Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1895-06-27

sian uniform, with boots that reach
cd above his knees and an overcoa
that touched his spurs, and wore
gigantic three cornorcd hat. roc
ognized him rs the emperor. II wa
not difficult. He reviewed us ever,
day, and 1 remembered that Mt tn,
review of the day before he fixed hi
eyes uror mo, called my captain
from the ranks, asked him s0r
ques, ms in almost a whisper wnil,
looking at me and then spoke s. u.
Office +, of his staff in a tone in which
one lives an absolute order Al
that only increased my nervousness
Sire" said my guide, bowling
this is the young ensign whom yor
desire to speak to. q"
The emperor approached, and a:
he was of small stature he raised
himself on the point of his toes &c
look at me. No doubt he recognized
me as the man that he wanted, foi
he made a sign of approval with his
head and then wlirled around and
said, Go" Ny ',uide bowed, went
out and left me alone with the EN-.
peror. 1 assur you would almost
have preferrrl to be left alone in an
iron cage V i a lion.
His mnjesty at first appeared to
pay no attention 10 me. He walked
up and down, taking long steps,
stopping now and then before a win
dow with single pane of glass and
opening ID TO breathe the fresh air
Then he returned TO his table, upon
which his snuffbox was placed, and
took pinch of snuff.
This was the window of his bed
chamber, the room in which he was
afterward killed, and which, they
say, has remained closed ever since.
1 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 a sheet of
letter paper. At last the emperor
10 notice me As he adj
vanced toward me his face had a
perfectly fiendish expression, al
though in 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 l am
everything. Idon't know how had
strength enough to reply, You are
he elected one of the Lord, the ar
,iter of the destiny of men,"
He grunted, and turning his back !
lpon me began once more TO pace
he room, and after opening the
as before and taking another
inch of snuff he returned to me for |
he second time.
And You know, too" said lie,
that when l command 1 must be
beyed implicitly without observa-
ion and without comment.
Just as one would obey God
'es, sire, l know that
He gazed at me. In his eyes there
as such a strange expression that
could not stand his glance. He |
'emed pleased with the influence
lat he exercised over me. Then he
ent over to his desk, took up the
tier, read it carefully, folded IT,
1t it in an envelope and sealed this
,velope, not with the imperial seal,
IT with a ring which he wore on
8 finger. Then he returned to me.
"Remember," said he, that !
i've chosen you out of thousand
execute my orders because l have
fought that by you they would be
ell executed. "
II will always have in my mind
10 obedience that ] owe to my EN-
,ror," said l.
Every we'll. Remember that yo1
q only dust, and that l am every
ling"
Il await the orders of your maj
ty."
Take this letter" said he in a
srvous and husky tone, take it 10
lie governor of tho fortress; accom-
my him wherever he wishes TO
ring you. Be present at everything
lat he will do and come back and
~ to me, l saw. '"
l took the envelope and bowed.
II saw, =" he repeated in a cavern
Is voice. You underestimate
.ww
Eyes, sire"
$50"
The emperor closed the door be-
ind me, muttering the word dust
l remained stupefied at the thresh.
d.
Come" said my guide, and we
gain stepped out, but by a different
lad, which led to the exterior of
lie fortress. A sleigh was waiting
! the courtyard, and We both got
ito it. The great door of the for
ccS lciuliiS W luc bIluBt VI lue |
ontanka opened, and the sleigh
arted out, the horses trotting rap
lly. We crossed the entire square
ntil we found ourselves on the
inks of the Neva. Our horses
arted out upon the ice, and guided
y the stecple of Peter and Paul we
'ossed the river.
The night was obscure, and the
ind howled in a terrible fashion.
ould hardly perceive on coming
gain upon the other shore that /
as on solid ground. We were now
the gate of the fortress. The SOL
Ier on guard took the countersign
ON my guide and allowed US to
ass. We entered into the fortress, |
nd the sleigh stopped at the gov
'nor's door. The countersign was
.~AAAAAAAAA