Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1907-05-29
HIS FIANCEE'S
. RELATIVE.
(Original.1

Hey, cabman! Hold On.'
''I've got fare, sir" pulling up.
"What Is it," asked gentleman
from inside the cab.
The rain is spelling my uniform
said the man who had called the cab
from the curb Of a street in Berlin. Il
can't hire conveyance for love OF
money"
Where do you go?" asked the gen.
tleman.
"Anywhere till you alight."
Every we'll; 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 We're 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 rosy hue to his
cheeks and stimulated his tongue.
well, we'll, my venerable FRIEND"
he said gayly, I'm in luck. and you
are very good to let me in your cab
l have an engagement to meet young
lady. l don't mind telling you-you
who have been 50 good to me-that she
is my fancee How would look go
ing into her presence all bedraggled?
men in the empire"
Whom would you call one of the
first men in the empire?' asked the
old gentleman.
THAT would be telling stranger
the name of the lady to whom l am
engaged. However you may guess"
"A member of the reichstag?" was
the first guess.
~ bigger man than that"
"A colonel in the army"
"A great deal bigger man than
colonel, but I will admit he is a SOL
der
The gentleman guessed 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 III chief"
Il thought you said he was one OF
the first men in the empire
II should call Field Marshal Won
Moltke pretty big man. He is great
man, one of the greatest who have
ever lived"
Yes, very great man in the esti
nation of the people. But if he should
lose battle those who hurrah for him
loudest would decry him loudest. It's
hero Worship"
My friend, if the law Of leze majes
ty were applicable to him l would re-
port you. l 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?''
II have guesseI to whom your far
Gee is related. Suppose you guess who
lam"
"A merchants"
mo"
"A lawyer?"
mo"
Better than those?"
Il suppose So"
'You have position in the govern
ment?"
"Yes."
I'm what Department.
The army"
This sobered the lieutenant, but not
enough to prevent his guessing fur
Their.
"A retired cOlonel"'
Higher rank than that"
"A general of brigade?"
Higher"
The lieutenant guessed successfully
all ranks except general in chief, then
said:
you're foOling me-"
mo. 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 be-
draggled appearance before his iancee.
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