A RUSSIAN SOLDIER'S ADVENTURE.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 134, 8 June 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

A RUSSIAN SOLDIER'S ADVENTURE.

A party of Russian engineer officers ventured in the hostile territory of Bokhara, with the hope of surveying a portion of it before they were discovered. But they were compelled to relinquish their designs by the appearance of an overwhelming force of Bokhariot horsemon, who quickly Burrounded them Seeing that resistance was impossible, the Russian advanced with friendly greetings, announced himself as a special envoy from the Czar to the Ameer, and in that character demanded to be led into the presence of that important personage. The ruse worked liko a charm, and the party made a triumph entry into the capital escorted by their captors. With', due ceremony the gentlemen were admitted to an audience, and the chief officer, with dignity and impressiveness, conveyed assurances of profound regard from the Czar of all the Russians to his Royal brother, and concluded by presenting his own gold watch and silver-handled knife to the savage despot as gifts from his august master to the Ameer. Everything was proceeding smoothly, when the Asiatic king upset the whole business by asking for the Czar's letter — he knew how such matters were conduoted; of course, the Czar had accompanied his gif'B by a letter. At this demand the self-appointed ambassador turned bb pale as death, and stood the picture of mute despair. But a young subaltern at his side came to the rescue. With almost preternatural presence of mind he drew forth his pocketbook, and carefully unfolded an old playbill of the Alexander Theatre in St. Petersburg, and coolly read from it an imaginary letter of con*, gratulation, winding up by handing it to the Ameer with a profound obeisance. His Eminence of Bokhara had already seen the Czars' nrme appended to official document?, and was entirely satisfied by the sight of the huge line " Alexander " at the top of the bill, together with the double eagle of Russia, and the precious playbill was reverently de- ! posited among the archives of Bokhara, where it probably remains to | this day, a source of wonder and ¦amusement.