Nebraska Newspapers

    THE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA.
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By 8ERGE N. SYROMIATNIKOFF.
Editor of "Rossla."
iaV Americans havo had tha oppor
tunity to spcuk with tho czar, ox
copt diplomatists and Mr. Molvillo
Stono, manager of tho Associated
Press, but many would llko to
knot" something about htm asldo
fif.li political gossip and slander.
Doos ho llvo in a golden cage,
surrounded by eldorly titled gen
tlemon of tho court, inaccessible
to tho people? 1 havo been asked.
I will answer UiIb by giving a few
established facts. To toll tho en
tire story of his lifo would bo to toll tho Russian
history of tho last twenty-ono years.
Threo weoks after his accession to tho throno,
November 14, 1894, ho marrlod Prlncoss Allx of
llosson, sister of tho Grand Duchess Ellsaveta
Fcodorovnu, wifo of his undo, Grand Duko Sorgll
Aloxnndrovlch,
Tho czar rises at sovon o'clock, and before nlno
ho has finished his modest breakfast and begun
Ills daily work. Ho roads tho newspapers, tele
crams and other information prosonted to him,
hnd makes n noto of all Interesting matter. Tho
Jtlmo from ten to cloven o'clock is nnslgnod to
"walking, but nearly nlwnys from ton to half past
ton o'clock ho rocoives tho reports of tho officials
of his household or gives special audiences to
dignitaries or men who interest him, and only
during tho tlmo until cloven o'clock doos ho walk
nlono or with his son, accompanied by two Scotch
liounds. At cloven o'clock ho returns to tho
palaco and tests tho food of his Infantry roglment
or of his bodyguard. A Bamplo of tho soldlors'
rood in a iockod stowpan Is brought to him by tho
chief noncommissioned officer of tho roglment.
After tho test of tha food tho roports of tho
tailnlstorB begin, lasting until luncheon.
A Day's Activities..
Tho luncheon Is Informal. Thoro ho moots his
family for tho first tlmo in tho day. Samotlmos
tho ofllccrs of tho oulto on duty that day aro In
vited. Aftor luncheon tho emperor rccolvos ofll
clals and doputlos, and from four to ilvo o'clock
lie walks, drivoB, rides on a blcyclo, or canoes
hivl goes boating with his son or with his daugh
ters and tho empross. Prom six to eight o'clock
ho works again In his study. From eight to half
JiaBt nlno ho dines with his family, and from that
tlmo to twelvo or halt past ho works again. Ho
hover rosts during tho day, yet koops chcorful
hnd unwearied. Sometimes, when ho finishes his
task earlier than usual, ho reads to the ompross
ht her evening tea. Boforo going to bed ho prays.
Tho czar works about ton or twolvo hours a
day, of which ho spends no fower than four hours
nlono; ho sloops not moro than sovon hours, and
only about six hours aro glvon to meals and
relaxation with his family,
On tho ovo of holy days tho czar goes to tho
ovonlng church servicos at half past sovon o'clock,
and on holy days ho gooa to raaoa at cloven.
Tho rest of tho tlmo on holy days ho works as on
wook days,
Every ovcnlng, at homo or abroad, tho om
poror writes his Impressions in his dairy.
PosDosBlng an excellent memory and a cloar
tnothod of thinking, tho czar wrltos In a clour
hand, quickly and without orasuros. His thoughts
tiro expressed simply and brlotly; ho doos not llko
long phrasos and foreign words. Ho always
writes his orders, ovon to-tho nearoBt officers, on
tho block notes with pon and Ink. Tho em
peror doos not llko to speak by rtolophono, and
thoro Is nono In his study. Ono Is placed In tho
room of his servant. Sometimes ho directs his
nld-do-camp or hlB secretary to transmit hla
orders verbally or by telephone. Tho poraons
concerned nro notlilod in advanco, In tho event
that thoro should bo any chnngo In tho tlmo sot
for audiences or for receiving roports.
Tho tables and settees in tho emperor's study
aro covered with stato papors, but thoy do not Ho
thoro long; quostlons aro docldod and carried out
at onco. Tho emperor always knows whoro tho
required paporB aro. Ho puts tho roports, after
lio has read thorn, In envolopos and seals. Ho
reads easily all handwritings, oven tho most dim
cult italics of tho sovontoonth century,
Tho private charity of tho emperor Is oxtonalvo.
He gives not only by hundreds but by thousands
Hnd ten thousands of rubles.
