The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-06-06
A CASE OF RAPID
PROMOTION.


two families, his own and that of his
betrothed, Olga Sann. This was dur.
ing the reign of Peter the Great, who
was Mt the time going to war; and the
young conscript was not likely to re-
turn.
"well," said Alexis as he babe them
goodby, anyway, will make a SOL
dier of myself. If ! am told to march
up to certain death will go. If the
officers tell me to do things, no matter
how absurd, I will do them. have no
desire to live now that am separated
from home and Olga, and care not
how soon ! am killed"
Alexis went off to a barracks to be
turned into a soldier. His command
ing officer had no need to lecture him
as to the importance of obedience, for
Alexis determination TO make q mil
itary machine of himself only grew
stronger with his absence from home.
When he had been drilled till he could
march by the flank or wheel or double
quick MS II worked by springs, instead
of being sent TO the front TO be shot he
was sent with his regiment to do guard
duty at the cars palace.
One day Alexis was stationed inside
tho palace with beat past a door
which he was told TO guard.
"In there" said his captain, "ls his
majesty the emperor. Do not permit
any one to enter"
"Not any onei'
THAT is the order. See that 1t is
obeyed."
The officer had scarcely left when
Prince Menschikoff, the czar's favorite
minister, came up and made straight
for the door of the cars apartment.
"You can't go in therer shouted
Alexis. placing himself in the minis
ter's way
"You fool. am allowed free access
TO his majesty at all times"
"rhat makes no difference to me
since I have been instructed to let no
one pass"
"You mpudent houndy" exclaimed
Menschikoff I'll teach you respect
for your bettcrs" And, raising his
cane, be brought 1t down on tho sol.
dier's Shoulders.
Thwack thwack, thwack, thwack!
Suddenly the door opened. and there
stood the cZar. His minister was be-
laboring his guard who received the
blows bolt upright with his musket
at present"
whats this" asked the czar.
"This fellow denies me admittance
TO your majesty's presence" said Men
schlkoff.
The car looked at the soldier. who
did not open his mouth. still standing
with his musket at present"
well. come in" said the czar. Men.
schikof entered, and the two were en-
| gagged for an hour upon business Of
state. When the minister made his
exit Alexis had been relieved and an.
other man put in his place.
That evening shortly before the
lights were put out at the barracks
Alexis received summons TO the
palace. He felt sure that the minister
had received from the czar permission
ishment. Indeed, he expected to be
reprimanded, then taken out and shot
1T doesn't matter" he said "Thcy
have insisted ON making a soldier of
me against my will. and am sol
der. What is a soldier for but TO die"
When he reached the palace he was
taken into a large room, at one end OF
which he saw Menschikoff and the
czar talking together. Peter held in
his hand cane, which he gave to
Alexis when he came up and, pointing
to the minister, said:
This man struck you this morning;
return the blow with my stick"
nIenschikoff was astonished Does
your majesty mean that? Surely you
don't intend that private soldier shall
strike your minlster?"
"That would not be right, | admit"
said Peter. 81 therefore make him a
captain"
But am an officer in your majes.
tvs household"
~ make him colonel of my life
guards and an officer of my household"
But | am general
"And so is he. l appoint him to that
rank You see will not permit you
TO be struck by one of inferier rank"
That ended Menschikoff's protests, for
there was nothing more 10 say. The
czar motioned Alexis to begin and the
newly made general laid on the stick,
till the car who was greatly amused.
signaled him to desist Then Alexis
was dismissed, and the officer who had
brought him was instructed to see that
he was lodged for the night at the pail
ace In manner becoming his station,
The next day Alexis WAS officially
notified of his appointment to the va
rious offices named by the c2ar He
was most anxious TO go home and ac-
quaint Olga with the good news, so he
applied for leave. 1t was at onca
granted, and as soon MS he could get
fitted with a generals uniform he
started for home When Olga saw him
coming all bespangled with gold lace
she thought that he had been killed
in battle and this was his wrath com
Ing TO mock her, so she .straightway
swooned. When she came to her lover
was bending over her. looking into her
blue eyes with his own of the same
heavenly hue.