The Washington bee., 1893-11-18
HE OFFENDED THE CAR.
And the Punishment He Received was
Terrible One.

theatres of the boulevard Of Paris, had
entered into an agreement with the
manager of the French theatre at ST.
Petersburg, where he had the good for
tune SO greatly to please Paul L. that
he soon became distinguished favor
ite of the monarch, recountS writer
in the Boston Globe.
1t was at the imperial dinner table
when one of the guests lauded the
Emperor at the expense Of Peter the
Great.
THAT is robbing Peter to pay Paul, y
said the Emperor, turning to his favor.
lite; lis it not so, Frogere?
Certainly, sir" answered the latter,
ITO satisfy Paul we may rob not only
Peter the Great, but also Peter the
Apostle"
And, pray, why so?" asked the Car,
quickly.
Because" said the actor, paul in
his anger has frequently commanded,
Go and bear the cross throughout the
world, more especially in Siberia
1t was in the middle Of winter, about
midnight, when Frogere was aroused
from his sleep by loud knocking at
his door. He jumped from his bed.
opened the door, and saw to bis
amazement an officer and file of sol
diers enter the apartment.
The former produced warrant from
the Emperor baniShing Frogere to 81
IBERIA. He cried, threw himself upon
the floor, tore his hair and exclaimed
What crime have I committed to de-
serve such punishment"
He received no answer. He begged
for a few hours delay. In vain; the
officer would allow him only time to
pack up few clothes and linen.
Scarcely was the operation finished
when he was surrounded by the sol
diers 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 thick.
ly covered that not the least ray OF
light could penetrate. The door OF
the coach was at last opened-it was
broad daylight. His eyes, however,
were bandaged, and he was led into a
miserable hut, the doors and windows
Of which were closed as soon as he
entered
The officer dismissed his guide and
ordered the soldiers to leave the room
and wait outside. Being alone with
the prisoner he said, almost in a whis-
per: "Frogere, we must now part. !
have accompanied you the first stage,
and you will hence be under the in
spection Of another officer. Be careful
not to speak a word. I risk much even
In giving this caution; but 1 am your
friend.'
Poor Frogere melted into tears. In
stead Of replying to the question he
only bewailed having to undergo a
punishment for an unknown crime.
IAN unknown crime?" said the Off.
Ger. Don't you, then, know what you
have done? Have you forgotten the
sarcastic jest you made at the imperial
table? 1t has offended the Emperor;
you are punished because there was
so much truth in it, You have moth.
ing to hope. Tell me, then, quickly
what I can do for you"
IF that be the case," said poor Fro
gere, Il have nothing to ask
And your money fnd trinkets," re
Joined the officer. "San lodge them
safely for you somewhere until you
return?"
My return?" gasped Frogere; "then
am not exiled for life?'
"Of course not-only for three years
Take courage; they will soon pass
away-and them
But at this moment the soldiers en-
tered, and, bandaging his eyes, they
lifted him into the vehicle, and away
it rolled again.
BY Frogere's estimate, as well as he
could tell, he had travelled three days
and nights. His eyes were bandaged
as before, but instead of being led his
guides seized him and carried him fol-
some time, until they placed him upon
a wooden bench.
At last he heard soft whisperings
and then quick steps approaching. His
hands were suddenly seized and tied
behind his back. In another moment
his coat was torn off his shoulders and
his breast laid bare
Frogere now thought eternity instead
Of Siberia was to be the goal Of his
journey.
'Take aim!" was the command Of
one whose voice he thought he knew
Fire" and several shots were at once
discharged. Frogere fell senseless tt
the ground. He was raised, unwound
ed, and while he was borne along be
became sensible Of a division Of sol
diers marching past him. Having beer
placed upon a chair, his hands were
unbound and the bandage removed.
He then found himself in the same
room, at 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 doub
alternately reflected in the poor actors
face so greatly excited the risible facul
ties of Paul that the entire company
Joined heartily in the mirth. Frogert
fell In swOon.
The whole terrible trip had only last
ed twenty-four hours. The Emperor
had accompanied him in disguise al
the time, and found immense deligh
In the prisoners painful sufferings
| Though used to comedies, it was Ions
before the actor recovered from tht
sad dreams of the imperial farce.