"News" article on Olga and Alexei, year 1912

Source:

The Autocrat in the Nursery, in the June 20, 1912 issue of Youth's Companion

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101078190004&view=1up&seq=414&size=125

This article describing an anecdote of undeniably false veracity was printed on page 330 of the June 20, 1912 edition of Youth's Companion, an American children's magazine that ran from 1827 to 1929.

The article:

THE AUTOCRAT IN THE NURSERY.

ALEXIS, the little Russian Tsarevitch, will never enjoy the democratic benefits of a public-school training, but if Le Cri de Paris is to be believed, an excellent substitute may be found in his big sister, the Grand Duchess Olga.

The Tsarevitch, who is seven years old, is sadly spoiled. That is hardly to be wondered at, for he has been told from the time he was able to understand anything that he will some day be the absolute master of Russia, and of his one hundred and sixty-three million subjects.

A year after his birth his father appointed him hetman of the Cossacks. He has taken his title seriously, and treats every one round him with military rigor. He so tyrannizes over his sisters, the Grand Duchesses Marie and Anastasia, that they tremble before him. The eldest sister, the Grand Duchess Olga, who is sixteen years old, alone dares to oppose him.

Recently, when she refused to gratify one of the Tsarevitch's caprices, he became angry and struck her. But the grand duchess seized him and administered to the future master of all the Russias a good whipping.

The Tsar, who was in an adjoining room, and heard the cries of rage and pain raised by his heir, came upon the scene and tried to establish peace. In vain — until he declared that the Grand Duchess Olga should be imprisoned for the crime of lese-majesty.

"I am satisfied," declared the hetman of the Cossacks.

"So am I!" the Grand Duchess Olga said. "But if you ever strike me again, Alexis, you'll get another beating — and a harder one!"

Above: Olga. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.