Tho difficult work of tho government the czar
does alono he has no private socrotarlea. Ho
has sorao help from tho officials of his household
and tho officers of hla sulto. Offlcoro of tho ftold
chancellery decipher and cipher telegrams and
ruako drafts of letters, but he said once, qulto
truly: "I am doing throe mon'a work. I wish
everyone knew how to do the work at least
of two." Sounds liko a modern business man's
complaint.
The children or tho czar rlso nB early as their
father, but spend thoir mornings In tho uppor
apartments of tho palaco and gonorally meet him
for tho first tlmo at luncheon. But tho omporor
Bonds them to bed, kisses thorn good night and
bloBSCB them with tho sign of tho cross. Hoforo
and after meals ho and his family mako tho sign
of the cross, and tho children thank their parents
nftcr meals. Five o'clock tea Ib served ulso In
private. During meals "service talk" is not al
lowed -then rolgn Jokes and merry tales. After
dlnnor tho omporor likes to road aloud Russian
classics, chlolly tho work of tho humorists. Ho
is fond of Oogol and of tho works of Gorbunov, a
fnmous actor, wrltor of humorous stories, whoso
books tho fathor of tho emperor, Aloxandor III,
also enjoyed. Ho Is a student of Russian history
and an admirer of tho fathor of Peter tho Great,
tho "most gcntlo" czar, Aloxol Mlkhalovltch. His
motto 1b: "A stato Ib strong and powerful only
when It worships tho covenants of tho past."
Ho Is president of tho Russian Historical society,
organlzod by Emperor Alexander HI.
Tho children adore their father and obey him
absolutely. Ho plays with them, gives them slm
plo toys and comforts them during Illness. His
lovo for his son is boundless. Ho not only walks
with hlra, but ho takes him to military shows,
builds sand and snow fortresses with him, digs
ditches, cuts wood, breaks Ico, does carpontor
work, arrangoB boating parties Tho omporor is
a good sportsman. Ho Is a great walker, rider
and bicycler, plays tennis and nlnoplns and Is a
good oarsman, swimmer, diver and shot.
At family dinners tho czar profors Russian cook
ing. Ho llkos cold hollod suckling pig, boot soups,
gruels and pancakos and drinks tho Russian malt
drink, "kvas," t.ho old rcclpo for which was taken
from tho monastery of Sarov. Tho champagno
sorvod In tho palaco Is always Russian.
Tho period of Lent Is strictly observed. Dur
ing tho first, fourth and soventh wooks and on
Wednesdays and Fridays of other weoks
Lont lastB sovon weeks ovon fish Is excluded
from Imperial meals. Only vegetables are served.
During his holidays In Crimea 51 in tho Fin
nish archipelago tho czar enjoys walks of from
ton to fifteen miles, visits farms with his children
and picks mushrooms and borries. Ho Is so tiro
loss that only two officers of his sulto, Komaroft
and Drontoln, could accompany him in his tnoun- .
talneorlng In Crimea.
Tho imperial family takes part In tho Joys and
Borrows of thoir servants. Tho fomalo servants
leave tho palaco only In caso of doath or mar
riage In the latter caso thoy rocolvo tho right
to visit thoir masters. As examples of tho most
dovoted servants may bo montioncd tho servant
of tho ompross, Kondratloff, tho attendant of tho
holr apparent, the Bailor Dorovonko, nnd tho nurso
of tho Importal children, Maria VlBhntnkova. For
them and for tho soldlors and officers of tho regi
ments that boar thoir nameB tho importal family
arrange a brilliant Christmas treo.
On Eastor tho czar kisses threo times each of
his servants, who congratulate him upon this
great holy day, tho empress giving hor hand to
bo kissed. Durlnc tho first threo days of tho
Eastor holidays tho czar has to kiss mora than
3,0' 0 parsons and present each ono with a small
Eastor egg of gold, silver or Ural stones.
Tho czar's hunting Is In chargo of a special ad
ministrator of tho Imperial hunts, this olllco be
ing part of tho ministry of tho court. Tho grounds
aro In Spain, Province of Potrokof, at Skornovlt
By, near Warsaw, and In HlolnvtoJ, near Brost
Lltovsk, Thoro nro private hunts, when tho omporor goes
alono or with a fow Intimate friends, nnd great
hunts, with a largo numbor of hunters, patterned
after an old elaborated ceremonial, with prickers,
bontors, hounds, hunting horns, torches and bon
fires. Ho shoots door, bears, hares, pheasants
and, in RtolovloJ, bisons,
Tho omporor is vor, cnutlouB, strictly observing
tho rules, and never allows himself a shot which
might hurt tho bcators. Ho Ib an excellent shot
and his bag Is alwayB filled. Onco, near Vyborg,
Finland, ho killed a fox. Tho Finnish law re
wards a hunter with five marks ($1) as a premium
for each carnivorous animal killed. Tho czar
received tho premium nnd issued a receipt for
flvo marks. This rocolpt Is kept Ir- tho Vyborg;
citadel.
