Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-09-09

| then remembered that il would have TO
pass through several hands before
reaching the king and might possibly
never reach him NJ all In any ease
he could not afford to wait long for an
answer. being almost down Ia his last
penny as il was. so he finally dctcrmin-
ed To present himself at the palace and
see what would become of il.
The very next morning. accordingly
the major smartened up his worn and
faded uniform as we'll as he could. and
concealed the absence of his watch by
fixing the chain in its usual place and
keeping il there by attaching To one
end of II the memorable "flattcncd bul-
let of Torgau. which he had preserved
as n souvenir ever since. Then. TAX
ing his stick in his hand. he set out for
| POiSdam.
He had to do the whole nine miles oil
| foot the hire of horse being far be-
yOnd his means. poor fellow. ana when
he reached the palace he was heated
and covered with dust and altogether
a very strange figure to appear at Il
kings levce. as the Sccrnful glances of
the smart officials plainly told him.
Among these there was one mean
and malicious fellow. Hugo Won Wake
nitz by name who held the post of
chamberlain of the palace. and. being
mortally jealous of every one whom
the king seemed inclined TO favor and
more especially of Fredcrick's old off
GERS always did his best To keep them
away from the royal presence 1t hap
| pcncd by i'll luck that just as Major
| Tafpermann opened his uniform To adj
| just his chain (which he had got out of
place in the course of this long march.
the chamberlain. looking down from
one of the windows. saw what he was
about
| The courticr's quick eye detected at
n glance that the chain had bullet in
stead of a watch attached TO il, and. far
| from plying the old warriors poverty
as any true man would have done. this
| spiteful rogue at once resolved To get
rid of him by putting him to open
shame before the whole assembled
company.
And IL really seemed as IL circum-
stances themselves had conspired to
aid his cruel project. for when the king
made his appearance his first remark
was:
My watch must surely be wrong. for
! had no idea that il was anywhere
near my hour for receiving visitors.
WakeniiZ. what says your watchf"
Most unfortunately. your majesty,
mine has just stopped" answered the
chamberlain. But | see this worthy
officer here (glancing at Major Tapfer-
mann, has brought his along with him.
and he will doubtless be able TO tell
| your majesty the true hour"
The spiteful tone and look of the
speaker did not escape the shrewd
king: but. before he could make any
comment. the stout old major. drawing
himself up proudly. answered Freder-
icks inquiring glance by holding up
! the useless watch chain and the fiat
tened musket ball which hung to it so
that every one could see them.
At the sight of the fiattened bullet
and the sound of the old warriors
voice the recollection of his rescuer on
the field of Torgau flashed back upon
the kings memory in a moment. and
one glance nj the brave old mans
thrcadbare dress and nj the malicious
| grin upon the face of the chamberlain
sutiiccd TO tell him the whole story.
Here is watch for you. my old
comradc. which will tell you the right
time" said Frederick. taking on his
own watch and handing il to the ma
jor land that you may have n chance
of using il in my service ! give you a
place in my household from this day
forth. and as for YOU. you rascal" he
added casting terrible look at the
discounted chamberlain. "since you
are mean enough To insult an old man
who has fought bravely for his king
and country. get ont of my sight, and
never show your face here again"'-
| From the German.