Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-05
LADY LAYTON's TRAVELS.
How an Austrian Soldier Be-
came the Secretary of am Adj
ventures.
Vienna Lattar.

named Louis Radesky, who gained his
distinction not on account of his talent
before the footlights, but owing to the
hair breadth ESCAPES and strange vi.
oissitudes Of iortHne that have be-
fallen him since he last left Vienna.
In the year $50 Radesky was an actor
who enjoyed popularity in the differ
ent provinces along the Danube, but
firing of his rowing life, he entered
the army as hussar. He Joined the
regiment of Radesky, which was then
garrisoned ia a small town named
PardubiE, within few miles of this
city. He was of rather slim build,
and owing to that fact when entering
the regiment, he was jeered at by a
corporal who was the acknowledged
bully of the regiment. Being unac.
quainted at that time with military
life, Radesky politely informed the
man that size was not q criterion for
bravery.
A duel with swords was decided
upon and they met. If the Corporal
had imagined he could gain an easy
victory he was greatly mistaken, as
Radesky's stage training had familiar
ICED him with the use of the sword,
and the training came in good stead on
this occasion. He disarmed the bully
three times in succession and finally
gave him thrust through the shoulds
er that necessitated his removal to the
hospital, where he remained for six
weeks. After this display of skill our
actor was disturbed no more, but, on
the contrary, he gained the respect
and esteem of his comrades through
several acts of bravery, notably the
rescue of whole family from burn
ing building when the military had
been called out to assist the tremen,
who were powerless. Nothing is
more admired than bravery in the
army, and these teats on his
part gained Radesky the good will of
his officers, whe often allowed him the
privileges generally denied to soldier.
10 parade the streets in mutt" or
citizens clothes is strictly forbidden
in the Austrian army, but Radesky's
officers closed their eyes to this rule
when they perceived we'll dressed,
we'll bred citizen who at roll call an.
swerOd to the name of private Ra.
desky.
Radesky one day got the usual leave
OF absence for 48 hours, and Kidding
himself of his splendid white breasted
uniform he donned civilians suit
that was conveniently awaiting him in
a small house situated few hundred
yards from the barracks. Little did
he think that he had taken off his
badge of .servitude for the last time.
With sense Of relief he walked with
hurried step toward town. Thinking
over his strange lot in life, he was
gently sauntering along the Tabor
strasse in Vienna when the frightened
screams OF the people around him at
tracted his attention. Two horses
were dashing at headlong speed
down the street, dragging after
them a barouche in which a LADY
was seated. She was screaming for
some one to stop the horses, who had
been frightened and were tearing away
at breakneck pace. The light
carriage struck against a projecting
stone near the curb, when Radesky
came to the rescue. Without a mo-
ment's hesitation he rushed across the
street just in time to catch the horses
by the head, who, checked in their
mad course, reared and plunged go
much that the brave mans life was
Tor a time in great danger. As soon
as he was freed from his dangerous
position Radesky limped to the car
riage, where the lady had tainted and.
stepping into the vehicle. he did ali
in his power to revive the occupant
who he perceived was a beautiful
noble woman. His efforts were soon
crowned with success, and the most
tender black eyes in the world beam
ed forth gratitude for their owners
deliverance from peril.
As soon as she could speak she told
her brave preserver that her name
was Lady Layton, and that she was
passing through Vienna on a tour of
the world. She would have told more
had not Rsdesky swooned from the
pain caused by his injuries.
Lady Layton Immediately drove the
now pacified and obedient horse to her
hotel, where she gave orders for Ra.
desky's comfort. For several days he
was in a bad state, as the kick from
the horse proved to be excessively
painful, if not dangerous, but these
days were happy ones to him as he
was watched over day and night by
Lady Layton. The thought never
entered his mind of returning to the
barracks, but if he forgot his duty the
Colonel did not, and on the fourth
day Of his accident a provost guard
made its appearance at his bedside.
They only relinquished their object of
bringing him back fettered as a de-
serter when the reason Of his absence
had been explained that the doctor
had given a certificate showing that
removal would prove dangerous to the
patient. Radesky acknowledged to
Lady Layton that he was very tired
OF military life, and would give much
to be free.
The ladyimmediately set about pro.
curing his discharge from the army
She successfully went to the Colonel
OF his regiment, who refused to Sane
ton such step, and in sheer despair
Lady Layton applied for an aud,
ienpe Of the Austrian minis,
ter Of war, through the English consul,
who, touched by her evident sorrow
and previous i'll success, granted her
the honorable discharge of the soldier.
She returned to the prisoner with the
joyful tidings, aud they talked over his
future movements. Radesky wished
to return to his profession as an actor,
Init Lady Iavton nronnaad that he