The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-01-23
a SERIOUS MISTAKE
Hs- Near vealthy Banker Came 20
Being stunned with straw.

HoT Near = wealthy Banker Came 20
Being STUFFED with straw
A rich foreigner. named Sutherland,
naturalized IN Russia, was banker to
the court. and in high favor with the
empress BE was reused one morning
by the information that his house was
surrounded by guards, and that Re
speak with him. This parsonage, en-
tering without further ceremony, at
once announced his GRAND.
Mr. Sutherland, said he, 81 am
charged by my gracious sovereign
with the execution of a sentence, the
severity of which both astonishes and
grievcs me; and l am ignorant as to
how you can so far have excited the
resentment Of her majesty"
i am as much in the dark as your
self. replied the banker; ''but what
are YOU. orderS7"
Il have not courage TO tell you"
Have lost the confidence of tie
emprcssf'
If that were all, you would not see
me troubled Confidence may return
position may be restored !"
Am to be sent back to my own
country or. good heavensTr cried The
banker trembling, docs the empress
Ais. you might some day re-
turn
Ann to be knoutedi"
This punishment is fearful, but it
does not kill"
lis my life. then. in peril3 cam
not believe that the empress, usually
50 mild, 50 gentie-wllo spoke To me
50 kindly but two days since-'tis inn
possible -for heavens sake let me
know the worst; anything is better
than this intolerable suspense"
We'll. then. said Reliew in a mel
ancholy tone. my gracious mistress
has orlered me to have you stuffed
Stulfedr cried the poor banker,
Mortified
Yes. stuffed with straw"
Sutherland looked fixedly at the
minister of police an instant, and ex-
claimed:
Sir. either you have lost your rea-
son or the empress Is not III her right
sense, surely you did not receive such
q command without endeavoring, at
least. To point out its unreasonable
ness, It's barbarity"
Alas! my unfortunate friend, did
that which, under ordinary circum-
stances, | should not have dared 10 at
tempt. manifested nay grief, my con-
sternatiOn, / even hazarded humble
reinOfstrance; but her imperial maieS-
ty. III an irFitated tone, babe me leave
her presence and see her commands
obeycd ct once. adding these words,
which still ring IN my ears: Go. and
forget not that It Is your duty to ac-
quit yourself without q murnur any
commission with which may deign
to trust you.
Ii would be impossible to describe
the horror. the despair. of the unhap-
py banker; after waiting till the first
burst of grief was over. Reliew in
formed him tina the would allow him
quarter of an hour to settle his
wOridl y affairs. Sutherland wept and
prayed. and entreated the minister to
take petition from him to the en-
press Overcome by his supplications.
the magistrate consented to be his
messenger, and took charge of the
missiyc. but. afraid to return to the
palace. he hastily presented himself at
the residence of the English ambas-
sador and explained the affair to him.
The ambassador. very naturally, sup
posed the minister 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 recital the en-
press exclaimed:
'.Mcrciful heaveni what a dreadful
mistalzeI Reliew must have lost his
wits Run quickly, my lord, / beg.
and desire that mailman to relieve my
poor banker of his groundless fears.
and to set him at liberty Immediately"
The English ambassador left the
room to do as her majesty required,
and on his return found the empress
laughing immediately. II see now"
said size, 1.-The cause of this inconceiv-
ably absurd blunder. had for some
years little dog, to which l was much
attached l called him Sutherland,
because that was the name of the Eng
lish gentleman who presented him to
me; this dog has just died. and gave
Reliew orders to have him stuffed; as
he hcsitated, became angry, srppos-
ing that from foolish excess of pride
he thought this commission beneath
his dignity. That is the solution of
this ridiculous enigma. Paris Figaro.