The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-04-13
A Princes Revenge.

In European countries, Wnere pflnCes
become titular colonels at the age OF
ten, and assume actual command of
regiment before really entering upon
their practical military education under
the guidance of some veteran general,
it occurs quite frequently that prince
should assert the authority which his
station as member of the imperial
family insures to him over any higher
commissioned officer, to remind his
superiority over him as prince even
though he be his subordinate as an
officer IN the field. On this score an
amusing story is whispered in well in
f formed circles about the Archduke
Johann Salvador, nephew of the EN-
peror of Austria. The prince is de.
scribed as wanton, fun loving char
acter, and many are the anecdotes of
his humor at the expense of Others,
though TO his credit it is said that in
all his escapades he never exceeds the
bounds of the innocent harmless.
Recently the prince commanded his
regiment at a man9uvre held under
the auspices of an old and tried gen
eral, who had lately been the favorite
target of the princes humor. Here the
general saw his opportunity for retri-
button. When at the close of the
maneuvre, AS is customary, the officers
collected about their leader to receive
his criticisms of the different regiments,
the general expressed his satisfaction
with the troop in the main, but contin-
ued, in a tone of infinite sarcasm 81
cannot refrain to mark that the defile
of No (the princes OWN twas very
unsatisfactory. The bearing of the
troop was bad; and in fact all through
the manPuvre 1T showed poor drilling
and leadership. A rapid and radical
change would be desirable" So speak
ing, with self-satisGed smile be turned
in his saddle, and entering into con
versation with an officer at his side, ht
entirely ignored the presence of the
prince, who. with cold salute, turned
his horse and galloped away, for ever
he, while in the character of soldier
would not dare to utter a word in dis
respect to his superior. But if reveng,
was denied to him in his present posi-
tion, he could easily achieve it in tn,
character of a prince. And he was no
slow to avail himself of this opportu
nifty.
A few minutes later, ere the groul
around the commander had yet dis
persed, to the surprise of all ther
sounded the well-known bugle sigma
announcing the approach of a membe
of the imperial household. The gen
eral, as becomes his position, was at th
head of the staff to receive so uneS
pected a visitor, when much to hi
chagrin, he perceived that it was johann
Salvador, who had returned, accom-
panied by his attaches. With uncor
cerned mien the prince galloped fol
ward, and returning condescendingl
the salute of the general, he demande
from him a report of the manpuvr,
which the commander could not den
to his Imperial Highness. Then he e,
press d his desire to witness detile..o
the troop, to which the general had t
submit, and gave orders accordingly.
| Closely the prince scrutinized eao
regiment, and when the last compan
had passed him, he turned to the gel
eral, and amid the respectful silence
all, he expressed in dignified languse
his disapproval of the manpuvr
General" he continued, sit shows po,
drilling and bad leadership. A rapi
and ra1ical change would indeed
very desirable. Entirely satisfied, hoy
ever, am | with No again it W;
the princes OWN, "Will you kind
transmit to its commander my thanl
and my hearty approval of the exec
lent bearing which that regiment h,
shown during, the defle :" So sayir
he turned about and galloped ava
leaving behind him cloud of dust al
= the stupe6ed general.--C. b., in Ha
3 per's Mdgazi1ee for AprH.