Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-10
FUN WITH THE CAR.
A Pittsburger Who Was on Friendly
Terms With Alexander II.
HIS NAME IN sKOBELOFTS BOOK.
Tourists Turning From Florida and Flock
ing to California.
TALKS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE KNOWN

George Morse, one OF the clerks at the
Schlosser, spent Is months in St. Peters
burg as the guest of his uncle, who was
Secretary of the American Legation. 1t
was when johnson was President, and
though Mr.. Morse was only 10 years old at
the time, he has very vivid recollection of
life in the Russian capital. His uncle was
bachelor and young Morse had good
time.
Mr.. Morse says the upper classes Of Rus
sia are very intelligent and most hospita-
BILE people. Later, when he was II years
old, he revisited st. Petersburg and trav.
eled extensively through the country with
Arthur Newcastle, now Lord Newcastle, of
England. Mr.. Morse has high opin-
ion of the Russians, and he says
that any man who obeys their
laws and behaves himself can live and
travel in the Cars domains without inter-
ference from the police. 1t is the officious
foreigner and the mysterious people that
get into trouble in Russia
Entertained by Alexander II.
When Mr.. Morse first went to St. Peters,
burg Alexander II, who was murdered by
the Nihilists was the Gar. He was kind
hearted man, and fond Of children. 1t was
customary for him to give balls in the after
noon for the children connected with the
various legations. Mr.. Morse and the chill
dren of the English Amba assador were the
only ones that could SPEAK our language
The little ones were taken to the palace by
their nurses, where they enjoyed themselves
dancing for several hours, and at the con-
clusion an elegant lunch was served
The Gar made it a rule to visit the ball
room and speak to all the children. He al
ways had something pleasant to say to each
one, ard the youngsters soon formed a
strong liking for him. Mr.. Morse, as the
only American boy present, came in for his
share of attention, and he says he remem-
bers distinctly Just how Alexander dressed
and how he talked
A stalwart Guardian for the Children.
A lieutenant of police was assigned to
look after young Morse all the time. He
was over six feet high and could talk En-
glish. He never went anywhere without
the officer, but one day he wandered down
to quay not far from the house. A boat
man with his skiff was at the landing, and
he paid him to take him out for q
ride. They hadn't gone far before the
oar was broken, and they couldn't get back.
AS the boy didn't come home at lunch time,
his uncle informed the police, and for time
the entire force of the city was looking for
him. Late in the afternoon, when the tide
came in, they drifted toward the shore and
landed on another side of the town. They
had scarcely gotten out of the boat when he
was grabbed by an officer and second one
arrested the boatman. The poor fellow was
badly scared, and the police couldn't UNDER
stand Mr.. Morse's explanations, which were
made in English. 1t was thought at first it
was an attempt to kidnap, but when all the
facts were understood the boatman was re-
leased.
Mr.. Morse says when he went back to St.
Petersburg with Arthur Newcastle, Skobel-
of, who died few years ago, was chief of
police. They applied to him for permit
to wander where they pleased in the city.
He told Skobeloff who he was, and that he
had once lived in St. Petersburg with his
unclcs-, The chiefhof police said nothing,
but touched button and directed that a
certain record be brought to him.
skobeloff Had q Little Book.
After turning over the pages and reading
for awhile he commenced to laugh. When
Mr.. Morse asked Skobelotf what amused
him he replied that he had just
was was lost. The chief gave them
a personal pass, and the boys had more
liberties in St. Petersburg than they ex-
pected. They had an excellent chance to
see everything in the big capital. In addi-
tion Skobeloff gave them an order to travel
in the second class conveyances, which was
great concession. The frst-class are re-
served for the nobility, the second for the
military, the third for merchants and tour
lists, and so on down until all the grades of
IL e. Il L..