The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-28
THE TWO LlEUTENANTS

tAlex. E. Sweet-Trans from the 6erInan.l
A certain man by the name OF Carl
Schmidt joined the army, and became q
lieutenant in a battery of artillery, which
was stationed at the time of our story in
small Prussian town. As he had no infiu-
ence at headquarters, promotion was very
slow, being almost as slow as the action in
supreme court. Other and less deserving
officers were advanced, but Lieut.. Carl
Schmidt did not advance except in age aud
experience He was still lieutenant when
his hair became gray Hoary headed lea
tenants are quite common in the German
army.
Lieut.. Schmidt had married very early in
life. In due time son was born, to whom
was given his fathers name As soon as the
son was old enough be was sent to the mill
tary academy, and after having graduated,
was assigned to the same battery in which
his father was lieutenant. There were,
therefore, two lieutenants by the name of
Carl Schmidt in the same battery. But what
was more peculiar still, was the fact that
father and son were identical in form and
feature, except that while the hair and mus
tache of the father were snowy white, those
of the son were jet, glossy black. The son
had an old look, which gave him a more
venerable appearance than that of most men
of his age, while the father, who was of
lively turn of mind, seemed to be younger
than he really was
AT first the son lived with his parents, but
on the death of his mother, father and son
no longer lived together. Each one rented
himself room The younger man preferred
this mode of life, as it gave him more liberty
In order to prevent confusion the father was
known among his army friends Schmidt
No. !, while the son was called Schmidt No.
2 They were so identical in personal ap-
pearance that had the son powdered his hair,
the most intimate friends Of the two Lieuts
Schmidt would not have been able to decide
in what relation they stood to each other
Schmidt No. l was in the habit Of inviting
officers, who visited the town in which his
battery was stationed, to lodge with him
He had a large number of acquaintance
among the older army officers, one of whom
was stopping with him at the time at which
our story begins This officer, who belonged
to the Dragons although no longer young,
had remarkably black hair.
Schmidt No. l, on coming into the room
of his guest one morning, observed that he
he had just taken the cork
"What have you got there-liver regu
lator, or something for your stomach's sake2'
quered old Schmidt.
The guest seemed to be annoyed, and re-
placing the cork, replied that it was a rem.
ely for dandruF, and placed the bottle on
the edge of the window behind the curtain.
The guest left few hours afterward.
The Incident had passed out of the mind of
Sch midi No. /, and he would perhaps never
have recalled it had he not noticed the bottle
few days afterwsri 1t then occurred to
him that he, too, was troubled with dandruf
i'll his hair and nustache, so he up
piled the stuff his guest had left be-
hind hberallv. He had scarcely done so
when glancing at the clock, he perceived
it was time for him to appear on the parade
ground TO superintend the drilling of the
recruits. Selling his cap and sword he hur-
ried out Had he looked in the glass he
would have been somewhat surprised, for the
alleged euro fer dandruf was simply hair
dye, and the snowy hair and mustache of
Schmidt No l were as black as a ravens
wing. The only points Of resemblance be-
tween himself and son were completely
wiped cut TO ell outward appearances
father and son were absolutely identical, al
though Schmidt No. was utterly ignorant
OF tine transformation that had taken place
in his personal appearance.
The captain Of the battery, who was an
Old gentleman by the name Of Braun was
already on the parade ground, waiting for
the arrival of his friend Schmidt No. /.
Capt. Braun was greatly gratiied when he
saw his friend coming, for they were great
chaps and they loved to chat together As
Schmidt No. drew near Braun, the latter
perceived by the black hair and mustache
that he was mistaken that it was Schmidt
No. 2; so be thought
Good morning, Lieut.. Schmidt Where is
your father this morning2'
Now the father of Lieut.. Schmidt No.
had been dead many years, hence the old
lieutenant stared stupidity at his superior
officer instead of answering. He was under
the impression that he had not heard Alright
"Your father is well hope" continue /
Capt. Braun.
ANY father" inquired Schmidt, looking
still more perplexed, and satisfied in his
own mind that his hearing had become de-
fective.
Yes, your father ! thought expressed
myself very clearly. What cause is there
for surprise in my asking sfter the health
of your father" asked Capt Braun.
"You are very kind, 1 en- sure, TO maks
inquiry replied Schmidt No. l, "but. cap
tain, my father is dead unfortunately"
"Dead!' almost shrieke1 old Braun, "did
you say dead"
ayes, dead, replied Schmidt No. open-
ing mis- eyes wider than ever.
my God! 1t is dreadful How true it il
that in the midst of life we are in death.
Merciful heavens, how did it happen."
His horse fell on him and broke bis
neck"
The old captain claspcd his hands in silent
agony, and InutteriDg, "it sdreadful, dread
full" walked slowly away.
Schmidt No. did not know what to think
Why his father, who had been dead twenty
five years, should become the object of in
terest to Capt Braun at that late day was
m ore than he could apprehend He gazeI
at tho rctreating form of his superior officer
until he turned a corner and was out of
sight, and then soliloquized:
This beats anything have experienced
yet. Poor old Braun must haze softening
of the brain, or else he has taken to drink
ing"
Just then Lieut.. Scholz, another officer be-
longing to the same battery, came around
the corner.
Good morning, Schmidt"
"Good morning, Scholz By the way,
School," said Schmidt No. l, did you meet
old Capt Braun just nowa"
q did"
Did you observe anything peculiar about
HIM"
Eyes, he looked as if he had been crying?"
q thought so. Either the old man has
lost his faculties, or else he has taken to
strong drink"
Il can't believe that He is not that sort
of a man"
There is certainly something wrong about
him. There is a screw loose about him
somewheres."
what makes you think SO, Schmidt~
"Well, just think; he asked me a while
ago how my father was coming on. Did you
ever hear anything like thatp
"Wby shouldn't he ask how your father
was coming on2 don't see anything very
strange in his asking you about your
father"
Schmidt No looked at Lieut.. Scholz with