Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-10-03

| Slan UNIFORM, WIN DOOtS tn0t rCaCu
cd above his knees and an ovcrcOat
that touched his spurs, and wore q
gigantic three cornorcd hat. l rec
ognizod him rs tho emperor. 1t WA:
not difficult He reviewed us every
day, and / remembered that at tn,
review of tho day before no fixed hi:
eyes upon me, called my captain
from the ranks, asked him some
questions in almost whisper while
looking at me and then spoke to al
officer of his staff in tone in which
ono gives an absolute ordor. Al
that only Increased my NERVOUSNESS
Sire" said my guide, bowling
this is the young ensign whom yor
desire TO speak TO.
The emperor approached, and rs
he was of small stature ho raised
himself on the point of his toes tc
look at me. No doubt he recognized
me rs the man that no wanted, for
he mado sign of approval with his
head and thcn whirled around and
said, Go" My guido bowed, wont
out and left mo alOnu with tho en-
peror. assure you l would almost
have preferred to DO left alono i'll IN
iron cage with u lion.
His majesty at first appeared &c
pay no attention to me. He walked
up and down, taking long steps,
stopping now and thcn before u Win
dow with single pane of glass and
opening it to breathe the fresh air
Then he returned to his table, upon
which his snuffboX was placed, and
took n pinch of snuff.
This was tho window of his bod
chamber, tho room in which he was
aftorward killed, and which, they
say, has remained closed ever since
had time TO examine each portion
of it and each piece of furniture.
Near one of the windows there was
a desk and on the desk sheet of
letter paper. At last the emperor
appeared to notice me. As hO adj
vancod toward mo his face had a
perfectly ticndish expression, al
though i'll reality that was only the
result of his nervousness. He paused
in front of me.
Dust, said he, you know that
you are only dust, and that am
everything. I don know how 1 had
strength enough to reply, You are
the elected one of tho Lord, the ar
bitter of the destiny of men,"
He grunted, and turning his back
upon me began once more to pace
the room, and after opening the
window as before and taking another
pinch of snuff he returned to mo for
the second time.
And you know, too" said he,
THAT when l command l must be
obeyod implicitly without observa-
ton and without comment.
Just as one would obey God.
Yes, sire, l know that.
He gazed at me. In his eyes there
was such strange expression that
I could not stand his glance. He
seemed pleased with the influence
that he exercised over me- Then he
went over to his desk, took up the
letter, read it carefully, folded it,
put it in an envelope and sealed this
envelope, not with the imperial SEAL
but with ring which he wore on
his finger. Then he returned to me-
Remember, said he, that
have chosen you out of thousand
to execute my orders because 1 have
thought that by you they would be
we'll executed"
II will always have in my mind
the obedience that owe to my en-
peror, said 1.
Very well. Remember that you
are only dust, and that am every
thing"
Il await the orders of your maj
esty."
Take this letter." said he in a
nervous and husky tone, take it to
the governor of the fortress; accom-
pany him wherever he wishes to
bring you. Be present at everything
that he will do and come back and
say to me, Il saw"
took the envelope and bowed.
II saw" he repeated in a cavern
Gus voice. You underestimate
saw"
Eyes, SIRE"
go"
The emperor closed tho door be-
hind me, muttering the word dust. +"
I remained stupefied at the thresh-
old.
Come" said my guide, and we
again stepped out. but by a different
road, which led to the exterior of
the fortress. A sleigh was waiting
in the courtyard, and we both got
into it. The great door of the for
tress leading to the bridge of the
Fontanka opened, and the sleigh
started out, the horses trotting rap
idly. We crossed the entire square
until we found ourselves on the
banks of the Neva. Our horses
started out upon the ice, and guided
by the stecple of Peter and Paul we
crossed tho river.
The night was obscure, and the
wind howled in terrible fashion. I
could hardly perceive on coming
again upon the other shore that
was on solid ground. We were now
at the gate of the fortress. The sol.
der on guard took the countersign
from my guide and allowed us to
pass. We entered into the fortress,
and the sleigh stopped at the gov,
ernor's door. The countersign was
given the second time, and we en-