Tombstone epitaph., 1890-06-07
A DIPLOMATIC DRAMA.
How Count SkouvlloG Laid a Trap for
 an English Foreign Secretary.

l AmeflCan. speaking dDOuJ the huSSldn i treaty and the principles involved in 1 the treaty, I am reminded of a good story which was recently told me by a native connected with the Russian legation. It illustrates the remark able detective qualities of the officers of the Russian army and navy, and shows how an important movement in war strategy was made by the use of detect- i've ability on a social occasion.
 ! In 1876, during the Russian-Turkish war, the syn pathies of the English Government we're on the part of the enemies of Russia. At that time there were in England two rival chicfs- namely: The famous DisraeG (Lurd Beaconsfeld) and the Grand Old Man, MT. Gladstone. The former was in power, and the la 5ter striving to oust him out of power. lord Beaconsfeld sounded the keynote throUzllout Great Britain that through the successes of the R,.sSian arms in the Balkans the Brit:I'f interests were in daa ger, while on the other band the Grand Old Man made speeches that ''the Trrks must go, bag and baggage, out of Europe"
 Each and every success of the Russian arms in Turkey so alarmed the Tory Government that it was resolved at last in Cabinet meeting to aid the Turkish Government in arresting the victorious Russians from marching on COnstanti- nople, and negotiations were opened with the Turkish Government for that purpose. This cane to the ears of the famous Count Skouvaiuf, tf.e then Rus sian Am mbassadOr to the Court of St. James, who was dnterm ned, in orier to find out more fu,,y of the nr:ari0us 1e- signs of England on Russia, to give quiet dinner party in honor of the En- glish Foreign Secretary, Lord -.
 Invitations were accordingly sent out, and Lord - accepted the same. Here followed the strange story. Count Skouvaloff, the Russian Ambassador, set out tahle at that dinner party in superb manner, the plates and other aG- cessories of the costliest value. Lord -, being the guest of honor, sat at the right of the Russian Ambassador. Dur ing the repast the Secretary, who is well known as kieptonianiac, helped him. self to the costiiest spUUns, sait-celiars, etc. TL,s was observed by the steward, who, with amazement, informed the Russian Ambassador. He Said that the Foreign Minister, his guest, had stolen some of the best ware from the table.
 "Hold on!' said Count Skouvalof. ''Don't say any thing. Keep quiet, for we have bagged the enemy"
 Tie dinner was over finally, and the party retired to an adjoining room for the purpose of smoking. Count Skouva- loff inquired of Lord - of the truth of the report that the English Government was going to send fleet to the Bos- phorus for the purpose of arresting the forward movements of the Russian army in the Balkans and aiding the Turk. Naturally, the English Foreign Secre- tary had little to say on the subject. On the departure of Lord - the Russian An bassadCr escorted him to his carriage. While opening the door of the carriage the Russian Ambassador was approached by the steward, who whispered something into the formers ear. The Ambassador immediately turned around to Lord - and said: ''My Lord, something dreadful has hap pened, so the steward informs me, and your LordsEip's attention will be called for a few minutes to the ante-roOm." Lord - acquiesced, and upon his ar rival there was confronted by the stew ard and charged directly with the theft of small gold spoons and sait-cellars studded with diamOnGb.
 "Whatr' exclaimed Lord - to the steward; ''how dare you insinuate this against my persona
 In reply the steward said: ''I have seen you put the gold spoons in your trousers pocket, and the salt-ceiiars in your dress-coat pocket. l am responsi- ble for those costly plates; hence l watched you closely. Please hand them out of your pocket"
 ''ViIIainI' exclaimed Lord -; ''search me and your faisehoOd will be branded and for that insult you will pay dearly"
 ''I dare not" replied the steward, ''put ny hands on your Exceilency's person; but, pray, do it yourself"
 ''I will" said Lord -; and, putting his hands into his pocket, so uncon- scious was he of his kiertomaniac pro pensities that he drew forth the gold spoons and saIt-ceIIars. In a comp4a- cent manner he handed them to the steward as if nothing had happened.
 "Holdr' said Count Skouvaloff; Cit proves to me that your Excellency abused my hospitality as a host and committed gross outrage on society, as well as against my person. l have to send for the police and have your Lord ship arrested"
 "No," replied Lord -, ''do not dis grace me and my official position!'
 ''Well,' said the Count, caicu,atinrly, cit can only be done if your Lordship will promise on the honor of Minister to her Majesty the Queen that you, as a Foreign Minister who has the greatest voice in the Cabinet, will oppose the sending of the English fleet to the BOs- phorus in order to hamper Russia"
 To this Lord - assented; and, true to his promise, he opposed the proposi- ton of sending the fleet to the Bos- phorus, and, on that account, he had to resign his office. and Lord Salisbury, the present Premier of England, was put in his place.
 A Grip on Ton1toas.
 The Yankee has got the grip on canned tomatoes, and even if raw car rot is dropped into a can occasionally to