The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-05-30
HIS FIANCEE'S
RELATIVE.

from Ine cuTD OF Street III i,tIiih 1
can't hire a conveyance for love or
! money"
Where do you go:' asked the gem
tleman.
Anywhere till you alight-"
very well; step in
A young lieutenant of artillery got
into the cab and sat down beside the
gentleman. who was quite old and
whose civilians clothes and quiet de-
meanor were in marked contrast with
the lieutenant's Uniform and self con-
fident air. The latter had been lunch
ing with friends. and the wine he had
drunk had impaired a rosy hue to his
checks and stimulated his tongue.
'Well, well, my venerable friend"
he said gayly, I'm in luck and you
are very good to let me in your cab.
1 have an engagement to meet a young
lady I don't mind telling you-you
who have been so good to me-that she
is my fiancee How would | look go
ing into her presence all bedra ggled:
And she a relative of one of the first
men in the empire
NUM- "ouid yod Nti oiiS VI NhN
first men in the empire?' asked the
old gentleman
THAT would be telling a stranger
the name of the lady to whom l am
engaged. However, you may guess"
"A member of the reichstag" was
the first guess.
"A bigger man than that"
"A colonel in the army
"a great deal bigger man than a
colonel, but l will ADMIT he is sol
der
The gentleman guessed a number of
generals. going higher and higher with
each guess. Not having guessed Alright.
he gave it up.
But you have not guessed high
enough. There is one still higher than
all, the commander in chief
II thought YOU said he was one of
the first men in the empire
81 should call Field Marshal Won
Moltke a pretty big man. He is great
man. one of the greatest who have
ever lived"
Eyes, very great man in the esti
nation of the people. But if he should
lose battle those who hurr"h for him
loudest would decry him loudest. It's
hero Worship
'My friend. if the law of leze males
ty were applicable to him l would re-
port you. / have a good mind to do so
any way. Who are you to speak so dis
respectfully Of the man next In impor-
lance to the EMPEROR
81 have guessed to whom your fan
Gee is related. Suppose you guess who
am"
"A merchant
"No"
"a lawyerT
mo"
Better than those~
81 suppose So
"You have a position In the govern
ment?''
Yes
'In what Department.
1.-The army"
This sobered the lieutenant. but not
enough to prevent his guessing fur
ther
"A retired colonel:"
Higher rank than that"
"a general of brigade?"
Higher"
-
all ranks except general in chief. then
said:
You're foolinS me-"
NO You have not guessed high
enough"
Nonsense. There only remains Field
Marshal Won Moltke.'
At that moment the cab drew up at
a house, and the gentleman got out. ex-
pressing himself pleased at having saw
ed the young mans uniform and Il be-
draggled appearance before his fiancee.
Then the cab was driven on.
The lieutenant. who believed the man
had been chatting him. thought no more
about the matter and, having told the
cabman where to take him, took a nap.
Presently he was awakened by stop
ping before his fiancee's residence, got
out, paid the cabman and sent him
about other business. The next morn
ing the lieutenant. who was on leave
from his corps, stationed in the prov
inces, returned to his post.
When he again visited Berlin it was
to be married. The ceremony had been
performed. and the guests were seated
at the wedding breakfast when n small.
slight old man in uniform entered the
room. Every guest rose at once ex-
cept the groom His bride pulled at
his coat sleeve. He did not move. but
sat with his eyes starting from their
sockets and fixed on the approaching
officer
For heavens sake. Heinrich. what
is IT, exclaimed the frightened bride.
Get up. 1t is the field marshal, my
cousins uncle
Colt i'm himmei,'' Gasped the groom.
1T is the old man in the cab
The marshal advanced straight to the
bride. kissed her and offered his hand
to her husband who by this time was
standing straight as a raurod and look |
ing as If he expected to have his epaU |
lets torn of and himself confined in a
fortress for TIE rest of his natural life. |
But the old man pressed his hand, look
ing at him kindly. and said:
"Aeh. You are the gentleman who |
paid me such high compliments. / /
hope you will have as high an appre- /
ciatlon for your wife as you have fer /
the head OF the army
r "a mitchell.