The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-06
AN INVOLUNTARY HERO.
How Two Pieces of Hot Ham Won an
Onicer's Promotion.

OiiiSCl . lOlliOllOu
A Polish officer, now dead, who came
to the United States shortly after the
Russians suppressed the Polish rebellion
under Gen. Chlopicki. in 1881, used to
tell with much zest-th story of his pro-
motion from the ranks, He was pri-
waite of cavalry when Chlopicki's retreat
began. The troops had made Il weary
night march, and were in bivouuc for
breakfast when scouts brought word that
they were almost surrounded by Rus
sian force. Instantly the Poles hurried to
their saddles, mounted and sought II way
of escape.
The young cavalryman had been boil
ing some pieces of ham for himself in q
camp kettle. Anxious to "save his ba-
con" he dumped the half boiled meat into
his saddle-bags and joined his compan-
IONS
Two minutes later his horse became
FESTIVE at II most inOpportune moment,
for on surmounting a ridge the Poles
found themselves confronted by Rus
sian force of infantry.
There was but one thing to be DONE
The Russian line must be brken through
at once. 1t was being rapidly reinforced
Ii the Poles failed to cut their way out
at the first charge they must all be cap
tured.
On they rushed at the order to cl rrge,
and now our young troopers horse had
become fairly frantic and quite uncon-
reliable. He sprang away far in advance
of the charging line. The rider deter
mined to make the best fight be could,
swung his sabre, took stronger grip with
his knees, and gazed hard at the face of
the Russian he expected to be launched
against
Just then volley hurtled into the
nj, INN
rider escaped unharmed. a few mo-
ments and they were upon the enemy.
Usually II horse refuses to leap at bay
onets, but this one jumped .uriously at
the kneeling front rank and such was the
momentum and fury of the beast that the
Russians just in his front lost ne e,
broke and gave him entrance.
Through the gap thus made other
Poles sprung Il moment latter Striking
right and left they widened the breach
and in ten seconds the Russian infantry
was demoralized The Poles escaped with
slight loss, and 1T WIS not long before
the young leader quieted his steed, di.-
mounted and found i chance to examine
his half cooled ham.
A few hours later the Polish general of
cavalry rode up to the captain of the
troop that had so distinguished itself,
complimented him, and said: by the
way, captain, who was that splendid
young officer that lead you all imp
HE wasn't an Office; thai was only
ooe of my boys
''No1 an officer May the bullets strike
me if don make him one Call him
here at once"
The general shook bands with the
youth, promoted him 20 a lieuteuancy
then and the e and gave him place on
his staff.
Some days later, when the captain
called at headquarters he ought out the
new lieutenant. whom he fou nd dolefully
contemplating his unsad led horse, which
had huge, raw sore on each side.
"What on Garth is the matter W .th
your ho-se?'' asked the captain.
Oh, nothing much"
''But what made those terrible sores?n
"The same thing that made me lieu
tenant said the hero. GA big chunck
of hot ham in each saddle bag; but for
the love Of the saints don't tell the gen
cral or the boys. "-Youth's Companion.