The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-30
HER YANKEE DAND 5R UP.
How an American Girl Vanquished q
Russian Mistress of Etiquette.
From, the Washington Post

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From the Washington Post
The following is a narrative of an incl
dent which occurred in st. Petersburg some
years ago. The American lady Concerned
is the daughter of prominent public bene-
factor, has for years been a social leader in
Washington. is the wife of u leading repub-
lean statesman, and would be recognized
instantly if her name might be mentioned.
A grand reception was in progress at the
palace Of bigh Russian dignltary. Mem
bers of the cabinet, generals of the army,
grand dukes. the nobility Of the empire,
and the diplomatic corps were present. 1t
was a notable affair. Four young ladies'
three Russian and one American-nad
gathered into little nook screened in
palms, and were discussing in French the
dowdY appearance of a high court lady.
Some eavesdropper caught their remarks
and bore them to the criticised lady
She in turn Indignantly reported the con-
versation to a noble duchess who held the
peculiar office Of mistress of etiquette"
She retired TO a private room and had the
four culprits summoned before her. They
appeared, the Russian girls In fear and
trembling, the American calm and self
possessed.
"Young ladies'" said she, ''you have been
commenting discourteously upon the per-
sonal appearance of Lady -. You have
committed grave breach of etiquette, and
it is my duty as court mistress or etiquette
to punish you. Olga. your slipperw
The trembling Olga took off her slipper
and meekly received a sound punishment of
the sort confined in America exclusively to
the nursery.
"Katia, it is your turn. Give me your
slipper" said the inexorable duenna, as the
weeping Olga arose from her castigation.
Katia took her cruel with audible lanenta-
tons, and Tania followed the suffering
Katia.
All the while the American girl watched
and waited. The indignities thrust upon
her companions reused the Hail Columbia
in her. Her eyes flashed and her little fists
clenched with excitement
Its your turn" said the mistress of
etiquette to the fair American, "your slip
per, please"
Columbia's blood was up. There was
fighting stock back Of her for generations.
She removed her slipper and drew near, but
she held the slipper by the toe. At proper
range she swung the missile and struck the
old lady in the mouth fearful clip. Then
she sailed in. Lace, feathers, and furbe-
lows flew. Finger nails fetched blood.
Gray hair and the st. Petersburg fashions
VI ApOO OhO dus u0 oCI6uulS
of the thoroughly frightened mistress
Of etiquette brought a crowd. The door
was battered down. The three Russian
girls we're screaming in their corners. The
old lady was horS de combat, and fiery
eyed goddess Of liberty stood in the center
OF the room, waving tuft of gray hair in
one hand and a jeweled hair dagger, with
which she had been trying to stab the Rus
sian, in the other.
The mistress of etiquette fairly screamed
with impoteut rage, showered maledictions
IN broken French, German, and Russian
upon her conquer, and demanded that
the most condign punishment be melted
out to her. The matter was carried
to the car. Nicholas made a pretense of
Furnishing the young lady by issuing
some order against her appearing
at any ball for a certain period, but the old
was immensely tickled. He show
cred the most embarrassing presents upon
the American, beautiful slippers of every
kind and description, silver slippers and
gold slippers, and finally wound up by
sending her hair dagger. set with dia-
mOnds