Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-02-09
DOUBTFUL HONORS.
From the Russian.
ICopyright 1894, by the Author.
BY W. A. ADDISON.

Copyright, 1894, by the Author.l
The Tsar Nicholas was at the very
summit of his power in the middle of
the present century. All Europe
looked up to him and discussed his do
ings with the greatest interest. 1t
was with full sense of his own inn
portance that the emperor repaired to
the white hall in the winter palace of
ST. Petersburg on Easter Sunday, in the
year 1853, to receive homage from the
flower Vt the nobility of Russia.
The tsar, man of enormous proper
tions, possessing an immense physique,
was hasty of temper, imperious, and
an absolute autocrat when necessary,
but otherwise an amiable, considerate
father, friend and companion. He was
ndored by his subjects.
The white hall of the winter palace,
which, after the confagration of 1887,
had been rebuilt and fitted up with I'M
heard of pomp and luxury, was crowded
with distinguished personages waiting
for the emperor to receive the Easter
kiss
Clad in a cuirassier's uniform with
his helmet crowned by the dual eagle,
Nicholas wendell his way along the cor
ridor to the white hall. Half way, his
progress was interrupted by an officer
falling on his knees before him.
"Gracious majesty" besought the
Off Ger, u captain in the guards.
"Who are you?" demanded Nicholas.
Count Apraxin."
"And what do you want?"
Gracious majesty" replied the cap
tain, "allow me to fight duel"
Get up, madman!' commanded the
tsar. do you know that have strict.
ly forbidden dueling? Are you not
aware that duel is a criminal offense?'
Yes, your majesty, but have beer
grossly insulted, dishonored and cut by
my fellow-comrades in the army Life
is intolerable, if cannot have salts
faction"
What has happened?" demanded the
tsar Speak, but tell me the TRUTH
Sire" replied Apraxin. before
was recently married to the daughter
of Prince Vertycheff, captain of the
guard, Jacobovitch, nephew of Prince
Mentshykoff, paid his addresses to my
present wife at the same time as did
obtained the preference, and since
then Capt Jacobovitch has embraced
every opportunity to vent his spleen
and yesterday, in the club, he openly
abused my wife. When / demanded
an explanation, he repeated his de
famatory language, and struck me il
the face. Your ma esty, my wife is in,
sulted-I am dishonored; l must de
fend my honor, and wipe out my wife,
insult in blood"
He insulted your wife?" said tn,
tsar. And struck you, where?"
I'm the face"
"Where is your wifc?"
"At-home
Bring her here!" commanded thu
tsar. "I'll give both her and you ampl
satisfaction. But you shall not fight
/ forbid it'll, the tsar. Do you under
stand?"
II obey" said Count Apraxin, al
though he did not know what the tsa
really meant.
Now, haste and bring your wife"
Count Apraxin disappeared, an
Nicholas continued his way to tn
white hall, where he was welcomes
with loud acclamations Hurryin,
towards the chief church dignitary h
embraced and kissed him, exclaiming
''Christ is risenl' to which the churc
dignitary replied, returning the EN-
brace; Verify So"
After the tsar had saluted each on
in the room in this manner, refresh
ments were passed round, and in tn
middle of the conversation which er
sued, Capt. Apraxin appeared with hi
pale, trembling wife, and, immediatel
behind them, Jacobovitch.
The quick eye of the tsar noted thei
entrance He approached Counties
Apraxin, and led her into the middle c
the hall.
This lady, said he, "has been il
suited by miserable wretch, withou
cause. /, her tsar, declare this insul
TO be both unnoteworthy and unjust