The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-01-27

very grand. to be sure, being simply the
plain green coat OF Russian private, so
soiled and threadsare that an old-olothes
man would scarcely have taken it as q
gift. But re was as tall as Big Michael
himeelf, while his huge limbs and brawny
chest made such chow of strength that
most people would have thought II much
better to shake hands with him than to
fight him.
49," said the green.coated man qni-
etlv, Zone Silesian Is a match for half .
dozen Russians eh>2 Well, CAP see that
he's their match at Dragging, anyhow
The Russians chuckled at this unpx.
pec,ed hit aud one Of them laughed out
right. Kra'sch's face flashed purple with
rage and for moment he seemed just
about to fly at the speakers throat hu,
there was something in the strangers
bearing, and In the calm, ,steadfast glance
OF his keen black eye which cowed the
fierce soldier who drew back with sud
den growl.
"Well." said Greencoat quietly. eve
Russians have saving that corn doesn',
grow by talking. II you are match, q.
you say, for any half dozen of US, let vi
see what you can do"
"Could you throw that atone further
than l can" asked the Silesian, pointing
to heavy stone at his feet.
81 can better snswer that when l hav'
seen you throw it," replid Greencoat al
coolly as ever.
| Michael Kratsch threw of his coat snt
barring an arm as thick as an ordinary
mans knee, hurled the stone seven goot
yards away.
The unknown threw, in his turn, st
carelessly that be seemed hardly to exer
himself at all,yet the stone fell more thar
foot beyond Kra'sch's mark
The Russians raised shout Of triumph
and Michael's face grew black as mid
night.
"Are you as nimble With your feet al
with your hands ?" growled he through
his aet teeth,
"Try," answered Greencoat simply.
| Kratsch pointed te broad ditch. a lit
tie behind them, and, taking short run
shot through the air like au arrow. Tht
ditch was fully fifteen feet wide from
bank to bank, yet he alighted several in
ches beyond 1t.
"Pretty fair" said the unknown smil
ing; shut think can mstch it."
And so be did, for his leap overpassed
Kratsch's by six inches at least. Al the
sight of the heavy Russian faces grinnsue
from ear to ear over his discontinue the
Silesian's eyes flashed FIRE.
"You haven't done with me yet" he
roared. "smart though you think your
self Dare you wrestIe fall with me r
| Without word, the stranger threw of
his coat and stepped forward ~ ss;
II was grand and terrible sight t.
see the two giants strain their mighty
limbs, and seize each other with their
iron arms, both faces growing suddenly
hard and stern as they grappled. Every
man among the lookers-on held his
breath as that great struggle began.
Thrice did the Silesian make ire
mendous effort to throw his enemy with
strength that seemed able to bear up
an Oak tree by the roots But the Rnsa
sian, though shaken, stubbornlv kept his
feet, until Kratsch paused, breathless
and utterly spent.
Teen the watching ewes sll around
saw the strangers arms tighten sudden-
", and Big Michaers huge, broad back
bend slowly in. Furionsly he struggled
against the over-mastering clutch but
be had no more chance than an OK in the
coils OF boa. At last the unknown
Lifted hin fairly of his feet, and hurled
aim backward with such force that he
ell with q dull crash against a large
ltone behind him, and lay stunned and
noaionless.
just then was heard cry Of "There
he is there he isT and several richly
tressed men, running up to the spot.
bowed reverently to the green.coated
soldier.
S"We have been looking for your Ma
jesty," said one Of them, "to give you
these dispatches, which a courier has
lust brought from Moscow"
At the word "Msjesty" the Russian
recruits all fell on their knees, consider
ably startled to find that this shabby
coated private was no other than the
Gar himself-Peier the Great of Russia.
"Up with you, lads!' cried Peter
.skneel to no one hut God. You are
Russian soldiers, and I'm your general (;
that's ALL"
Then he tnrned to Kratsch, who Law
groanins on the ground, with his left
arm broken.
"rll forgive thee this time. fellow"
said the Czsr; shut If ever / catch thee
.ill.treating child again, look out! As
for these soldiers of mine at whom you
laugh, within Ave years they shall be the
wonder OF all Europe"
! And so tbev were.