The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-06-08


family circle is concerned, the car
leads life of simplicity quite differ
ent from the reports so often spread
abroad Of the pomp, ceremonial and
inaccessibility surrounding him.
"He is not the stern despot sitting
on the white throne forever condemn
my nihilists to death or sending
political offenders to Siberian exile,
but :. kindly hearted man who by his
| life and hard work sets an example Of
industriousness for those about him"
There is no monarch in the world
today OF whose real life and character
so little is known and who is sur
rounded with SO much secrecy and
mystery, than Nicholas Alexandra
witch of the house of Romanoff, car
of all the Russias, whose population
number about 10000, 900.
Unlike Emperor Franz Joseph of
Austria, who gets up at the unearthly
hour of $3.50. Gear Nicholas arises at
{ a. m. BY he has finished his break
fast and goes to his cabinet to begin
his days work. He reads such news
papers as has been laid on his desk
with the items that might interest
him, marked. He looks over letters,
ministerial communications and docu-
ments. He then glances at the caIen-
dar pad on which he has made notes
himself with lead pencil as to what
is before him for that day, perhaps
adds some or already makes notes of
the things that come to his mind for
the following day.
At 1920, the czar goes for half an
hours walk in the palace park, in
which he is often accompanied by his
son Alexis, the Czarevitch When he
returns there shortly after II,
comes the official tasting" of the
food for the imperial table. This is
brought to the car in closed and
sealed silver dishes by member of
his body guard.
The car luncheons at 1 o'clock. It
is usually family meal. Occasionally
a member of the Romanoff house or
some one from his suite, is invited
More often it is just the little FANNY
circle in which Nicholas feels his
best. The food is plentiful but plain
and simple. 1t onsists of few
courses. His favorite dishes are roast
young pig, "Borschtsch,' the famous
Russian creamed-vegetable soup and
"blinny" kind OF pancake. For
drinks he prefers "Kvas," specially
made for him and small quantity OF
Russian champagne.
From to O'Clock there are audi
ences, high military officers who
have matters to lay before the car,
or heads of state and public institu-
tons whom he wishes to consult. II
he is not too busy, the car engages
in some exercise from to 5. 1t may
be walk, horseback ride or If he
is at Peterhof, a boat ride. He is
very fond of rowing.
At there is a family tea" During
this he often reads to the czarina ana
the children, something he is very
fond of doing. Promptly at 6 he re-
turns to work In his cabinet until s
when dinner is served At 1920 he
is again at his desk where he may re-
main until midnight or 49, 80. If ha
finishes his work sooner he often
spends the time reading to the car
ina He considers that seven hours
sleep is sufficient for his needs, to
5 hours he deyotes to his family, rec
reation and meals and generally II
hours to work.
The car has no secretary or priv
ate secretary in the real sense of ths
word. Such letters as he writes. and
he writes more than he is generally
supposed, he writes himself with
pen. HIS work is largely that of
signing official documents or making
notes, scribbling instructions, COM
ment or requests for more informa-
ton upon the border of papers laid
before him.
Every table and chair in his work
room is Uttered with papers and docu-
ments. He knows just where to find
what he wants and will permit no one
to touch them until he has disposed
OF them. He knows what each docu-