The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-06-12
For the anderson hteligeneer.
TRANSLATED FROM TIE GERMAN.
NOBLE REVENGE

NOBLE REVENGE.
TRANSLATED FROM TIE GERMAN.
In an Austrian regiment that was in garrison
in Mainz, served Captain Meyer few years
ago-a man of very quiet character, who
would hardly enjoy the feasts of the officers,
but would rather occupy his spare time with
literary studies. On this account. he was not
popular among his comrades; nay, they even
went SO far as to consider him a coward, who
did not possess the necessary courage which q
soldier and officer of the army ought to have.
About that time the regiment got new
commander in the person of Count Won Ha-
ssnburg, quite young man, who was known
by the entire army for his tricks and adven-
lures, and who had only advanced to this high
position as being relative of the Queen of
England. He was soon made acquainted with
the views of his officers about Capt. Meyer, and
Immediately resolved to try him, to be satisfied
whether the Judgment of his officers was cor
rect or not.
At dinner, to which all his officers were
invited, he arranged it so that the Captain
would occupy the seat next to his. During the
feast the Count was more and more satisfied
that his officers had judged him rightly, and
also began to consider him coward, but made
up his mind to have proof of it. At the des-
sert he led the conversation on pistol-shooting,
of which he was master himself, and finally
sent his servant for his pistols, to give some
proof of his skill and ability in handling them.
The pistols were brought, and after the Count
had loaded them, he took small cake from
the table, and asked Captain Meyer politely to
walk to the opposite side of the hall and hold
it up for target.
All the officers at the large dinner-table lis
tened attentively, and all thought that the
Captain would reject the proposition, as the
Colonel had drank several glasses of cham
pagne during the dinner.
81 hope that you will not give me any rea-
son to believe that you are afraid, nor that you
dislike the smell of powder, Captain" said the
Count, sarcastically.
aNo," replied the Captain, in his genuine
Bavarian dialect, "do not suppose that"
He then left his chair, and taking the cake,
silently walked to the end of the hall. Here
he stood in an upright position, his left hand on
his back, and his right arm extended, holding
the cake between his thumb and forehnger.
The Count, seeing that Meyer got ready
quickly drank another glass of champagne,
took up the pistol and fred.
Captain Meyer had not moved-even his
features did not show the least excitement, and
in picking up the cake he observed the hole in
it that the ColonePs pistol had made.
The noise and whispering of the officers
ceased at once, and the most of them repented
of having thought so bad of one of their COM
panions but the Count, led by his good heart,
hurried toward the Captain, to tender him his
compliments and those of the party.
In the meantime Meyer, who had laid the
cake upon the table, seized the other pistol,
and. looking at it on oil sides, said with
smile:
"I owe you my thanks, Colonel; you are an
excellent shot, for you have treated me finely.
Not even one Of my fingers are hurt Ishoald
like very much myself to try that trick also; /;
and if you would do me favor, you will please
hold the cake for me- would be the happiest
man in the world if should happen to bring
it down."
It was interesting to observe the faces OF
those present Some looked shocked, and 9th
ers astonished. The dice had fallen for the
honor of the Count, who plainly showed his
excitement.
"But you said just now that you had never
fred pistol in yonr life," he replied, hesita-
tatingly.
$50 did, Colonel" said the Captain, with
the friendliest smile in the world; "but so
much more should be pleased if should
bring the cake down."
Well, there was no use in reasoning and the
Count, in order to keep up his respect in the
army was obliged 20 comply with his Captains
request. None knew what his heart felt, but
without uttering another word, he took the
cake, and without further hesitation walked to
the same spot where before the Captain had
held the dangerous target for him. Here he
leaned against the wall, holding up the cake.
The Captain raised the pistol and took aim.
It lasted long The fearful weapon moved
and trembled awfally in his unskilled hand.
Silence reigned SO that one might hear the
beating of hearts. All held their breath.
Finally, the Captain lowered the pistol
"I see," he sad unconsciously, cit shakes
almost too much. had rather not shoot, for
pyobt ba