St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-05
Who IS SCHAhLIhG :?
Fort Smelling Comes to the
Front With an Interest
ing Mystery
WHICH PUZZLES THEM ALL.
N. V. SchaPling, an Honored
Officer in the Danish
Army,
WHICH PUZZLES THEM ALL.
IS DINED BY THE OFFICERS,
Then Surprises Them by En-
listing as a Private--
Why Is He There?

And now prosaic old Fort Smelling
comes to the front with romantic
mystery that has created small-sized
sensation at the post, has puzzled every
one and started the tongue OF wonder
and curiosity to wagging vigorously.
In the presence of young private
soldier in Company c, Third infantry,
there turks mystery that has DISTURBED
the rest Of many wise othcer at TIE
post, while the innocent cause OF all the
wonder goes on as if nothing had hap
pened, attending to the regular duties
of the private soldier and eating at the
mess table with as much apparent un-
concern and contentment as If he had
no: been an honorsd officer i'll the
Danish army, but had spent his life in
the service of Uncle Sam as common,
ordinary, everyday, go-as-you please
private.
In morning paper of Saturday ap-
peared the following paragraph:
Capt. NJ. Scharling, OF the Danish
navy, commanding the cruiser Absolom,
which is HOW on the West Indian sta
ton, is visiting his brother, NV. Schar-
ling. late lieutenant i'll the Danish army,
now of the United States regulars at
Fort Smelling.
While this item looked innocent
enough, the investigations Of the GLOBE
show that there is story, and mys-
terious one, behind it.
Less than manth ago there appeared
at the post tail, very good looking
Young fellow of military bearing and
refined features. He was taken for an
officer by the soldiers who passed him
at the entrance to the post. They
accordingly saluted and II. returned the
salute in the usual dignltied form. He
passed Oh UP the snow-ceyered road-
way, past the lower barracks and grad
ually neared the administration build
ing. He met many more soldiers. and
they at once sized him up, from his
manner and walk. as an officer.
The Customary Salute
followed an be returned the officers
salute. He eyed the grounds and every
thing about him with critical air and
the eye OF military man. There was
an air of quiet, manly dignity about
him that fitted him we'll, and when two
OF the commissioned officers met him on
the Sidewalk, they instinctively felt that
he was an officer and expected some
form of greeting. He only returned a
formal bow aud passed on up the steps
red the office of Lieut.. Reeves, who
was officer of the day.
He introduced himself as Lieut.. n. V
Scharling, of the Danish army. visiting
America in quest of information that
would be OF benefit to the army of his
native land. In short, hewas making a
study of the American army. its equip
ment and mode of warfare. He intend
ed to visit most of the army posts i'll
America, but had decided to make his
first visit to Smelling for reasons best
known to himself. He had but lately
reached the country and would be i'll
finltely obliged if the officers of the post
would aid him in his search for knowl-
edge.
Lieut.. Reeves received him with the
courtesy characteristic of the American
army officer, and introduced him TO his
brother officers. all of whom placed
themselves at Lieut.. Scharling's dis
posal, and felt glad of the opportunity
to entertain him. In short time the
Danish officer AMI the officers at Smell
ing were on the most intimate terms.
Lieut.. Scharing talked i'll the most en-
tertaining fashion of the Danish army.
From his conversation it was evident 10
the Smelling officers that he was all he
pretended to be, and had seen consider
able service.
His appearance in every way bore out
his assertion. He was splendidly
dressed, and his attire showed that he
was man of taste and refinement. His
speech was fauItless SO far as construc-
ton was concerned, but it had the
Natural Danish Accent
Evidently Lieut.. Scharling was
man of education. and he proved de-
lightful conversationalist. He was a
clever companion. aud after awhile.
when his reserve had been broken
through, he was most affable and jolly.
He was cordially invited to make
Smelling his home while he was in this
vicinity and with studied air Of polite
ness he bowed his thanks and mur-
INJURED that he would be only too pleased
to accept of the hospitality of Fort
Snelling. of which lie had read SO much.
That day he took dinner with one OF
the officers, and the two hours at table
proved very agreeable for all present.
The lieutenant diseoursed pleasingly
about his native country, the customs Of
the people, etc., but he shone with eff
fulgent light when the subject of the
Danish army was brOached. Had there
been any doubts as to the lieutenant's
identity, they were quickly dispelled
when he entered ints the history or the
Danish army and It's equipment, its
strength and the rules Of lis service. In
fact there has never been any dispute
as to ScharIlng's identity, for it was
abundantly proved by the visit of his
brother last week. the brother being a
captain in the Danish navy and at pres
ent in active service.
Lieut.. Scharfing returned to the city
that night, but the next morning was
back at Smelling. He could have ac-
eepted any one of half dozen invita-
tions to spend the night at the post. but
for some reason he preferred to remain
in the city. The next day, however. he