The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-11


 release. In the meantime General Gourko would have finished his cam paign, and your sufferings would have gone for nothing. My advice is to get your passports at once and return to Paris"
 You do not appreciate the methods of American journalists l replied. DO you suppose for one moment lnat' having come to Russia, l intend to De driven out of the empire like whipped dog?"
 This is not the United States, re- piled the minister: but the great ex- panse of territory ruled by the White Czar who holds power of life ana death over every human being In ms wide dominion.'
 And are you under his dictum re- farding life and death?"
 [ NO; but outside of the American le- gation I have no power, no influence
 I left the legation in very dicconso- late frame of mind, for the pesslmlsfn of the American minister had affecteo me, and for the first time in my adVeh- turous life as war correspondent l felt disposed to throw up my billet ana beat an ignominious retreat l had not gone more than one hundred yards from the doors of the American legation when a drosky drawn by three fiery horses dashed past me over the hard packed snow that covered the pave i ment
 A few minutes afterward the speed or the vehicle was suddenly checked and the drosky came up behind me. Look ing round I saw that the occupant of the richly decorated sleigh was no less a parsonage than the Grand Duke Alexis, brother of the then reigning Czar of Russia,
 ] It should be here interpolated that when the Grand Duke Alexis visited the United States as q simple lieuten- ant of the Russian navy in 1870 he re- ceived an official welcome from the cit ies of New York, Philadelphia ana Washington, being also welcomed by the president and other officers Of the government. These official ceremonies finished, the duke went to the far west, where, under the escort of General Miles and his officers on duty in the h. dian country, and under the guidance of Colonel William F. Cody, the famous army scout, familiarly known as Buff falo Bill" he hunted over the plains and did his full share toward extermi- hating the wild buffalo herds then roaming by the thousands under the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. On this exciting and interesting trip the Grand Duke was accompanied by the correspondent under consideration, with others of his enterprising guild. Therefore, though surprised at the chance encounter, I was not surprised to hear the Grand Duke accost me by name.
 Get in" said the Grand Duke in his customary off hand manner: and, as the correspondent obeyed and the drosky resumed its swift course, Alexis said: What on earth are you doing here in Russia 2"
 I made full explanation, related the details of my interview with the Amer ican minister and hinted that I was dis posed to take the first train for France.
 You Americans are the most enter prising and bravest people on the face of the globe, except of course the Rus sans." said the Grand Duke, with q merry laugh, which displayed his beau tiful teeth. "But as you Americans say. the idea of New York paper sending you all this distance to join General Gourko beats me.
 Then the driver of the drosky changed his route. and soon deposited me at the door of his hotel Dinner, bed and breakfast followed. and I was making the necessary inquiry the following morning regarding my proper course TOT obtaining a passport and railroad tick cts out of Russian dominions when q superbly uniformed officer entered the hotel corridor and politely informed me in very correct English that he hac been instructed to become my conduc' tor to the imperial palace.
 What for?" was the blunt demand
 The gola-laced officer shrugged hi: glittering shoulders in true PaTisiar fashion and merely contented himself with repeating his message, adding tha an imperial equipage was waiting a the door.
 Weekly following my guide, l entered the drosky and was presently usheret into the imperial palace. Passing through a series of very cold corridors paved with marble and ornamenteC with statues and bizarre decorations, was finally introduced into larg' apartment occupied by two dlstin eulshed looking men. One of these wal apparently more than sixty years 0 age He wore gorgeous uniform, hi breast being covered with glittering or ders The other was remarkable fo the simplicity and plainness of his un form. Nearly everybody in Russi' who is above the peasant class wears ( uniform of some kind or other; bu there was a peculiarly lofty air in thi mans remeanor that struck me as TO markable.
 No attention was paid me by eithe of the men seated at the carved tabl which occupied the center of the spa cious apartment and as my god-lacet guide had mysteriously disappeared, was rather puzzled how to act. Much to my relief the Grand Duk' Alexis presently emerged from a sid door and approached mo with a genia smile.
 "I am about to present you to tn minister of war. Count MenzilSof," sait , the grand duke. "To him you can ex plain your wishes,' and the grand duk led me toward the table. A rapid conversation ensued be } tween the three Russian officers in thei |, ,natiya Ianp1ape and then I was intro