The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-28
A FLOGGED COOK.

One day while NJ. Segur was the French
ambassador at the court of the Empress
Catharine he sawsa man enter his house
with wild eyes, infamed countenance and
disordered dress.
Justice, NJ. Count justiCeI" cried the
man.
''Justice against whomP''
against a great lord, my lord; against
the governor of the city, who has just
caused me to receive 100 lashes. "
GA hundred lashesp' cried the count,
astonished. "What did you do to him?'
''Nothing, my lord, absolutely"
'' 'Tis impossible
81 swear to you upon my honor, NJ.
Count"
'sBut YOU are foolish, my friend. -
''My lord, pray you believe, on the
contrary, that have my senses"
''But how will you make me compre-
hend that man whose mildness and i'm
partiality are lauded everywhere would
give way to such violence?"
Excuse me, NJ Count, - cried the COM
plainant. Notwithstanding the respect
I entertain for you, you must allow me to
give you proof of what I advance"
At these words the unhappy Frenchman
took off coat and jacket and showed M.
Segur his shirt, all bloody and sticking to
his wounds.
''But how did this happenP" asked the
ambassador.
"Oh, my God, in the most simple man
ner, monsieur. 1 learned that M de Bruce
wanted French cook. I was out of a
place. I took advantage of the occasion
and presented myself at his house. The
valet de chambre took upon himself to in
troduce me. The governor was in his
working cabinet.
g My lord, said the valet de chambre,
opening the door, here is the cook
g 'Tis we'll, replied NJ. Bruce, with an
inattentive air. Let them take him to the
yard and give him hundred lashes'
Then, NJ. Count, they took me, they
led me to the yard, and despite my resist
ance, my cries, my threats, they gave me
the number, not one more or less"
But If this occurred as you tell me, 'tis
Infamous said the count.
eff do not tell the exact truth, mon
sieur, consent to receive the double of it. "
"Hearken, my friend, ," said NJ. Segur,
beginning to believe the poor fellow, II
will go and make inquiry, and if, as I am
now inclined to believe, you have not de-
ceived me, you shall obtain for this viO-
lence, assure you, signal reparation. If,
ON the contrary, you have lied to me in so
much as one syllable, I will have you con-
Quoted to the frontier, and you may re-
turn to France the best way you can"
81 agree to everything, my lord"
"Well," continued M. Segur, placing
himself at the desk, Garry this letter to
the governor yourself. -
''No, no, thank you. With your excel
1ency's permission I will not expose my
self by putting my foot inside of the house
of a man who receives those having busi-
ness with him in such a strange manner -
Zone of my secretaries shall accompany
you
'Then that's another thing, monsieur.
Accompanied by some one of your house
hold would go to-
'Well, go them said NJ. Segur, giving
the letter to the brave man and ordering
one of his clerks to go with him.
After about three-quarters of an hour
the complainant returned with bright
ened countenance.
'Well?'' said NJ. Segur.
"Well, sir, all is explained."
''To your satisfaction it would seem. -
eyes, my lord. "
81 acknowledge that you would oblige
me by relating the affair
Nothing easier, my lord; his excellen-
cy NJ. le Count de Bruce had for a cook
one of his serfs, in whom he had every con-
fdence. 1t is now four days since the
miserable wretch fed, carrying with him
500 rubles belonging to his master and
consequently leaving his place vacant.
This place was the object of my ambition,
so much SO that presented myself at the
governors to fill it.
"What then?' asked NJ. Segur.
"Unhappily for me he had that morn
ing heard that his servant had been ar
rested 20 versts from St. Petersburg, SO
when the valet de chambre said to him,
sThe cook is here he thought it was the
thief whom they had brought back, and,
as he was busy at that moment with a re-
past for the emperor, he said, without
even turning around, Otis well; lead him
to the yard and give him 100 lashes. 1t
was these 100 lashes that received
"Then NJ. lie Count de Bruce has made
his excuse to your"
"He has done better than that, my
lord, - said the cook, jingling purse full
of gold in his hand "He has paid me
louis for each lash, which has made me
sorry, since it is over with, that they did
not give me 200 instead of 100, and he has
taken me into his service, assuring me
that what have received shall be account
ed to me in advance, and shall be deducted
from each fault I may commit, Sc that by
watching myself carefully can go three
or four years without receiving a blow,
which does not fail to be very consolinG
to me-
The cook remained ten years with II.
de Bruce, and at the end of that time re-
turned to France with fortune of 5000
rubles, blessing to his last hour the fortu-
nate mistake to which he owed it ALL
New York News