The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-16
A DECORATION WON.

ElSnLy Inousanu meH-lHldu6IyS cav
airy, artillery-are maneuvering on the
plain of r.. The Emperor is review
ing them. The Empress and the Prince
Imperial are by his side. Around them
the brilliant staff, TO which complete
assortment Of foreigners Of distinction
has added itself, glitters, sparkles, and
paws the ground.
All at once the Empress reins in, as
tonished. Her pracLiced eye mas sim
gled out blue and red lancer, who
'Jars" on the eye amid the ranks of her
green and white dragons.
"Why has this lancer taken rank in
my regimentp inquired the sovereign
lady OF her sovereign lord.
81 had not remarked him. Marshal"
The Marshal, Minister OF War, ad-
Vances.
"Wnat is that lancer doing there
among the Empress dragoons ="
81 shall 20 and inquire, sire.'
And the minister of war leaving the
staff, trots, until he has caught up with
the marshal commanding the Imperial
Guard.
"My dear marshal, the emperor sends
me to inquire what that lancer is doing
whom you see down there in the ranks
Of the empress dragoous?"
"My dear minister, l acknowledge
that l am no less surprised than mis-
majesty TO see him there. L shall 60 and
ascertain ang let you have an answer
Immediately"
And the marshal commanding the
guard gallops, gallops, gallOps until he
reaches the general of division, COM
manaer-in-chlef Of the guard.
"Sacrebleul General, explain to me
what that blackguard of a lancer is doing
in the middle OF the Empress dragons.
The Emperor Is very much displeased."
"H-'S fire, marshal! l had not re-
marked it. l shall 90 and find out what
that means"
And the general of division, command =
er-in-chief OF the cavalry Of the guard,
trots - badaboom bad boom! !! -bada.
boom until he has found the general Of
brigade, chief OF the general staff. He
reaches him all out OF breath.
"My dear fellow, the Emperor does
not understand any more than we--do
what that lancer Is doing among the
dra-goons."
"The fact is, this is all humbug. In a
moment pll let you have an answer"
said the General, setting Off at trot, in
search Of the general OF dragons.
But the regiment has begun to march
The general movement.
The general OF brigade, chief of gener-
al stat, gallops gallops! gallopsl dur.
ing ten long minutes. lie arrives quite
out of breath at the ColonePs side.
"Colonell-Colo-nel! The Emperor
inquiries of you how it comes tnat you
have a lancer In your ranks"
II can't leave me head ofmy regiment
to get the information," answers the
Colonel, galloptng on, on, on, saber in
hand, "but address yourself to the chief
Of the second squadron; he may per.
haps know more about it,"
And the regiment continues to detile
as before.
The general of brigade. chief Of gen.
eral stah, beckons TO an aid to come
and speak to him. The aid-de-camp
comes up at tull speed.
"Go at once and inquire of the com.
mander OF the secouu squadron OF the
Empress Dragoons, on the part Of their
| majesties, what that lancer is doing in
our ranks"
The aid-de-camp sets off again at full
speed, at a double gallop.
"COmmander, their majesties wish ia
| know what that lancer Is doing in the
ranks Of your regiment"
"HaVe we lancer in our ranks? Are
you certain of WnaG you say? This is
| Lne first nave neard it. And in tact
why the devil have we a lancer in ouI
ranks? can't leave my command dur
| ing the review, but you will certainly
gam the information you are after il you
address yourself to Captain Grindemil
whom you see down there.'
And the STAFF officer departs again al
full speed, this time at a triple gallop.
"Captain, by order OF the emperor,
why the devil have You u lancer in your
rankW
sit is doubtless an idea of Leutenan,
Clodomir's. That ass is always a, such
| work. am going to see just now this
thing Is. acknowledge it appeared Ia
me TO be an internal idea TO make q
| lancer march that way in our ranks
But il is not who am the master, you
understand"
The regiment still defiled on, and Can.
tain drlndemil sets off at a quadruple
gallop.
"sub.Licutenant Casquapoil, where
the deuce is Lieutenant ClOdomirW
"Captain, the Major has sent for
him."
81 shall take your place in the ranks,
Go quickly and let him know that their
majesties have been much displeased at
seeing a lancer in their ranks. ASK
him, in haste, how the Thing came
about"
The regimen still marched on. And
Sub-Lieutenant Casquapoil departs.
whip and spur ClHg-cling--cling-
his great saber beating the belly OF his
mare and his personal calves. Five
minutes pass; ub-Lieutenant Casqua-
poll does not return. But finally cloud
Of dust advanced; soldier issues from
it dripping with perspiration; it is Sub
Lieutenant Casquapoil.
"Capitaine, Lieutenant Clodomir re-
piled tO me: :HoW do L know anything
OF iti 1t is that confOunded Brigadier
CUrnemusette VINO caused it all. Ask
the captain to have patience. shall 10
alter particulars"
The regiment still marched on, and
while the staff officer waited Sub Lieu
tenant Casquapoll asked Captain Grin
demil to have patience.
But suddenly behold Lieutenant Clod-
omir approaching at full career. The
Sub-Lieutenant 'Casquapoil gallops
ahead OF him.
swell, Lleutenantw
"We are IN bad luck, Captain, The
Brigadier Cornemusette is with the am.
hulance."
"Devil take the whole concern! We
are stuck in the mud"
And the regiment still marched on,