The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-01-26

It sacrifice that he WAS able to pGr
.base his soa's commission and make
lin the allowance necessary for him
o maintain his position, for the sals-
les Of officers in the German army, as
n other countries in Europe, are wholly
They do not begin tc meet
he necessary expenses
Lieutenant Amberg was an admira-
bic soldier and popular in his regiment.
lie is mau Of fne and delicate feel
ing. He believed in the dignity Of his
position. lie felt that he should be
worthy Of il and OF his family, who
had STATED themselves that he might
have his place in the army.
One night last spring Lieutenant
Amberg was on duty in the palace.
The Emperor was giving a semipFi-
vate banquet to his immediate friends
aud military staff. Late in the evening
a messenger came 10 Lieutenant AM
berg, saying that the Emperor demand
ed his presence IN the bauquetiug hall.
The young officers face flushed. He
had heard stories Of strange and un-
digniied commands put upon soldiers
on these occasions. He hurried to his
monarch with a sinking heart.
Lieutenant Amberg could hardly
compose himself As he saluted and
stood at attention. The Emperor re-
oarda6 him col3fv
"You are on duty in the palace to-
night?"
"Yes, your Majesty"
''You will mount your horse and ride
him into this ROOM"
"Ride my horse here - intO-this
room, Your Majesty?'i stammered the
officer.
"Yes," was the reply. "You heard
my command. You may go.'
Lieutenant Amberg made his way
from the room with his thoughts in
whirl. He had never dreamed Of being
ordered to do so extraordinary a thing.
The idea Of disobeying did not suggest
itself to him. He mounted his horse
aud forced the frightened animal to
climb the stairs He made his way
through the corridors and into the ban
quoting room, ths horses hoofs sound
ing on the fi)or like the roll OF thunder.
He drew rein and aluted. The brill
liant lights, the unusual surroundings
and the experience on the stairs filed
the spirited animal with fear. He
moved about restlessly, tossed his head
and snorted with apprehension. And
his master had little more confidence.
''You will ride about the room, that
we may see how well you sit your
horse" commanded the Emperor
There were about seventy guests in
the room, and they watched the officer
on horseback with interest and amuse-
ment The polished floor was as slip
perry as ice, and the iron shoes were
ike skates.
The animal moved about cautiously,
gingerly, every muscle strained to leap
from possible danger. The lieuten-
ant guided him with his face on fire.
"At trot ~ commanded the Em-
peror.
Lieutenant Amberg urged his horse
to faster pace. In turning about the
animal slipped to his launches. There
was very little space in which to man
oeuvre. II WAS with difficulty that the
officer could keep his seat. The bang
ing Of the hoofs and the efforts made
by the horse to keep from falling made
frightful racket.
"At gaIlop'
The command Of the Emperor was
sharpan quick. Lieutenant Amberg's
face had become white, bet he could
not retire. He gave his horse the spur.
The animal sprang forward and went
slipping, serambling along the floor,
finally falling. The rider had to leap
from the saddle 20 save his legs.
Again he mounted, while the guests
roared with laughter over the awkward
plight of officer and horse. The charger
was shivering with fear. He refused
to go forward because Of the danger Of
falling on the smooth surface.
"At gallop"
The Emperor repeated the command,
and his voice was colder, more mena-
cling than before.
s.YOu acquit yourself badIv.U
Nothing more was needed to COM
plete the officers confusion and feeling
of disgrace. In desperation he plunged
his spurs deep into the horses sides,
and again went plunging, seraping and
sliding along. Lieutenant Amberg
could hear the roars Of laughter, and
he could see the cold. immoyable face
Of his monarch, who was sacrificing
him to whim He hoped that the
lloor might open and he might fall.
He wished for serious accident, for
death, anything to escape the torment
and misery.
But he was not yet to escape. The
Emperor had more difficult aud un-
generous command to put upon him.
lie directed that the tables and chairs
be piled into hurdle in the middle OF
the room. The servants speedily fulfil
led the order. The guests drew to one
side, that they might see and yet escape
injury.
"You will jump your horse over tie
table"
There was a menace in the Emper
or's tones, and Lieutenant AmbeIg
knew there was no hope for him. He
had no choice. He grasped the dan
ger. He knew that it was almost i'm
possible to compel a frightened horse
that had learned that his footing was
most insecure to make the jump. Some
of the chairs had been placed legs up
ward.
Lieutenant Amberg's face was whitel
than the table linen. Still, he must e
through with it. Time and again ht
tried TO make his horse jump over th'
obstruction. Each time the animal re
fused and went sliding along on hi
haunches, striking the table. The ride
could hear the seof1ing Of the guests
He could hear the Emperor expressing
his disapprcyal At last he drove tn.