Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-12-17

A Polish officer, now dead, who came
to the United States soon after the
Russians suppressed the Polish insur-
rection under Gen. Chlopicki in 1881,
used to tell with much zest the story
of his promotion from the ranks. He
was a private of cavalry when Chic
picki's retreat began. The troops had
made weary night march, and were
In bivOuac for breakfast when scouts
brought word that they were almost
surrounded by Russian force. IN
stantly the Poles hurried to their sad
dies, mounted and sought way of
escape.
The young cavalryman had been boil
ing some pieces of ham for himself in
camp kettle. Anxious to save his
bacon" he dumped the half boiled meat
into his saddle bags and joined his
companions. Two minutes later his
horse became FESTIVE. at a most mop
perfume moment, for on surrounding a
ridge the Poles had found themselves
confronted by Russian force of in
tantry.
There was but ole thing to be done.
The Russian line must be broken
through at once. 1t was being rapidly
REINFORCED. If the Poles should fail to
cut their way out at the first charge
they must be all captured.
On they rushed at the order to charge
and now our young troopers horse had
become thoroughly frantic and
quite uncontrollablc, He sprang far
away in advance of the charging
line. The rider, determining 70
make the best of the fight he
could swung his saber, took a stronger
grip with his knees and gazed hard at
the face of the Russian he expected to
be launched against
Just then a volley was hurled into the
charging line but the foremost horse
and rider escaped unframed. A few
moments and they were upon the
enemy. Usually horse refuses tC
leap at bayonets. but this one jumped
furiously at the kneeling front rank
and such was the momentum and fury
of the beast that the Russians just in
his front lost their nerve. broke and
gave him entrance.
Through the gap thus made other
Poles sprang a moment later. Striking
right and left, they widened the breach
and in ten seconds the Russian infantry
was dcmoralized The Poles escaped
| with slight loss, and It was not Iona
before their young leader quoted his
| steed, dismounted and found chalcJ
| to examine his half-cookcd ham
A few hours later the Polish genera
| OF cavalry rode up to the captain 81
| the troop that had SC distinguis het
| itself, complimcntcd him and said; by
| the way. captain, who was that spieldit
| young officer that led you all in?"
"Ile wasn't an officer. that was onl,
one of my boys
Not an officer. May the bullet,
| strike me if don't make him one. Cal
| him out here at once
The general shook hands with ,h'
| youth, promoted him @ a Lieutenant!
, then and there and gave him a plac,
| On his staff.
| Some days later when the captain
called at headquarters, he sought on
| the new lieutenant, whom he foun,
/ dGlefully contemplating his unsaddle,
| horse. which had IL huge raw sore OF
| each side.
What on earth is the matter will
| your horse" asked the captain
"Oh. nothing much.
But what made these terribl
| sores?"
THE same thing that made me lien
| tenant" said the hero. "A big clIunl
! of hot ham in each saddle-bag: but. TO
! the love o: the saints, don't tell the gen
! eral or The boys