Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-05-16
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sldered one Of the most gorgeous rooms in exist
ence.
In the early days of their life in Tobolsk Mich
oas and his wife were kept really prisoners with
Ii their fat They were only allowed out for the
purpose Of attending services in the Cathedral of
Annunciation or the monastery where they now
live, or going to the public baths. They attended
divine services twice every Sunday and on reli-
gious anniversaries of Importance They attended
the public baths once week.
The Romanoff family are living a very simple
life They cannot afford oranges, lemons pears,
peaches, pineapples and many other delicacies
which are quite common in America. They could
not have spirituous drinks If they wanted them,
for the law which Nicholas first promulgated him
self is still in force. Instead Of sugar they use
honey for their table
AS true hausfrau, the ex-czarina generally as
slsts the cook in the kitchen to prepare the meals.
The Romanofs have light breakfast at nine
o'clock, luncheon at one and dinner at six. The
late hour for breakfast and the early hour for din
ner are planned to suit the convenience of the
servants.
Day after day the same monotonous routine
continues, with its simple meals and its lack Of
excitement. There are no social pleasures and no
entertainments. Until recently their lives we're
filled with state banquets great court balls and re-
ceptions and pageants of various kinds, not to
mention the military and religious ceremonies and
other diversions perhaps equally exciting Now
they cannot entertain the mayor or the school
children of the town.
The former czarina was greatly excited about
the Punishment and suffered during the first days
after her arrival at Tobolsk But she soon over
came her sorrows and took an active interest in
the housekeeping. She likes roast goose and roast
veal cooked In the German style. There are ru-
mors that she is now very lively in her conversa-
ton and bitter about her fate.
On the other hand, the exczar has been very
SILENT gloomy and reflective. He frequently has
brushed away tear from his eyes. He has grown
very haggard. gray and old-looking. He wears
ordinarily the uniform of general of the Prebra-
Jensky regiment, which he is allowed to USE al
though he no longer enjoys the rank.
Perhaps the most interesting news of the Ro-
manoH family relates to the daughters. There are
four Of these girls all pretty and attractive: Olga,
aged twenty-five; Tatiana, aged twenty; Marie.
aged eighteen, and Anastasia, aged sixteen. They
nearly frightened to death at the outbreak Of
the revolution, but now, under just treatment, they
are developing into good republicans and perhaps
even radicals.
The government has very kindly and no doubt
wisely allowed these young girls to come and go as
they please without any watch being kept upon
them They mix freely with the people of the
town and travel to all parts Of the country If they
wish. It is no uncommon thing to hear the son
Of local shopkeeper say to the former Grand
Duchess Olga, eldest daughter Of the former car
Of all the Russias:
'Hello, Olga Nicholaevna. won't you go for
ride this EVENING"?
To this Olga will reply, without being the least
offended:
"No, thank you. Ivan Fetrovich have an i'm
portant meeting Of the Woman's club to attend"
Usually the girls are addressed according to
the regular Russian style, as "Olga Nicholaevna,"
meaning "Olga, daughter Of Nicholas !" "Tatiana
Ncolaeyna," and SO on. The ex-czar is addressed
as "Hospodin Romanoff and the ex-czarina as
I'm Roma he ncod hc
Russian equivalents of "Mr" and MRS