Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-06-08
chain which had been a gift to him
from his wife not long before he

from his wife not long before he
death.
There was still, however, one hope
left for the poor Old man. kins -
erick was now back again in his palac
at Potsdam. near Berlin; and, having
by this time begun to get the affaire
OF his kingdom into some sort OF order
again, he was not so Overwhelmingly
busy as he had been before. Perhaps
some help might be got from him, and.
at all events. il was worth while TO try
Tapfermann's first idea was 10 draw
up memorial stating his case and
send il TO Frederick himself; but he
then remembered that it would have
TO pass through several hands befor,
reaching him at all. In any case h.
could not afford TO wait long for an
answer, being almost down TO his lass
penny as ii was. so he finally deter
mined to present himself at the palace
and see what would become of it.
The very next morning. accordingly
the major smartened up his worn and
faded uniform as we'll a. he could. and
concealed the absence Of his watch b.
fixing the chain in its usual place and
keeping il there by attaching TO one
end OF it the memorable "hattened bull
let of Torgau, which he had preserved
as a souvenir ever since. Then. TAX
ing his stick In his hand. he set out fol
Potsdam.
lie had to do the whole nine miles
on foot. the hire of horse being fas
beyond his means, poor fellow, and
when he reached the palace he was
.,fft an1 al
together a very strange figure to APP
pear at a kings levee, as the scorn-
full glancos of the smart officials plain
ly told him.
Among theee there was one mean
and malicious fellow, Hugo Won Wake
nitz by name. who held the post OF
chamberlain OF the palace, and. belGs
MORALLY jealous Of every one whom
the king seemed inclined to favor. and
more especially OF Fredcricks Old CtIi-
GERS. always did his best to keep them
away from the royal presence, 1t hap
pened by i'll luck that just as Major
TapfCrmann opened his uniform TO al
just HE chain (Which he had got out
Of place in the course OF this long
ma CHI, the chamberlain. looking down
from one of the windows, saw what he
was about.
The courtier's quick eye detected at
a glance that the chain had a bullet in
stead of a watch attached 10 It. and,
far from plying the old warrior pOv-
erty, as any true man would have done,
this spitcful rogue at once resolved TO
get rid Of him b. putting him to open
shame before the whole assembled
company
And it really seemed as If circum-
stances themselves had ccHspircd 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.
Wakenitz. what says your watch?"
Most unfortunately, your majesty,
mine has just stopped" answered the
chamberlain. But | see this worthy
officer here tglancing at Major Tapfer-
m ann has brought his along with
him, and he will doubtless be able TO
tell your majesty the true hour
The spitcful 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 mp proudly, answered Freder-
ick's inquhing glance by holding up
the useless watch chain and tire fat
tened mueket ball which hung TO il SO
that every one could see them.
At the sight Of the fattened bullet
and tie sound OF the old warriors
voice the recollection of his restucr on
the field Of Trogau flashed back upon
the king memory IN a moment, ana
one glance at the brave old mans
threadbale dress and at the malicious
grin upon the face OF the chamberlain
sufiiced 10 tell him the whole story.
Here Is watch for you. my Old
comrade. which will tell you the right
time" said Frederick, taking off his
own watch and handing ii to the ma
jor "and that you may have a chance
Of using il in my service | give you a
place in my household from this day
forth and "a for you. YOU rascal lie
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 again. -
From the German.