Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-05-14
THE EMPEROR'S FARCE.
THE GEAR AMUSED HIMSELF
I'm A TERRIBLE WAY.
Offended by an Untueky Remark at tho
Imperial Table--An Actors
Thrilling Experience at
st. Petersburg.

/ minor tnedLefS OF tne bOuloVdfu OF
Paris had entered into an agreement
with the manager OF the French thea-
ter at St Petersburg whore he had
the good fortune SO greatly to please
Paul |. that he soon became dis.
tinguished favorite OF the monarch,
II was at the imperial dinner table
whom one OF the guests lauded the
emperor at the expense Of Peter the
Great
That is robbing Peter to pay
Paul said the emperor. turning 10
his favorte; lis it not so frogere2"
Certainly Sir, answered tho lat
ter. To satisfy Paul we may rob
not only Peter the Great but also
Peter the Apostle
And, pray why sog' asked the
car quickly.
'Becaus"." said the actor Paul in
his anger has frequently commanded.
Go and bear the cross throughout the
world. more especially in Siberia
II was the middle OF winter about
midnight when Frogere was aroused
from his sleep by loud knocking ut
his door. He jumped from his bed
opened the door and saw 10 his amaze
ment an officer and tile OF soldiers
enter the apartment
The former produced warrant from
the emperor banishing Frogere to 81.
beria He cried. threw himself upon
the floor. tore his hair and exclaimed
What crime have | committed 10 do.
serve such punishment"
He received no answer. Ho begged
for few hours delay. In vain; the
officer would allow him Only time to
pick up few clothes and linen.
Scarcely was the operation finished
when he was surrounded b. the sol
diers and carried outside the mouse
where coach WAS In waiting.
lie was then lifted into it-mora
dead than aliye-while two soldiers
with drawn swords and cooked pistols.
took their seats on each side OF him.
How losg the tirst stlge laa.eJ Frogere
was unable to tell the vehicle was so
thickly covered that not the least raw
OF light could penetrate Tho door Of
the couch was at last opened 1t was
broad daylight. His eyes however.
were bandaged and he was led into u
miserable hut. tho doors and windows
Of which were closed as soon as lie on.
tered
The officer dismissed his guide and
ordered the soldiers 10 leave tho room
and wait outside. Being alone with
the prisoner lilo said. almost In wits.
per; 'FrOgere We must now part /
have accompanied you tho FIRST stage.
and you will hence DO uudor the in.
spectlou Of another otiicor. Be care.
ful not to speak word. risk much
In giving this caution, but am your
friend.
Poor Frogero melted into tears.
Instead Of replying TO the question no
only bewailed having to undergo a
punishment for an unkuown crime.
An unknown Crims2' said the on
GER Don't you then know what
you have done2 Have sou forgotten
the sarcastic Jest you made al the i'm
perial table, IL has offended the ON
perUr; you are punished because thare
was 50 much truth in II. You have
nothing TO hope. Fell mo then,
quickly what can do Tor you
II that be the case said poor
Frogero II have nothing 70 ask.
And your money and trinkots.
reiOincd ths officer Can lodge
them safely for you somewhere until
you return?'
My return?' gasped FrogerO; then
| am net oxlled for lifo2n
''JfCourse uot-only for three yenra
Take courage; they will soon pass
away--and then
But at this moment tho soldiers on
tered. and baudaging hls eyes. they
lifted him into the vehicle and away II
rolled again.
By frOgere's estimate. as we'll "a he
could tell, hy had travelled three days
and nights His eyes were baudaged
as before but instead OF being led his
guides seized him and carried him for
some tim, until they placed him upon
a wooden bench
At last he heard soft whisperlnps
and then quick steps approaching. His
hands were suddenly sci ed and tod
behind his back In another moment
his coat was torn oil his shoulders and
his breast laid bare.
Frogere now thought eternity In.
stead Of Siberia was TO be the goal Of
his journey.
Take aimln was tho command OF
one whose voice he thought he know
Fire" and several shots wero nc once
discharged. Frogerc fell senseless 10
the ground He was raised, unwound.
ed and while he was borne along he
became sensible OF division OF sol.
diora marching past him. Having
been placed upon chair his hands
were unbound and the bandaao re-
moved.
He then found himself in the same
room nt the Same table and in the
same company where that unhappy
bon-mot had escaped him Opposite
TO him sat the Emperor
The astonishment terror and doubt
alternately reflected in tho poor
actors face so greatly excited the
riaibIe facultios of Paul that tbn