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The Favorite of European Courts SELLING THEM INTO SLAVERY ' 1 *-—---* ‘An African slave market at the time of Abram Hannibal How an African Slave Became Commander-iu-Chief of the Russian Army-While an Unfaithful WTife Almost Ruined Hts Career By J. A. ROGERS F5? Noted Author and Correspondent HISTORY contains no stranger or more romantic figure than Abram Hannibal. Stolen from his parents in Africa and sold into slavery, he rose to be com mander-in-chief of the armies of the greatest white empire of his day. One of his descendants became one of the world s greatest poets, while others are today to be found in some of the leading royal families of Europe, including the English. Destiny was indeed kind to Hanni-< bal, for instead of being sent to America where he would have been at best a house-servant, he was sent to Europe. At that time, while Negroes were languishing in slavery in America, others of their brothers, also from the jungles, were the pampered pets of European royalty. Some of the highest in the land would try to ap proach the king by first winning the favor of these Negroes. Negroes Bathed Empress According to Gleichen-Russwurm and Terhune, both Josephine, Em press of the French, and Pauline. ,Napoleon’s sister, had male negroes to bathe them, and many other ladies in other European courts followed suit. This writer has in his posses sion a copy of a picture of this sort from a Moscow gallery. _ . It was at the Russian Court that Negroes gained the highest favor. Peter in would make even the am bassadors of great countries wait while he entertained himself with his Negro, Narcissus. Indeed, his wife, Catherine the Great, in her memoirs charged that Peter cared for Nar cissus more than he did for her. Later when Catherine seized the throne and threw Peter into prison, Peters first request was for “his mistress. . • When Food Sours Sweeten the stomach—instantly . . i • « n._.Un About two hours after eating many* people suffer from sour stomachs. They call it indigestion. It means that the stomach nerves have been over-stimulated. There is excess acid. The way to correct it is with an al kali, which neutralizes many times its volume in acid. . The right way is Phillips Milk of Magnesia—just a tasteless dose in water. It is pleasant, efficient and harmless. It has remained the stand ard with physicians in the 50 years since its invention. , It is tne quiCK mcuiw. come almost instantly. It is the ap proved method. You will never use another when you know. Be sure to get the genuine Phillips Milk of Magnesia prescribed by phy sicians for 50 years in correcting ex cess acids. 25c and 50c a bottle any drugstore. , „ . . .. ‘Milk of Magnesia’ has been the U S Registered Trade Mark of The Charles H. Phillips Chemical Com pany and its predecessor, Charles H. Phillips since 1875. ►his Negro, his dog, and his violin.” Eugene Schuyler. American diplo mat. writing as late as 1883, says in his ‘‘Life of Peter the Great (Vol. II. p. 438): “Negroes were also In esteem as indeed they have been of recent years. Volynsky sent from Astrakan a couple to Catherine in order to in gratiate himself with her. and Peter (the Great) had several.” Catherine the Great, in her por trait by Lampi. is shown with a Ne gro. Catherine also had a colored woman at her court to whom she paid high honor, the Countess de Protassov, who was a relative of the Prince Orloff, according to the Countess Golovina. (See Memoirs of Countess Golovina, p. 44.) Peter the Great Loved Him By far the greatest of the Negro favorites in any European court was Abram Hannibal. Sold into slavery in the harem of the Sultan. Selim IV, of Turkey, he attracted the at tention of Count Ragusky who was at the Turkish Court on a mission from his master. Peter the Great. Count Ragusky wishing 'to take back some unusual gift to his em peror, got Hannibal, some say by kidnapping, others say as a gift from the Sultan. In any case, when Count Ragusky crossed the border, the Negro lad. then about ten years old, was sitting in the luxurious car riage wrapped with costly furs. Arriving at the palace of the Krem lin, the Count with his entourage, entered the great audience chamber, and, advancing to the throne, pre sented his gift. Hannibal was a mer ry, vivacious and intelligent child. Peter the Great fell in love with him on the spot, and from that moment to Peter’s death, the two were in separable, on the battlefield or at court. Peter was very democratic. Once, leaving his throne, he went to Eng land and worked in a ship yard as a common laborer to learn the trade in order to build up a navy of his own. And at that time he was the wealthiest man on earth. In his palace he dined at a great long table. His custom was to seat himself, after which, any diner, re gardless of rank, could sit next to him. The ambassadors, even from England, accustomed to seats ol honor in other lands, used to com plain of this custom. In any case, no matter who sat next to Peter Hannibal was always beside him. Precocious in Mathematics Soon after his arrival. Hannibal was christened and taken into the ►Christian faith. Peter, himself, acting as god-father, and the Queen of Po land as god-mother. His Turkish name had been Ibrahim. Peter called Continued on Pace Seven PAIN so easily relieved How to treat Headaches Neuralgia Neuritis or check a Cold ! WHY ARE some women so patient with pain? Shopping with a head that throbs. Working when they ache all over. Some times it’s hours before they take Bayer Aspirin and get relief! Most men take these tablets the moment some ache or pain threatens their comfort. And so should you. Genuine Aspirin is perfectly harm less; cannot depress the heart. 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