The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-01-23
A SPIRITED AMERICAN GIRL

The following is a narrative of an in
cident which occurred in S.. Petersburg
anne years ago, says the Washington
Post. The American lady concerned If
he daughter of prominent individual.
mas for years been a social leader in
Washington, is the wife of leading
statesman, and would be recognized in
SANITY If her name might be mentioned
A grand reception was in progress at
he palace OF high Russian dignItary.
Members of the cabinet, generals of the
army, grand dukes, nobility of the en-
Dire and diplomatic corps ere present.
L. was a notable affair. Four young
ladies-three Russians and one Ameri
can--had gathered into little nook
.creened IN palms and were discussing
French the dowdy appe. rlnce of a
nigh court lady. Some eayesdroppers
caught their re marks and bore them to
the criticised lady. Sho in turn lndIg-
uantly reported the conversation to q
noble duchess, who held the peculiar
flee 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
he personal appearance of Lady -.
You have committed grave breach Of
etiquette, and it is my duty as court mis-
ress of etiquette TO punish you, Olga,
slipper !"
The trembling Olga took off her slip
per. and meekIy received sound pun
shment, of the sort confined in America
xcusively to the nursery.
"Katia, it is your turn. Give me your
slipper !" said the memorable duenna. AZ
he weeping Olga arose from her casti-
cation. Katia took her Cruel with audi
ole lamentations and Tania followed the
differing Kalia.
All the while the American girl
watched and waited. The indignitles
thrust upon her companions reused the
Hail Columbia in her. Her eyes fl ishPd
and her little fists clinched with excite
ment.
1T Is your turn now" said the mis-
ress of etiquette to the fair American;
your slipper, please"
CoIumbit's blood was up. There was
fighting stock back of her for genera
tons. 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 furbelows flew,
Finger nails fetched blood. Gray hair
and the ST. Petersburg fashions of 1868
filled the air. The screams of the
thoroughly frightened mistress of eti-
querte brought crowd. The door was
battered down. The three Russian girls
were screaming in their respective cor
ners. The old lady was hOrS du combat
ant fiery eyed goddess of liberty stood
n the center of the room, waving a tufi
IF gray hair in one hand and a jeweled
hair dagger. with which she had been
trying to stab the Russian, in the other
The mistress of etiquette fairly
screamed with impOtent rage, sh0wered
maledictions in broken French, German
and Russian upon her conqueror and de-
manded that the most condign punish
ment be melted out to her. The matter
was carried to the Gar. Alexander
made pretense of furnishing the young
lady by issuing some order against hel
appearing at any ball for a certain per-
iod, but the old lioerator was immensely
tickIed. He showered the most embar
RAISING presents upon the American
beautiful slippers of every kind and de
scriptioD, silver slippers and gold slip
pers, and finally wound up by sending
her hair dagger set with diamonds.