Southern Christian Advocate

MISCELLANY

YANKEE ENERGY.

A correspondent of the Christian Watchman gives the following anecdote, originally told by Mr. Dallas, at a dinner given to him upon his return to Philadelphia, after having been American Minister at the court of the Emperor Nicholas.

Mr. D. sat in his office in St. Petersburg, on a certain morning, when a young man, or rather a boy, presented himself, with the arms of his jacket out at the elbows, and remarked that he "would like to see the Emperor."

"You would like to see the Emperor?" inquiringly rejoined Mr. D., adding the further interrogation, "What do you want to see the Emperor for?"

"O, I have a little business with him, and I want to see him," replied the youth.

"Well," said the ambassador, "you can't see the Emperor."

"Why not; can't you introduce me?" earnestly inquired the boy.

"No. I could not introduce you," said the minister, smilingly.

"Ar'n't you the American Minister?" said the boy.

"Yes, I am the American Minister, but I should not dare to introduce you, if I could."

"But I am an American," replied the boy. "and I have came all the way from Mount Vernon, the tomb of Washington, on business with the Emperor, (for whom I have a present,) and I must see him, and I call on you as the ambassador of my country, to introduce me to his Imperial Majesty."

"The most that I can do, my lad, is to introduce you to one of his Ministers," said Mr. D., "and if he pleases, he may introduce you to the Emperor."

"Very well, that will be one step gained; just introduce me to the Minister of his Majesty, if you please."

At this point in the dialogue, the American Minister took the boy to one of the Imperial cabinet, remarking to the dignitary as he approached him, "Here's a boy who says he has come all the way from Mount Vernon, in America, and that he has some message for the Emperor, and demands an introduction; can you gratify him?"

"I cannot introduce him, without first consulting his Majesty," replied the Autocrat's minister. "If he is willing, I will introduce him."

After a short lapse of time, the Minister returned from an interview with the Emperor, to whom he related in substance what had previously been said of the boy. The curiosity of Nicholas being excited respecting the errand of the boy, he was induced to command the ministerial functionary to "bring him along."

"He says he will see you," said the Minister, addressing himself to the Yankee lad. And immediately they set off for the palace, where the following discourse took place between Nicholas and the ragged boy.

"Well, my little fellow, I understand you wish to see me; what is your business?"

"I came all the way from the tomb of Washington, at Mount Vernon, in America, and understanding that you liked the character of Washington,"

"I have great veneration for the character and memory of that illustrious personage," interrupted the Emperor.

"Well," continued the youth, as he thrust his hand into his jacket pocket, "I brought this acorn from the tomb of Washington, thinking you might like to plant it in your grounds, and raise an oak to his memory; will you accept it?"

"Certainly," replied the Emperor, "and we will go out at once and plant it."

No sooner said than done. They proceeded to the palace grounds, and having raised the soil with a spade, the Emperor committed the acorn to the earth with his own hand. Thanking the youth for the simple but agreeable present, the Emperor inquired, "Is there any thing more that you wish of me, my lad?"

The boy replied, "I should love to see Moscow, amazingly."

"What do you want to see Moscow for?" interrogated his Majesty.

"O, I have long had a desire to see that city. and as you were pleased to inquire for my further wishes, and as I knew you could gratify my desires, I thought I would honestly tell you."

"Well, you shall see Moscow," said Nicholas; and at once a barouche with six horses was ordered, and the boy was toted off to the ancient capital, by his Majesty's imperial command.

"The last I saw of the youth," says Mr. Dallas, "he passed my office in St. Petersburg, in a coach with six horses, and as he deigned to look at me, he joyfully waved a white handkerchief, of which he had become possessor, and triumphantly cried out to me, 'Hurrah, I am going to Moscow! I am going to Moscow!'"

It may be proper to add, that although there may be some little discrepancy in the narration, the main facts in this illustration of Yankee perseverance and honest stratagem, are true of a Boston boy—now a full grown man.