The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-01-23
A spirited American Girl.

The following is narrative of an inci
dent which occurred in st. Petersburgt
some years ago The American lady con
cerned is the daughter Of a prominen'
public benefactor has for years been so
cia leader in Washington, is the wife o
leading Republican statesman and would
be recognized instantly il ber name might
be mentioned. The half dozen initiates
will remember the incident now published
by "The Post"
A grand reception was in progress at The
palace of high Russian dignitary. Mem
bers OF the Cabinet generals OF the Army
grand dukes. the nobility Of the Empire
and the diplomatic corps were preseut.
IL was noble affair. -Four young ladies
three Russian and one American-bad
gathered into little nook screened IN
palms, and were discussing in French the
dowdy appearance Of high court lady
Some esvesdropper caught their remarks
aud bore them to the criticized lady. She
in turn, Indignantly reported the conver
sation to o noble duchess, who held the
peculiar Office of "mistress iof 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 sell
possessed.
Young ladies, she said, you have been
com menting discourteously upon the per-
soual appearance of Lady. You
have committed grave breach OF etiquette
and it is my duty as court mistress Of Ell.
quette, to punish you. Olga, you slip
perl
The rembling Olga took oil her slip
per, and meekly received sound punish
ment OF the sort confined 10 America ex
cusively to the nursery.
Kstia, it is your turn. Give me your
slpper said the ipexorable duenna, as the
weeping Olga arose from her castigation.
Katia took her cruel with audible lamen
tations, and Tanta followed the suffering
Katia.
All the while the American girl watched
and waited. The indignities thrust upon
her companions roused the Hail Columbia
10 her. Her eyes flashed aud her little
fists clenched with excitement
1t is your turn now. said the mstr s.
Of etiquette TO the fair American, your
slipper. please.
Columbia's blood was up. There wat
fighting stock back OF her for gene erations
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 q
fearful clip. Then she sailed 10. Lace,
feathers aud furbelows flew. Fingernails
fetched blood. Gray hair and the 81. Pet
ersburgh fashions Of 1868 filed the air
rhe screams OF the thoroughly frightened
mistress OF etiquette brought crowd.
The door was battered down. The three
Russian girls were screaming 10 their re-
spective corners. The old lady was hor-
du combat. and fiery eyed goddess Of
liberty stood Ia the centrr Of the room.
waving tuft Of gray hair in one hand aud
8 weled hair dagger, With which she had
been trying 10 stab the Russian, in The
other.
The mistress OF etiquette fairly scream
ed With i'm potent rage, showered msledic.
,ions 10 broken French, German and Rus
sian upon her eonqueror. and demanded
that the most coudIsn punishment be met
cd out TO her The matter WAS carried TO
the Gar. Nicholas made pretense Of
punishing the young lsdy by issuing some
order seainst her Appearing at auy ball for
. certain period. but the old liberator wss
immensely iickled He shpwered the moat
embarrassing presents npon The American
beautiful slippers oi every kidd sud d.
scripiion. .silvsr slippers aud gold slippers
and fibally wound up by sending ber =
hair Dagger set with diamonds