The czar and his family llko tho opera, particu
larly Russian, but thoy also llko Wagner. Thoy
prefor tho ballot and comedies to other dramatic
performances.
Likes to Play Dominoes.
Only intimate friends are invited to tho Infre
quent evening parties In tho palaco. Tho em
peror nover plays cards, but plays dominoes some
times and likes billiards. Tho daughters of tho
czar llko dancing, but now they havo become help
ful nurses In tho hospitals and take caro of
wounded soldiers. Tho czar likes tho balalaika
orchestra, Cossack cholrH and dances. Onco after
seeing a vivid and animated dance of tho Cos
Backs tho cznr said, thanking tho soldior dancers:
"Tho blood runs qulckor. It scorns as though ono
could smaBh everything looking at them."
The czar haB a strong bollof In tho heavenly
origin of his power. Whon saying in his mani
festo of Juno 3, 1907: "Tho Lord God has in
trusted us with tho czar's power over our people
Awl r t n t n 1 I r-i , 1 1 1 r. 111 nla.n nn n n mnilH tnf
UMU UUIUIU IliO UliUllU WU Will H---J Uli UUDWIUI IUI .
tho fato of our emplro," ho expressed his convic-1
tln 1. - MA1IA.. V. - Tl HMnl '
archy. Ho .as church servlcen, eld rites, old
church hymns. When meeting priests ho kisses
thoir hands' and thoy kiss his. Ho confesses his
sins nnd receives sacrament twice during the
Great Lent before Eastor, and a third tlmo beforo
tho anniversary of his ascension to tho throne.
Tho czar is a good soldier. In Crlmoa onco ho
put on all tho equipment of a soldior of the Six
teenth regiment of sharpshooter i and took a long
walk with rlflo and knapsack for tho purpose of
trying out tho soldlors' outfit. Ho ordorcd that
ho bo enlisted In tho rolls of tho first squad of
this regiment and rccolved a certificate In the
namo of soldior Nicholas Romanoff. Tho life of
tho Russian army and navy and tho woll-being of
tho Russian soldiers and sailors aro objects of
his stronuouB concern. Ho chose a simple sailor,
Boatswain Derovonko, a poasant of tho Volhynia
province, to bo tho attendant o. his son. Tho
union of tho czar with his soldlors and peasants
la his purposo. To have a legal way of hearing
tho volco of tho pcoplo the czar established tho
state duma, or houso of representatives. In his
spoech from tho throno May 10. 1904, at tho opon
ing of tho first duma, ho said to the representa
tives of his people, summoned tho St. George's
Sallo of tho winter palaco: "T'uo solicitude for
tho well-being of tho fatherland, Intrusted to me
by Provldonco, Induced mo to convono tho o'.ects
of tho people for holp and legislative work. With
ardent faith In tho bright futu.ro of Russia I wel
come In your persons tho best men, whom I have
ordered my holovcd subjects to elect. Difficult
and complicated work is boforo you. I bcllovo
that tho lovo for your country and the forvont do
slro to sorvo It will rouso and unlto you. As for
myself, I will dofend tho unBhnkablo institutions
granted by mo, in strong belief that you will give
all your strength and solf-donylng Borvlce to your
country In ascertaining the needs of tho peasants,
so closo to my heart; In educating tho pooplo and
developing their woll-being, remomborlng that for
tho spiritual greatness and prosperity of tho stato
not only froodom, but ordor based on right, Is
necessary. May my ardent desire to boo my peo
plo happy and to transmit to my son in inherit
ance n stato strong, well organized and civilized
bo fulfilled.
"May God bless tho work boforo mo In union
with tho stato council and tho stato duma, and
may this day bo marked as a day of renovation
of tho moral countenance of tho Russian land, as
tho day of tho revival of her best forces.
"Bogln with reverence tho work which I havo
Intrustod to you, and justify tho confldonco of tho
czar nnd tho pooplo.
"May God holp you nnd mo!"
In October tho czar and tho czarovltch visited
tho trenches on tho southwestern front, and tho
czar was many times under tho nrtlllory flro of
tho enemy. As this bravery, by tho tenuro ol
article 7 of tho statuto of tho military ordor of
St George, ontltlos An offlcor to a cross of St.
