Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-11-27

AAoEONuh'
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 private of cavalry when Chic
plcki3s 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 a 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 most inop
perfume moment, for ON surrounding a
ridge the Poles had found themselves
confronted by Russian force OF in
fantry.
There was but one 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 uncomfortable. He sprang far
away in advance of the charging
line. The rider, determining to
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 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 IN
leap at bayonets, but this one iumped
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 moment later. 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 was not long
before their young leader quieted his
steed, dismounted and found a chance
to examine his half-cooked ham.
A few hours later the Polish general
of cavalry rode up to the captain of
the troop that had SO distinguished
itself eomplimented him and said: "By
the way, captain. who was that splendid
young officer that led you all in?"
He wasn't an officer; that was only
one of my boys"
Not an officer! May the bullets
strike me II don't make him one! Cali
him out here at once"
The general shook hands with the |
youth, promoted him to a lieutenancy |
hen and there and gave aim a place.
On his staff.
Some days later when the captain
JAILED at headquarters, he sought ont
he new lieutenant, whom he found
iolefully contemplating his nnsaddled
lorse, which had huge raw sore on
zach side.
What on earth is the matter with
our horse?' asked the captain.
"Oh. nothing muchg'
But what made these terrible
ores?'
The same thing that made me lieu
enant, said the hero. "A big chunk
u hot ham in each saddle-bag; but, for
he love of the saints, don't tell the gem
raj or the boys"