Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-10-16
! Private Herman MeiSner
[Original.l

oraped and the German army was
burrving to the frontier, One morning
hefore the days march began young
recruit was brought before the co,onei
Of the Eighty-seventh regiment Oh tne
line in arrest. :,
"This is Private Herman Meisner,
said his captain. Last night ne Vol,
unfairly relieved one of the guard anu
conniyed at the escape of prisoner
under charge of sleeping on post. lie
admits this, but says that the man he
released. Carl Meisner, Is his cousln'
If happened that the colonel was
kindly man, one who would naturahy
he touched by such friendly devotion'
The culprit was mere boy, with sax
on hair and blue eyes.
GLOW long have you been in the
ormy?" asked the commander.
1.-TWO weeks"
captain. this young fellow Is doubt
loss ignorant of the enormity OF dis
offense, and we need every man ~
his post of duty. You may release |
him. Has the escaped prisoner peeh I
reaTestedT
"He has, colonel"
The march was resumed. In the
evening MS the colonel was refreshing
himrelf with a smoke the captain re-
turned with Private Herman Meisner
again In arrest. -,
"Colonel." he said, "when the prison
ers were inspected after the days
march Private Carl Melsner was miss
inc and this man, Private Herman
Meisner, was in his place"
The colonel knit his brows.
"What did you do that for he ASKED
Of the boy. after my leniency 10 you
this morning.
They told me my cousin woulu IKE
" be shot for sleeping OH post
~That is his affair, not yours. DO
YOU want to get yourself shot In his
placer
81 would rather, colonel"
"Thats very, very ridic-very noble
Of YOU. but it's unjust to yourself. IL
seems to me, captain, that TINS Doy
has the true elements of soldier IN
him. but he needs instruction. you
may return him to duty. Has the real
prisoner been rearrestedT
"Yes, colonel"
The next morning Private Meisner
was again brought before the colonel
for having made a third attempt 10
free his cousin. This time he had tall-
ed TO even get the prisoner away from
tho guard. The colonel sent the In
corrigible Herman back to take his
Mace with the other prisoners, to stand
trial at the proper time for mutiny.
"You are a little fool" said the COM
monder "Your cousin will be shot for
sleeping on post, and you will be shot
for mutiny."
Herman smiled.
"Are you sure he's sane, captain r
asked the colonel.
Perfectly sane"
"Well, take him away"
The next day there was a roar OF
artillery at the front AS the colonel
was mounting his horse the captain
appeared and, saluting, said:
1.-THE prisoners desire permission &c
take their place in the ranks for the
| coming battle"
!, Grant it for any in whom you have
confidence | suppose those two cous
ms are among the applicants"
: carl Meisner has applied. His cous
l.
: not"
= "That's strange" said the colonel
and. putting spurs to his horse, III
. rode away.
a That day was fought the battle o
, Gravel0tte When it was over the cap
:. ! tain appe2rad before his colonel, thi
!. time with both the Meisner cousins.
- Colonel" he said Il have to repor
that decided to put all the prisoner
;, In the ranks for battle. Carl MeisneI
, who was in arrest for sleeping on posi-
G distinguished himself by conspicuou
h gallantry. His cousin Herman ra
; and hid himself behind log"
= The colonel looked at the prisoner l
:. perpleXity.
!. "And YOU" he said to Herman. "ar
q the man who wished to get yoursel
It shot to save your cousin!'
a. The colonel expected him to han
II his head in shame. He did no sue
n thing. He simply smiled, smiled wit
Il his beautiful blue eyes, his delicatei
% curved lips. every feature in his loyis
d face.
n 81 wish" said the colonel to the cal
m tain, "they would stop robbing IL
s cradle to procure material for II
II army" Then to Herman, How o.
le are you, boy?
10 Twenty"
The colonel sat thinking. Present
70 he said to the captain:
r. "See that the charges against Ca
70 Meisner are withdrawn and make hi
ht n corporal. As for this cOward-v'h
no the dickens he meant by trying to 6
Of himself shot in place Of his cousin
~ don't know, but VIC can't be incua
n. bered with him on a campaign-se
Of him back under charges Of both IN
III tiny and cowardice."
lis Private Herman began to cry.
he "What are you sniffiing forT' beg
In the colonel, when Carl Interrupted hi
ed Colonel, she is a woman-iny wi
ed We have two little children at hon
ne and she should be there to IA
he care of them. But she would not
~ me 90 to the war without coming W
in me, fearing 1 would get killed-just
be IL she could help that"
Ig- "Pheww exclaimed the colonel.
lar woman! That accounts for
ne strange behavior, ready to die IN PHI
III. Of the man she loved, but no stomf
rer for a fight. Well, captain, you IN
nm sand Private Herman MeiSner Dt