Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-11-30
Tile Bavarian Trumpetcr.

lie DhVHTlHn IFUWppucTs
"Learn something, Mang Anton, learn
who knows how useful it
may be to you ?" Thus said the parish
notary one day, many years ago, to fine
young lad.
Mang Anton considered for while,
and then said, 81 don't like to say what
[ want to learn"
"Out with it ~
"Well, 1 want to learn the trumpet !"
The notary smiled, for he expected
something quite different however q
mans will is his kingdom, and Mang
Anton received a trumpet. For many
year did he trumpet away, well or ill, to
the praise of God and the delight Of
men, at shooting-matches, marriages,
family feasts, and other great occasions,
and at last like other youths, he reached
his twenty-tirst year.
AS conscript Mang Anton was fortu-
nate, and drew one of the highest num-
ters in his district. In 1860 he was
ordered to Munich, but cverv one COM
forted him by telling him that on ac-
count of his high number he would soon
be free. He went away joyfully, for he
had never seen the residence of the soy
ereign, and the trumpet would surely be
blown well there. A handsome power
full lad, he was soon made cuirassier in
spite of his high number. He passed
his time as recruit in the training-school
at Nymphenburg. One evening he took
the instrument of one of the signal
trumpeters, and blew slow sad strain
his heart was far away in his home, up
among the beautiful mountains among
his dear ones there-away among the
dreams of his youth. One of the officers
heard the strange sound, inquired about
him, and Mang Anton was made trum-
peter.
About that time he wrote to me, "Oh,
how often I think Of the words, Mang
Anton, learn something who knows
how useful it may be to you ?"
In 1866 he was still there, and in 1870,
after the reduction of his regiment, was
made its mounted trumpeter, and ac-
companied it into France. An extract
from one of his letters will show how
things prospered with him there Il
have, as you know, learned not only how
to blow the trumpet, but to ride, and
was appointed trumpeter to the staff oil
the Generals on the march. My General
is kind to me, and lately I, a mere trum-
peter, was allowed to take ride on a
Generals horse, in the park at Ferrieres.
How beautiful tits Almost as beauti-
full as at home in Schwangau Terieres
belongs to NJ. Rothschild. At the very
name I inyoluntarily graspcd my poor
slender purse, yet was proud to find
myself there, for it is not every one who
is allowed to ride in Ferrieres. | heard
the tramping of horses, but did not
trouble myself about them and rode on.
Suddenly, on coming to turn, [ saw
brilliant suit of officers OF high rank be,
fore me. Irode to the side, halted, and
said to myself, Attention |! for at the
head of the riders came the old King
himself He looked at me, stopped, onc
turning to the right, pulled up his horse
and the rest stopped also. The Officer
en- his right, rode forward, and PLACED
me right opposite the King. You
Majesty said he, this is the Bavariar
mounted trumpeter, Manguss Hoss, o
the third regiment (he gave my name
and surname without having asked me.
His king gave him the cross of merit
and he received the iron cross at Worth
Froschweiler; this is the trumpeter who
under deadly fire, continued to soun(
the advance in the attack on MacNlahon'
camp The King reached out his hanl
to meme, Il poor trumpeter-and al
his suite came forward all but two o
them bore the iron cross, and they shool
hands with me. Tears rolled over m,
b,own cheeks and moustache, [ coult
not speak word stood alone befor
the noble riders. He who presented M
to the King was mono other than tn
Crown Prince of Prussia. 'Hoss, salt
he, when we came up you threw away
lighted cigar into the garden you ma.
be glad that it is in time Of war, other
wise no man would dare to throw burn
ing cigar-ends into the garden of Roth
schild : then, smiling, he handed me hi
case, saying, May you like the con
tents and pointing to Paris, added
'We shall meet there! rode slowly away
wiping the tears from my eyes, and
was well l had not my trumpet with me
for in the joy of my heart [ would hay
; blown the advance on Paris there an
then. Such of the contents Of the cas-
as were for smoking | have smoked
thav wnrn my first and ~ Obably nv las