Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-05-31
Too Sharp For the Gar.

palace at II. fetersourS. II Was
very different place from the splendid
Winter Palace" which now looks
down upon the Neva, for both 1t and
the greater part of the town were Just
newly built; and where the stately
streets and gold-plated church-towers
of ST. Petersburg now stand, there
was then nothing to be seen but a
crowd Of untidy-looking wooden houses
in the midst Of sea Of dust or mud.
A group of excited men IN rich
dresses had gathered around the main
entrance to the palace, and were talk
ing loudly and eagerly But every
tongue was suddenly hushed as
towering figure, clad IN a shabby
green uniform trimmed with faded
lace, came stnding among them as
lion might stalk through herd Of
jackals
Indeed, if the newcomer had been
a lion, they could hardly have got
out of his way more hastily. And
well they might for this shabbily
dressed man was no other than the
Car himself, Peter the Great of Rus
sia.
Poor Sistotf's going to catch 1t
now 70 muttered hard-faced old SOL
der who was standing on guard at
the door. Whenever Peter Alex
eievitch (Peter, the son of Alexis
sets his lips that way, and tugs with
his right hand at the breast Of his
coat, he means mischief.
But Balakiref, his majesty's Jest
er, is Sistof's cousin, said man be-
side him, "and he's such fayorite
that he'll surely be able to beg him
off.
Twenty Balakirefs couldn't do
it answered the sentinel positively
Just You wait and see "
1t certainly appeared as if he were
right, for Peters voice was like the
roar Of winter storm through the pine
forests as he shouted
Bring in the prisoner.
The prisoner was brought in accord
ingly, looking more dead than alive
He was a servant Of the palace, Slstoh
by name, and had always borne good
character. How he had managed to
offend the Gar, no one knew but
Peters face showed plainly that 1t was
likely to 60 hard with the poor fellow.
But before Sistof could gather hls
scattered wits to answer the Gar y
stern question, what had he to say for
himself, there glided into the room
queer little man with bald head, at
sight of whom lurking smile fitted
over the set faces of the Car officers.
In fact. the newcomer did make
very comical picture On his head
he wore high pointed cap, with sew
eral small bells on it which tinkled as
he moved, while his long frock was
covered with broad stripes of red and
blue, and futtering stripes OF coIored
paper
Altogether, any one would have
thought on seeing him that If he were
not actually crazy, he must be soma
kind of a mountebank Such, indeed,
he was for this was the Cars Jester.
Balakireff, Sistof's cousin, Of whom
the old guardsman had just been
speaking
Peter guessed at once that the Jest
er had come to plead for his cousin
and turning to the officers, cried
"Gentlemen. ! know what this man
is going to ask of me, and | declare
before you all that l will not grant his
petition"
Quick as lightning Balaklref threw
himself at the Cars feet, and sald,
loud enough for every one TO hear:
81 beseech your majesty not to par
don that scamp Of cousin Of mine J
The daring and readiness Of the
trick struck every one dumb, and the
officers exchanged glances Of silent
astonishment
Peters dark face glowed like heated
iron, and he cIenched his strong right
hand till the knuckles grew white.
There was moment Of terrible silence,
and every one feared that the brave
Jester was about to pay dearly for his
LolJ,osg Than the Gar smoke.
"a Russian Gar must not break
his word, 80 you may go free, SistoH.
But as to you, BalakireH, begone from
hence, and never show yourself upon
Russian soil again. "
Poor Balakiref, who evidently had
not expected such harshness, looked
thunderstruck; but as he turned to
! leave the room, sudden twinkle IN
b;s ANAL grav ewes showed that he