The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-29
sCoorED HIM OFF TO SIBERIA.
How Grim Gear Paul Had Fun Will
Comedian FroRere.

How Grim Gear Paul Had Fun With
Comedian FroRere.
Frogere, an actor at one Of the minor
theaters Of the boulevard in Paris, had en-
tered into an engagement with the manager
of the French theater at st. Petersburg,
where he had the good fortune SO greatly to
please Paul /. that he soon became a dis
tinguished favorite of the monarch. An
ill-timed bon-mot one day convinced
Frogere how dangerous it was to speak TOO
freely to the eccentric autocrat. It was at
the imperial dinner table, when one of the
guests landed the emperor at the expense OF
Peter the Great.
THAT is robbing Peter to pay Paul )" said
the emperor, turning TO his favorite; sis it
not SO, Froxere"
Certainly, sir" answered the latter.
ITO satisfy Paul we may rob not only
Peter the Great, but also Peter the
Apostle"
And pray, why sop asked the car
Because" said the actor, Paul in his
anger has frequently commanded, Go and
bear the cross throughout the world, more
especially in Siberia"
Paul showed anger in his face and no one
dared to laugh or to be pleased with the
actors reply. A few minutes afterward
OLlO OLlpOlOA AOro dn0 0lSll4AbocQ TIC GULL
pany.
It was in the middle of tina winter, about
midnight, when Frogere was aroused from
his eleep by a loud knocking at his door.
He jumped from his bed, opened the door,
and saw to his amaZement an officer and a
file of soldiers entere his apartment. The
former produced a warrant from the EN-
peror, banishing Frogere to Siberia. He
cried, threw himself on the floor, tore his
hair and exclaimed, What crime have |
committed to deserve such punishment
He received no answer. He begged for q
few hours delay. In vain; the officer
would allow him only time to pack up a
few clothes and linen. Scarcely was the
operation finished when he was surrounded
by the soldiers and carried outside the house
where coach was In waiting.
He was then lifted into it-more dead
than alive-while two soldiers, with drawn
swords and cooked pistols, took their seats
| on each side of him. How long the first
stage lasted Frogere was unable to tell, the
vehicle was SO thickly covered that not the
| least ray of light could penetrate. The
door of the coach was at last opened-it
| was board daylight His eyes. however,
were bandaged, and he was led into mis-
cradle hut. the doors and windows of which
| were closed as soon as he entered
When the bandage was removed he saw
| by the faint glimmer of a rush light dish
or coarse food upon board before him.
| Though he had been fasting for some time
he could hardly swallow "a morsel. Siberia
| Siberia! That was the only thought. Fro
| gere gave himself up to despair, when the
| previous officer entered the room attended
| by courier. The poor prisoner felt as if
| ne had not seen that friendly face for years.
The officer dismissed his guide and or
dered the soldiers to leave the room and
wait outside. Being alone with the prisoner
he said, almost in whisper: "Frogere, we
must now part. have accompanied you the
first stage and you will hence be under the
| inspection of another officer. Be careful
not to speak word. / risk much even in
giving this caution; but am your friend.
| Have you any orders for me! Can
serve you on my return to St Peters
burg?n Poor Frogere melted into tears.
Instead of replying to the question he only
bewailed having to undergo a punishment
for an unknown crime. An unknown
crimei" said the officer. Don't you, then
know what you have done? Have you for.
gotten the sarcastic jest you made at the
imperial table! IL has offended the en-
peror; you are punished because there was
so much truth IN it. You have nothing tC
hope. Tell me, then, quickly, what can
do for voul"
Speak for me to his majesty"
ASK anything but that"
"If that De the case" said poor Frogere
81 have nothing TO ask"
'And your money and trinkets," rejoineC
the officer. ''Can | lodge them safely FOL
YOU somewhere, until you returnT
"My returna" gasped Frogere; then
am not exiled for lifei"
"Of course not-only for three years
Take courage; they will soon pass away
and then"
But at this moment the soldiers entered
and, bandaging his eyes, they lifted hin
into the vehicle, and away it rolled again
AS before, he was bandaged and led int
a wretched hut, counterpart or the first
and lighted by piece OF blazing pinewood
The same coarse food was again placed be-
fore him. He looked at the faces arounC
him. None that he knew-none that in
spired him with comfort After severa
similar journeys the vehicle again stopped
By Frogere's estimate, as well as he coulC
tell. he had Travelled three days and nights
His ewes were bandaged as before; but, in
, stead of being led, his guides seized him
aud carried him for some time, until they
placed him upon wooden bench.
At last he heard soft whisperlngs and ther
quick steps approaching. ms hands were
suddenly seized and tied behind his back
In another moment his coat was torn of hi
shoulders and his breast laid bare. Frogert
, now thought eternity, instead OF Siberia
was TO be the goal of his journey. Take
aimln was the command Of one whose voic'
he thought he knew-"Fire| and severa
shots were at once discharged: Frogere fel
!, senseless to the ground. He was raised
nnwounded. and while he was borne along
he became sensible of a division of soldler'
. marching past him. Having peen place.
, the bandage removed.
! He then found himself in the same room
at the same table, and in the same com
. many. where that unhappy bon-mot had
/, ascaned him. Opposite to him sat the EN-
q neror. The establishment, terror. and douo
) alternately reflected in the poor actors fac
SO greatly excited the rsl6e faculties ieioe,
7 heartily in the mirth. Frogere fell In
! swno m The whole terrible trip had only
i lasted twenty-four hours. The em TY re-.
had accompanied him In disguise lisS4 an t tb
= prisoners painful sufrerings. Though use,
: 70 comedies it was long before the actor re
covered from the sad dream OF the lmperia