket, and a large
golden dome like balloon. The needle-like
spire adorns the admiralty. the ball of gold is
the center cupola of st. Isaac's cathedral and
for at least half an hour the steeple and dome
are all that can be of st. Petersburg
they seem to belong to nothing, and to be float
ing in mid air. Hardly had we warped along
side the wharf before Count Labinski tripped