Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial321dodg).pdf/253

1904]

was the founder of St. Petersburg. The site selected for the city was a miserable marsh half under water. A few solitary fishermen inhabited it, and were barely able to get a living. These fishermen pointed out to Peter an old tree with a mark on it showing to what perilous height the waters sometimes rose, thereby showing him what a dangerous location it was for a city. Peter ordered the tree to be cut down.

This enterprise of Peter’s was almost impossible, but Peter was not easily daunted. He ordered multitudes of workmen from the different parts of his empire to come and work for him. They had no tools, but had to dig the soil with sticks or with their hands, and carried the earth away in their caps or aprons.

Within a year thirty thousand houses were built on the marsh. Beneath those houses were the bones of many wretched laborers who had died during the dreadful toil. But it mattered not to the Czar. He only said, One must break eggs to make an omelet.

Peter then commanded people to come from different parts of his empire to reside in this city. Men in all kinds of trades were transported by force to St. Petersburg. Every boat that entered the harbor was to bring a certain quantity of unhewn stones.

The little house where Peter lived was built largely by his own hands, and is now inclosed within an outer structure. His house was built of logs, and consisted of only three rooms—a dining-room, bedroom, and kitchen.

Thus St. Petersburg was built and peopled by Peter the Great. It is but just that the city should bear his name.





day was walking in the Summer Gardens at St. Petersburg, when he met an actor whose acting he had seen and liked. He stopped and complimented the Frenchman on it, and the actor, much pleased, replied. Now it was not permitted to speak to the emperor in the public gardens, so as soon as the Czar had passed on a policeman arrested the actor. His protestations that the emperor spoke first were of no avail. He was put in prison.

Nicholas went that night to see him act, but he was not there.

No one could give him any explanation as to the cause of his not being there; so the emperor remained unsatisfied.

The next day the actor was set free.

In some way Nicholas heard of it and sent for him. The Czar asked him what he could do to make up for the action of the police.

“Never speak to me in the public gardens again,” said the man; and his request was granted.

The next day Nicholas sent him money equivalent to a whole month’s salary.