Goorgo of tho fourth class, tho council of knights
of St. Goorgo of tho southwestern armies resolved
to ask tho emperor to accept this cross. Tho com
mamlor tn chief of tho southwestern armies also
asked permission to confer upon tho czarovltch
a silver medal, with a St, Qeorgo'a ribbon, for
bravery lu having visited tho wounded at tho sta
tlon Clevan, In tho sphere of tho onomy's artillery
flro.
A LINE OF PRINT
By GEORGE COBB.
"Sorry, Miss Fortner, but those nro
tho orders," spoko tho society editor
and ho looked it, for tho neat, intelli
gent young lady boforo him had im
pressed him favorably from tho start.
For two days Susie Fortner, would
bo Journalist, had been trying her
wlngB. Sho had flown high in hor first
copy covering tho big wedding event
of tho season, nnd now sho had
dropped back to earth with a deaden
ing shock to all hor high ambitions.
"Don't bo discouraged;" resumed tho
kindly odltor. "You'vo got it in you,
but you lack tho practical experience
You boo, tho mistako was a terrible
ono. I don't know but it may lead to
a llbol suit. Then again, It antagon
ized somo high up people and that
means loss of advertising patronago."
"It must havo been somo cruel Joker
who gavo mo tho Incorrect Informa
tion," sobbed Suslo, in tears of cha
grin and voxntlon. "I don't want you
peoplo to got into trouble. Hadn't I
bettor go and see this Mr. Randall
and Miss Armour and explain how it
all camo about?"
"I wouldn't wasto my tlmo on that
if I wore you," advised tho editor, but
Suslo went hor way feeling a respon
sibility sho must carry out.
A lino of print had dono it, a simple
innocent looking series of only a fow
"I Am Through With Society as a
Reporter."
words: "It is ourrent rumor that Miss
Grace Armour and Mr. Dalby Randall,
bridesmaid and best man, will shortly
follow tho example of tho happy bride
and groom of tho present occasion."
Tho item had como to Suslo while
sho was collating matorlal for tho full
column report on the brilliant affair.
Lists of names had been glvon her,
as of the presents and items as to the
honeymoon trip and the like. How
was sho to know that tho bridesmaid
and best man wero almost perfect
strangers one to tho other? A cruel
hoax and It bad cost Suslo her position.-
Sho got a directory and found the
address of this Mr. Randall. Thoro
was gloom In hor heart, but sho grap
pled with tho duty of tho moment in hor
usual determined, businesslike way.
Suslo thought out all sho would say as
sho was shown Into tho office of Mr.
Randall. He was a bright, haudsomo
young follow. Sho had noticed that
at tho wedding. Ho Btarod a little
and looked perplexed and embarrassed
as Susie told her story.
"It is most kind of you to take tho
trouble to explain tho mlxup," said
Randall. "Of courso somo thought
less mischief maker fancied It would
bo a raro hoax to glvo In that falso In
formation. By tho way, a thought
this, affair has bothered me a good
deal. I know Miss Armour must be
troubled and chagrined over the af
fair. By tho way," and Randall bright
ened up under tho lnfluonco of a quick
suggestion "you couldn't clear my
skirts and mako Miss Armour feel
right to mo, that is If sho feels wrong
about It by calling on hor and telling
her what you havo told mo,, could
you?"
Why, of courso Suslo would do that,
and tho young man pondered. To tho
observant Suslo ho acted llttlo wor
ried over what had boon dono and
ovlncod a sort of delight In being ablo
to discuss tbo situation with Miss Ar
mour. "I bellovo," ho said finally. "I bo
llovo I will accompany you to Miss
Armour nnd will or introduco you."
So thoy wont together and Suslo
went over hor story again to tho
blushing young bridesmaid. Randall
had learned of tho penalty sho had
boon called upon to pay for tho inser
tion of that fatal lino. He even asked
hor address.
"I havo somo frlonds In tho news
papor line," ho told hor. "It seems
pretty hard that you should loso your
position for a complication In no senso
your making."
Mies Armour waa kind, Indulgent,
almont sisterly to Suslo. Sho took hor
addrtsB.
"I wonder If I havo suggested an
idea to thoso two," soliloquized Suslo
with a whimsical smile as she wended
hor way homowardB. Then her own
troubles brought a cloud of gravity to
hor fair face.
'1 shall havo to go back to tho old
humdrum rut, I Bupposo," sho reflect
ed, which covered a saleswoman's sal
ary In an art store whero pay wan
poor and progress slow. "All tho
samo, I won't glvo up my Ideal I can
keep on with my book of pooms, any
way." Sho sal down In tho parlor of tho
boardinc house to think over affairs.
