The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-08
THE MAKING HERO.
How = Private Won Promotion With q
Very Hot Ham.

A Polish officer, now dead, who came to
the United States soon after the Russians
suppressed the Polish instruction under
General Chlopicki in 1881, used to tell
with much zest the story of his promotion
from the ranks. He was private of cav
airy when Chlopicki's retreat began. The
troops had made weary night march and
were in bivOuac for breakfast when scouts
brought word that they were almost sur
rounded by Russian force Instantly the
Poles hurried to their saddles, mounted
and sought way of escape.
The young cavalryman had been boiling
some pieces of ham for himself in camp
kettle. Anxious to save his bacon, " he
dumped the half boiled meat into his sad
dlebags and joined his companions. Two
minutes later his horse became FESTIVE at
d most inOppOrtune moment, for on sur
mounting a ridge the Poles had found
themselves confronted by a Russian force
of infantry.
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 all be cap
tured. On they rushed at the order to
charge, and now our young troopers horse
had become fairly frantic and quite uncon-
trollable. He sprang away far in advance
of the charging line. The rider, determin-
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 hurtled into the charg-
ing line, but the foremost horse and rider
escaped unframed A few moments and
they were upon the enemy. Usually
horse refuses to leap at bayonets, but this
one jumped furiously at the kneeing front
rank, and such was the momentum and
fury of the beast that the Russians just in
his front lost 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 de-
moralized. The Peles escaped with slight
loss, and it was not long before the young
leader quoted his steed. dismounted and
found 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 distinguished itself, comph-
mented him and said, BY the way, cap
tain, who was that splendid young officer
that led you all in?''
He wasn't an officer. That was only
one of nay boys"
mot an ofIioerl May the bullets strike
me if don't make him onei Call him out
here at once
The general shook hands with the youth,
promoted him to a ieatenancy then and
there and gave him place on his staff.
Some days later, when the captain called
at headquarters he sought out the new
lieutenant, whom he found dolefully con-
templating his unsaddIed horse, which
had huge, raw sore On each side.
What on earth is the matter with your
horse?'' asked the captain. =
ooh, nothing muchr'
''But what made those terrible soresP''
''Tho same thing that made me a lieu
tenant, - said the hero. "a big chunk of
hot ham in each saddlebag. But, for the
love of the saints, don't tell the general Or
the boys. youths Companion