The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-23

''In these war times anecdotes of great
soldiers are being reviewed, and many of
these soldiers. throw a sidelight on tie
private lives of men famous in the worlds
history" remarked Rudolph Meyer, Ger
man-American citizen of st. Louis, who
was once a sergeant in the German army,
says the St. Louis Globe Democrat
"Old Uncle Butcher, or Butcher, as the
Germans called him, who saved the day
at Waterloo and brought about the de-
feat of the great Napoleon, was char
acter,' and he was an inveterate gambler,
according to the stories handed down in
the German army" said Mr. Meyer. Blu
cher was a curious old fellow, according
10 the army tradition. Did you ever hear
the story of what he said about the officer
accused of drinking? Well, one fine day
the colonel of the regiment went to Blu
cher to complain about another colonel,
who,he said,was always drunk. The great
general opened drawer and produced
a note book, from which he read about
the gallant conduct of the accused in GER
tain desperate engagements. Closing the
book with a bang and throwing it on the
table, he looked the accuser steadily in
the face and said: I wish to God, sir,
you would get drunk, too
yes, 1 know a somewhat similar story
is told of President Lincoln in reference
TO Gen Grant" continued Mr.. Meyer, af-
ter being interrupted, but the German
books publish, more than a century ago,
tell that story about old man Butcher.
''But Gen. Blucher's own habits gave
his friends much concern. Butcher, like
many prominent men of his time, was a
reckless gambler. The King. who was
much attached 10 him, had paid his debts
over and over again, but it was no use.
The old marshal had gone through his
wife's property as well as his own, and
his pay was always spent in advance.
Once he was dead broke and had to go
to the King. If I get you out of this
scrape, will you promise me not to gamble
again. said the King. Butcher gave the
promise and added, as the King gave him
100000 thalers: I will go straight home
to my wife and settle half of this money
upon her so that l shall not be able to
touch it, and I will then pay up all my
debts and never touch a card any more
"Blucher went home, gave $4,000 to his
wife, and, after dinner sailed forth to
pay his debts. At midnight Butchers
wife was reused from her slumbers by
one of her husbands staff officers, who
had been sent for 5000 thalers Dear,
good man. said the lady. knew he
would want it before morning, so 1 have
put up just that sum in package for
him. Here it is, and tell him to be care
full about the cold air coming home, and
to muffle up WELL
1.-THE officer departed, only to return
after a few hours for the rest of the
money, with the same success. Butcher
went home to breakfast in the morning,
having lost every penny of the Kings gift
at play.
Again Butcher went to the King, told
him the whole story, and listened atten-
lively to all the reproaches until his maj
esty said: Uncle'-for he always called
Butcher 'uncle-T thought you gave me
your sacred word of honor that you would
not play cards for money again. No,
sir answered Butcher, I did not give
my sacred word of honor 'Will you give
1t to me now?' asked the King. 'Ach!
AIen Colt! That is hard thing to ask
from Blucher,' replied the hero of Water
loo. But after some grumbling the sacred
promise was given, and old 'VorWarts
stopped gambling"