Sho was doop among hor mental ab-'
stractionB, when a cheery hall caused'
hor to start up to faco Ward RldloyJ
Ho was a follow boarder, a struggling!
young nowspapor artist. I
"I finished two drawings Illustrating
your first pooms," ho announced, "nnd
I am going to bring thom from tho
ofllco this ovcnlng. How is society,
Miss Fortnurf"
"I am through with society aa a re
porter," replied Suslo and sho told her
desolnto story. Sho had a truly sym
pathizing auditor and when Ridley
had gono Suslo felt that cho had at
least ono good friond in tho world.
Then camo further distress for tho
dovoted Susie. Sho returned to her
old position, but only for a week. For
a month poor Suslo was down with a
contagious fovcr.
Sho was wan and dobllltatcd whon
tho consuming fever loft her. Her
palo cheek flushed as gradually her
nurso told her all about tho threo
wooks blank In her life.
"Your friond, Mr. Ridley, provided
for everything," tho attendant ex
plained. "Ho has boon working day
and night and looks as though ho
would bo tho next ono on tho sick
list."
But If Ward Ridley was worn out,
his face showed a raro delight to find
Susio sitting up and on the road to
recovery.
"When you aro strong enough," ho
said mysteriously moro than onco, "I
want to discloso a Biirprlse."
Then ono morning, when Suslo was
ablo to walk about tho room, Ridloy
quietly drew a small volume from his
pocket. Ho handed It to her. Suslo
sat transfixed.
"My pooms and published!" sho flut
tered and hor lifo's vision seemed real
ized. "Yes," roplled Ridloy. "You remem
ber tho two peoplo you wrote up wrong
in that wedding report? Well, your
Innocent revelations to them brought
about an engagement and thoy aro
soon to bo married. Miss Armour
camo hero tho day you wero taken
down with fever. Sho has been hero
since. She will bo hero again. And
so happy was sho In her new found
love, all duo to you, that sho Insisted
on furnishing tho taoney to print tho
book and I well, I havo aided in
Bpolllng It with my Illustrations."
Susio cried. Sho could not holp It.
And then sho smiled and a great glad
ness surged up In hor heart at tho
words from Ridley.
"Toll you, Miss Fortner, they have
Increased my salary down at tho ofllco
and I was wondering It you would
holp me save somo of it as my wife."
(Copyright. 191G. by W. G. Chapman.)
KEEPING THE CHILD STRAIGHT
Wlso Advice on the Subject Is That
Given by Writer In a Chicago
Newspaper.
When children aro prevented from
having a good tlmo at homo thoy will
go whore their high Bplrits will havo a
chance.
It Is up to you to make your home a
place where tho children will have
thoir best time.
If you do, you will find loss deslro
on thoir part to leave It.
It may cost a little money; the noise
may bo annoying to you, but Isn't a
llttlo money and a little nolso a small
price to pay to keep the kiddles
homo?
When children aro much on the
streets or In questionable company 1b
It any wondor that they acquire bad
habits?
To keep your children Bweot, puro
and honorable should bo your constant
aim.
Before you becomo a parent you
should consider that you will havo to
make many changes In your modo of
living; that you will have many vexa
tions.. But the children will more than
make up to you for all you must deny
yoursolf.
Nothing is so sweet as the heart of
a little child unless It is the hearts of
two llttlo children. Chicago Examiner.
Fight Patron Was Weary.
Billy Gibson, who conducted a small
boxing club, told of a bout be
tween Montana Dan Sullivan, a
middleweight, and a rough, rug
ged fellow who was noted for
hlB punching powers, but who was
rather slow afoot. Montana Dan ap
parently hold his opponent in great re
spect. Ho would approach tho rough
lad cautiously, mako a light lead at
him, and then skitter away to a far
corner of tho ring. This went on for
a short time, with the crowd watch
ing silently, until finally Dan reached
out a quick loft and Jabbed tho rough
ono lightly on tho chin. "That's right,
Dan," camo a thin, piping and very1
weary voice from tho cheapest Boats.
"That's right! Antagonlzo him, Dan;
antagonlzo him!" t
One's Finger Nails.
No two finger nails on a person's
hands grow at tho samo rate. Tho
nail on tho middle linger grows faster'
than any other, whtlo tho thumbnail,
Ib tho slowest growing nail. As a rule,
too, the nails on the right hand grow!
fastor than those on tho loft. Tho1
state of ono's health, too, affects the
rate of growth. Tho nails on invalids'
hands grow considerably faster than
on tho hands of a hoalthy person.
Taken on tho average, tho rato of
growth Is an eighth of an Inch a
month, or from an Inch to an Inch and
a halt a year.