River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-07-18

/ Unity of mentioning ii to the king. Tbs
colonel was instantly ordered to question
| Morgan; but he at once lost all recollec,
/ ton of the subject.
"He had no brothers: he had made
! the regiment his father and mother and
relations. and there he hoped to live and
die
But he was still urged more strongly,
and at length confessed that he had
brothers, even above the legimental stand
ard, but that nothing N earth could stir
them from their spades
| After some time the king inquired for
the five recruits. and was indignant when
he was told of the impossibility of enlist.
ing them.
'Send the fellow HIMSELF he exclaim-
ed, "and let him bring them back
The order was given; but Morgan was
broken hearted sat the idea of so long an
absence from the regiment lie APP
| piled 70 the colonel to have the order re-
voked, or at least given to some one else.
But this was out OF the question, for Erred
erick's word was always irrevocable; and
Morgan, with disconsolate face, pre-
pared to set out ON his mission But a
new difficulty struck him. "How was he
to make his brothers come unless he
showed them the recruiting money2"
This objection was at last obyiated by the
advance of a sum equal to about three
hundred pounds sterling, as first install
ment Of the purchase of his family.
Like loyal grenadier the Irishman was
now ready to attempt any thing for his
colonel or his king, and Morgan be-
gan his journey.
But, as he was stepping out of the gates
of Potsdam, another difficulty occurred !;
and he returned to tell the colonel that,
of all people existing, the Irish were the
most apt to doubt travellers story, they
being in the habit of a good deal OF ex-
ercise in that style themselves; and that
when he should go back to his own
country, and tell them of the capital
treatment and sure promotion that SOL
dier met with in the guards, the proba-
bility was that they would laugh in his
face. As to the money, "There were
some who would not scruple to say that
he stole it, or tricked some one out of it.
But undoubtedly, when they saw him
walking back only as common soldier,
he was sure they would not believe
syllable, let him say what he would
about rising in the service"
The objection was Ineligible enough,
and the colonel represented it to Freder-
lex, who, doubly outrageous at the delay,
swore gienadier oath, ordered Morgan
to be made sous officer, or upper sergeant,
and with sword and epaulette, sent him
instantly across tho Rhine to convince
his five brothers of the rapidity of Prussian
promotion. Morgan flew to his home in
the County Carlow, delighted the fresides
for many mile round with his having
outwitted king and'a whole battalion
of grenadiers. laid out his recruiting
money on land, and became man of es-
tate at the expense of the Prussian treas
ury.
One ceremony remains to be recorded.
Once year, ON the anniversary of the
day on which he left Potsdam and its
giants behind, he climbed hill within
short distance of his house, turned him.
self in the direction of Prussia, and, with
the most contemptuous gesture which he
could contrive, babe good by to his Males
ty. The ruse was long grea. source OF
amusement, and it hero, like other heroes,
bore through life the name earned by his
exploit Morgan Prussia.