The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-08-15

Taded uniform as well as he could, ana
concealed the absence of his watch by
fixing the chain in Its usual place and
keeping it there by attaching to one
end of it the memorable ''flattened bull
let of Torgau, which he had preserved
as souvenir ever since. Then, tax
ing his stick in his hand. he set out for
Potsdam.
He had to do the whole nine miles on
foot, the hire Of horse being far be-
yond his means, poor fellow, and when
he reached the palace he was heated
and covered with dust and altogether
a very strange figure to appear at a
kings levee, as the scornful 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 Frederick's old Off
GERS, always did his best to keep them
away from the royal presence. 1t hap
pened 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 courtier's quick eye detected at
glance that the chain had bullet in
stead of watch attached to it, 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 it, really seemed, as If 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 it was anywhere
near my hour for receiving visitors.
Wakenitz, what says your watch?"
Most unfortunately, your majesty,
mine has just stopped" answered the
chamberlain. But l 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-
ick's inQuiring glance by holding up
the useless watch chain and the fat
tened musket ball which hung to it so
that every. one could see them.
AT the sight of the fattened 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 moment, and
one glance at the brave old mans
threadbare dress and at the malicious
grin upon the face of the chamberlain
sufficed to tell him the whole story.
Here is watch for you, my/old
comrade, which will tell you theTight
time" said Frederick, taking off his
own watch and handing it to the ma
1or, "and that you may have chance
of using it in my service l give you
place in my household from this day
forth, and as for you, you rascal" he
added, casting a 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 out of my sight, and
never show your face here againg'-
From the German.