New-York tribune., 1908-04-06
S2,OOO,OOO FOR A STORY
Counts Ar7lUal Recalls Conditions
of the Coming Competition.

Copyright 1908. by the Brentwood Comnsnv1
count Vladimir Sergevitch Kutuzofr. who has Just
arrived In America with wife far older than him
self and of far -nferor birth 10 ion the Dulbobor
colony IN Canada, which is source of so much
trouble to the Dominion authorities belongs to
Aailiy or great power and influence in Russia but
which was founded by the barber of the crazy
emperor Paul. The barber was shrewd and
clever man, who was wont to entertain his i'm
perlai master TO such extent with the gossp
oL SI. petersburg while occupied in shaving him
that Paul became convinced that the man was far
DETER ntted to act as his adviser and confdant
than any OF the statesmen in his service Accord
Ihs4y ne promoted him from dignity to an
oIher until the ex-barber became a count of the
empire minister of state, general in the army
ana posSeSsor Of vast estates After the assassna-
ton Of Paul, with the consent and cognizance of
at least two of that monarchs sons all those who
mad been devoted to him were sent into exile, and
Count Kutuzoff like Others was forced TO turn his
steps in the ~direction of Siberia. Emperor Alex
ander I, in spite OF the role which he played in
connection with hts fathers death, was on the
Whole humane man, and finding that the count
had done nothing very wrong, and that his chief
offence in the eyes of the and Of the aristoc-
racy consisted Of his amazing elevation from
menial TO the highest rank, not only permitted
him to return to Russia but restored TO him
the major portion of the estates which had been
conhscated at the time of his exile. The family
has become very numerous. and many OF its mem
bers to be found high in office at the court and
in the service Of the government.
The barber Count Kutuzorf was not the only
OF Emperor Paul's favorites and conhdants who
suffered exile at the time Of his death and who
were afterward restored to high favor. There
also General Count Alexis Araktchen. who died
IN 1884 leaving the most extraordinary will, which
be said TO provide for the eventual fortune Of
millions TO any writer who lives up TO its require
ments who fulhls the provisions Of the strange
document. Count Araktcheff was the most faith
ful and brutal agent OF the tyranny OF Emperor
Paul from 1896 1900. He the OF The
army, by reason of the savage punishments with
which he visited the smallest offence the most
trifng inaccuracy. Intrigue succeeded IN securing
his removal from about the person of the Gar and
it was shortly afterward that the latter
dered. The passionate sorrow with which Arakt-
chef received the news, a sorrow which he made
no effort 10 conceal, led 10 his being banished 10
Siberia, along with the other confdants and par
ticular adherents Of the murdered Emperor But
some years later, when Alexander began to feel
remorse regarding the circumstances which had
brought him TO the throne, he recalled Araktcheff
along with the barber Count Kutuzof, and made
the former one OF his principal advisers. Indeed.
during the last ten years Of Aexander's reign
Araktcheff may be said to have been the incarna-
tion OF the ruthless reaction which characterized
tnat epoch-an epoch which produced the so-callei
Holy Alliance against the United States. In fact,
so great was the terror which the count inspired
that, although three-quarters OF a century have
elapsed since his death, In 1894. his remains
to-day, as IT was in his time, synonyTne for
pitess and grinding oppression
The accession of Nicholas brought with II the
downfall of Araktcheff. For although are
customed to look upon Nicholas the type of the
Russian tyrant, yet compared 10 hts elder brother
Alexander, during the last decade of the latter's
reign, he liberal indulgent and easygoins
monarch He retired 10 his estates. where he sur
vtyed for about eight years longer. leading life
of the most profound pety and secusion. and died
with his eyes fixed the last upon the portrait Of
Alexander l, whom he hoped 10 rejotn in heaven.