Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-14
a SERIOUS MISTAKE.
How a 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 &c speak with
him. This parsonage, says Figaro, en-
tering without further ceremony, at once
announced his GRAND.
''Mr. Sutherland" said he, II am charg-
ed by my gracious sovereign with the
execution of 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"
81 am as much in the dark as yourself"
replied the banker, shut what are your
orders?"
81 have not the courage to tell you"
"Have l lost the confidence of the ON
press?"
aft that were all you would not see me
troubled. Confidence may return-po-
sition restored"
"Am to be sent back to my own coun
try, Or, good heavens!" said the banker
bar ishing me to Siberia?"
"Alss! you might some day return
again"
Gam l to be knouted?"
This punishment is fearful, but it does
not kill"
SIS my life then in perilf cannot be-
lieve that the empress, usually so mild,
so gentle-who spoke to me so kindly but
two days sinoe-'tis impossible! For
heavens sake let me know the worst.
Anything is better than this intolerable
suspense"
"Well, them" said Reliew, in a melan
choly tone, "my gracious majesty has or
dered me TO have you stuffed"
Stuffed cried the poor banker, great
ly Mortified.
eyes, stuffed with straw
Sutherland looked fxedly 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 endeavOriDg at least to
point out It's unreasOnablenesa it's bar
barity."
''Alas, my unfortunate friend I did
that which, under ordinary circumstances
[ should not have dared attempt. I mani
tested my grief, my cons ternation: even
hazarded humble remonstrance; but her
imperial majesty in an irritated tone,
hade me leave her presence and see her
commands obeyed at once, adding these
words which still ring in my ears: Go
and forget not that it ia your duty to ac
quit yourself without murmur any com
mission with which 1 may deign to trust
you"
1t would be impossible to describe the
horror, the despair of the unhappy
banker. After waiting until the first
burst of grief was over, Rehew Informed
him that he would allow him quarter of
an hour to settle his worldly affairs.
Sutherland wept aud prayed, and entreat-
ed him to take a petition from him to the
empress. Overcome by his supplioations
the magistrate consented to be his mes
senger, 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 ex-
planned the affair to him. The ambas-
sadur very naturally supposed that the
minister had become insane; but bidding
hIr1 follow, he hurried to the palace. In
troduced into the imperial presence he
told his story with as little delay as pos
sible. On hearing this strange recital the
empress exclaimed:
''Merciful heavens, what a dreadf al
mistake. Reliew must have lost his wits
Run quickly, my lord, I beg, and desire
that mailman to relieve my poor banker
of his groundless fears, and 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 i'm
moderately. 81 see now," said she. ''the
cause of this inconceiyabIy absurd blum
der. had for some years little dog to
which was much attached. [ called him
Suth erland, because that was the name of
the English gentleman who presented
him to me; this dog has jus died, and
gave Reliew orders to have him stuffed;
as he hesitated, became angry, suppos-
ing that from q foolish excess of pride
he thought this commission beneath his
dignity. That is the solution of this
ridiculous enigma.