Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1883 — Peter the Great at Zardam. [ARTICLE]

Peter the Great at Zardam.

Having reached Emmerich, the impetuous and youthful monarch left the embassy, and proceeded down the Rhine, not halting until he reached Amsterdam, “through which,” says one iuthority, “he flew like lightning, and never once stopped till he arrived at Zardam, fifteen days before the embassy reached Amsterdam.” One of his small party in the boat happened to recognize a man there who was fishing in a boat as one Kist, who had worked for some time in Russia. He was called to them, and his astonishment may be conceived at seeing the Czar of all the Rassias in a little boat, dressed like a Dutch Skipper, in a red jacket and white trousers. Peter told Kist, that he should like tq Jodge .with him; the poor man did not know what to do, but, finding the Czar in earnest, -procured him a cottage behind his own, consisting of two small rooms and a loft. Kist was instructed not to let any one know who the new lodger was. A crowd collected to-stare at the strangers; and the questions put to them Peter Used to answer in Dutch that they were all carpenters and hard up for a job. But the crowd did not believe it, for the dresses of some of his companions belied these statements. The Czar, shortly after arriving at Zardam, paid visits to a number of the families of Dutch seamen and carpenters whom he was employing .at »Archang»l fraud elsewhere representing himself as a brother workman. Among others he called upon a poor widow whose deceased husband had once been a skipper in his employ, and to whom he had some time before sent a present of 500 gilders. The poor woman begged him to tell the Czar how “she. never could be sufficiently thankful” for Iris great kindness, little dreaming that the rough-looking young man before her was that monarch. He assured ber that the Czar should most certainly be-acquaiated with her message. Peter proceeded to purchase a quantity of carpenter’s tools, and his companions were ordered to clothe themselves in the common garb worn in the dockyards. Next day was -Sunday, and it became evident that some one had let the cat more or less out of the bag, for crowds of sailors and dockhands assembled before Peter’s lodgings, which annoyed him terribly. Hut the fact is that a Dutch resident of Archangel had written home to - iris friends, informing them of the projected voyage and inclosing his portrait and description of the Czar. Among the crowd a garruloui? barber, who believed he had recognized him, shouted out, “Dat is der Tzar!” and all poor' Peter’s little stratagems could not save. him from the curiosity of the pepulace! A Hpllander had left a description of Kim, which would indicate that he was too noticeable to be mistaken by any who had once seen him. He was very tall and robust, quick and nimble of foot, and dexterous and rapid in .his actions; his.face was plump and round, fierce in his look, with brown eyebrows, and short curling hair of a brownish color. His gait was quick, and he had a habit of swinging his arms violently, while he always carried a cane, wlrich he occasionally used very freely over the shoulders of those who had offended him.— The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril and Heroism.