The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-03-09

Stephen lived fora short time in close
retirement in one of the garrisoned
towns in the interior Of Hungary.
The general, the recently appointed
to the command Of the garrison, was
very much feared for his intolerance
Of any great or small military pecca-
dilloes, and the rigid enforcement Of
rules, in which respect his predeces-
sor was rather lay,
An order prohibiting officers from
appearing abroad in civilians dress
under penalty Of arrest and punish.
ncnt, was strictly enforced under
this commanders regime. Neyerthe-
less, a first lieutenant ventured to
brave the order, and one morning,
tempted by the beauty Of the day,
and no telling what else, he olsen
numbered himself of his uniform,
and wandered into the village, Ev-
crything favored him until about
half way tohis quarters on his return,
when, hcavonsl he saw the general
marching, like the stern Dragon that
he was, directly towards him. Was
thcrcno escape?
Ha! Brave boy that he was, his
good genius did not forsake him,
Just in advance of him, on the other
side of the road, two gentlemen were
walking leisurely along Like fash
the idea burst upon him. Rapidly
crossing, he placed himself between
them, apologizing for his intrusion,
by explaining his dilemma, and re-
qucstcd permission to walkwith them
until the general had passed,
1t was granted, of course.
AS the dreaded commander advan-
ccd, the lieutenant was 50 deeply in
tcrestcd in his conversation with the
gentlemen, he did not notice the pro
found bow with which his party was
honorcd by his superior, and imagin-
ed he had escaped his Argus eyes,
and when by evening no order came
to startle him, he congratulated him
self on having surmountcd his trou-
bic.
He was mistaken. Early the fol-
lowing morning he was notified to
appear before the commandment,
With quaking heart he obeyod, Pre-
pared for the worst, he was not a lit,
tie surprised to be greeted most kind
ly on his entrance with the quiet
question
"How is it, lieutenant, that YOU
yenturcdt odisobey orders Yesterday
"Your pardon, general" he replied,
encouraged and relieved. pardon
me in consideration of the circum-
stances, this time. l was taken I'M
awarcs by the visit of some relatives,
who were so pressing in their inyi-
tation to have me join them in
walk as they were leaving, and as
they were on the point of departing,
without moments consideration |
went with them in the dress | hap
pened to be in. Myviolation of rules
merits the scverest censure, but |
hope your cxccllcncy will be morci-
full, and pardon what will never &C.
cur again"
"Ahl The gentlemen were relatives
Of yours?'
Eyes, your oxccllcncy, very near
and dear relatives of my recently de-
ceased mother
"Tndeedl | am uncommonly reioic-
cd to hear that you are well connect
ed, and for the sake Of these relations
| will substitute mercy for justice
and overlook the offense, See thatit
does not occur again.
Your cxccllency is gracious,
thankfully exclaimed the culprit,
feeling as if an impending storm had
suddenly cleared away without any
thundcrbolts, "Any other orders,
sir?'
ayes, You are invited ;oaccompany
me to the residence of his highness,
the archduko, to dinner to-day
Sharp three o'clock is the hour"
To say that our lieutenant was
amazed would be giving Il faint de-
Scription of his feelings. They were
Of 4 most astounding character, and
reached the highest pitch when he
recognized in his imperial host and
his adjutant his companion Of the
day before and his deceased mothers
dear relations.