The Washington bee., 1893-09-02
HE OFFENDED THE CAR.
And the Punishment He Received was
"A Terrible One

theatres of the boulevard of Paris, ha
entered into an agreement with th
manager of the French theatre at ~
Petersburg. where he had the good fof
tune so greatly to please Paul L. Iha
he soon became distinguished FAVOR
lite of the monarch, recounts write
in the Boston Globe.
Ii was at the imperial dinner taDl'
when one of the guests lauded tii'
Emperor at the expense OF felef lh'
Great D,,,
That is robbing Peter to pay Paul,
said the Emperor, turning 10 hls lafoA
ite: lis it not SO, Frogere!
Certainly, sir," answered the ialtei'
ITO satisfy Paul we may rop not only
Peter the Great but also Feter the
Apostle" ru,r
quickly. , IN
Because" said the actor, Paul ln
his anger has frequently commandeu,
GO and bear the cross throughout Tue
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.
onenad the door. and saw to his
anaznment 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 l 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 a few clothes and linen.
Scarcely was the operation finished
when he was surrounded by the sol
diers and carried outside the house,
where a 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
iy covered that not the least ray of
light could penetrate. The door or
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 word. / risk much even
in giving this caution; but / 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.
An 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 | can do for you"
IF that be the case" said moor Fro
gere, Il have nothing to ask
And your money and trinketS," re-
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 then''-
But at this moment the soldiers en-
tered, and, bandaging his eyes, they
lifted him into the vehicle, and away
it rolled again
BY Fr0gere'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 for
some time. until they placed him upon
wooden bench
At last he heard soft whisperings,
and then quick steps approaching. His
hands were suddenly seiZe0 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 aimr' was the command of
one whose voice he thought he knew
Fire! and several shots We're at once
discharged. Frogere fell senseIess to
the ground. He was raised, unwound-
ed. and while he was borne along he
became sensible of a division Of sol
dierS marching past him. Having been
placed upon 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
bonmot had escaped him. Opposite
to him sat the Emperor.
The astoniShment, terror and doubt
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. Frogere
fell In q swoon.
The whole terrible trip had only last
cd twenty-fOur hours. The Emperor
had accompanied him in disguise all
the time. and found immense delight
in the prisoners painful sufferings
Though used 10 comedies. it was long
before the actor recovered from the
sad dreams of the imperial farce.
Pepper and Birds.
An eminent PruSsian ornithologist
who has hApn maxine pynarip,op+S