The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-08
A COURT-BALL INCIDENT.
How an American Girl Vanguished
Russian Mistress of Etiquette.


Russian Mistress of Etiquette.
The following is narrative of an in
cident which occurred in st. Petersburg
some years ago. The American lady con-
cerned is the daughter of prominent
public benefactor, has for years been a
social leader in Washington, is the wife
of a leading Republican statesman, and
would be recognized instantly if her
name might be mentioned. The half
dozen initiates will remember the Incl
dent now published by the Post.
A grand reception was in progress at
the palace of high Russian dignitary.
Members of the Cabinet Generals of the
army, Grand Dukes, the nobility of the
empire, and the diplomatic corps were
present. It was notable affair. -Four
young ladies-three Russian and one
American-had gathered into little
nook screened in palms, and were dis
cussing in French the dowdy appear
ance of high court lady. Some caves
dropper caught their remarks and bore
them to the criticized lady. She il turn
Indignantly reported the conversation to
a noble Duchess, who held the peculiar
Office of mistress of etiquette She
retired to 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
the personal appearance of Lady -.
You have committed a grave breach Of
etiquette, and it is my duty as court
mistress of etiquette to punish you. Olga.
your slipper!"
The trembling Olga took off her slip
per and meekly received sound punish
ment of the sort confined in America
exclusively to the nursery.
"Katia, it is your turn. Give me your
slipper!' said the memorable duenna as
the weeping Olga arose from her casti-
cation. Katia took her cruel with audi
Bile lamentations, and Tania followed
the suffering Katia.
All the while the American girl
watched and waited. The indignities
thrust upon her companions reused the
Hail Columbia in her. Her eyes flashed
and her little fists clenched with excite
ment.
ut is your turn now," said the mis-
tress of etiquette to the fair American,
''your slipper, please"
Columbia's blood was up There was
fighting stock back of her for genera
tions 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.
Fingernails fetched blood. Gray hair
and the st. Petersburg fashions of 1868
filled the air. The screams of the thor
oughly frightened mistress of etiquette
brought crowd. The door was battered
down. The three Russian girls were
screaming in their respective corners.
The old lady was hors du combat, and a
fiery-eyed goddess of liberty stood in
the center of the room waving tuft of
gray hair in one hand and 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, showered
maiedictions in broken French, German
and Russian upon her conqueror, and
demanded that the most condign punish
ment be meted out to her. The matter
was carried to the Car. Nicholas made
pretense Of furnishing the young lady
by issuing some order against her appear
ing at any ball for certain period; but
the old liberator was immensely tickled.
He showered the most embarrassing
presents upon the American, beautiful
slippers of every kind and description,
silver slippers and gold slippers, and
finally wound up by sending her hair
dagger set with diamonds. Washington
Post