The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-09-07
A CASE OF RAPID PROMOTION

| Nhch hitAiS INleueTHOH was uIalJ-
ed into the Russian army there was
great weeping and wailing on the
part of two familes-his own and
that of his betrothed, Olga sanin.
| We'll" said Alexis as he bade
them goodby, anyway, will make
a soldier of myself. IT I am told to
march up to certain death, | will go.
II the officers tell me to do things,
no matter how absurd, / will do
them. / have no desire to live now
that I 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
military machine Of himself only
grew stronger with his absence from
home.
One day Alexis was stationed in
side the palace with beat past a
door which he was told to guard
IN there" said his captain, 'is his
majesty, the emperor. DO not per-
NIT anyone to enter"
Not anyone?"
"That is the order See that It is
obcyed"
The officer had scarcely left when
Prince Menschlkoff, the cars favor
ite minister, came up and made
straight for the door of the cars
apartment.
you cant go in there!" shouted
Alexis, placing himself in the minis
ters way.
you fool, | am allowed free ac-
cess to his majesty at all times"
"That makes no difference TO me.
since have been instructed to let no
one pass"
you impudent hound!" exclaimed
Menschikoff "Ill teach you respect
for your betters." And, raising his
cane, he brought 1t down on the
soldiers shoulders.
Thwackl Thwack! Thwack!
Suddenly the door opened and
there stood the czar. His minister
was belaboring his guard, who re-
ceived the blows bolt upright with
his musket at present"
whats this?" asked the czar
This fell denies me admittance to
your majestys presence said Men
schlkoff.
The czar looked at the soldier who
did not open his mouth. still stand
ing with his musket at present"
We'll, come in," Geid the czar. Men
schikoff entered and the two were
engaged for an hour upon business OF
state. When the minister made his
exit Alexis had been relieved and
another man put in his place.
That evening, shortly before tho
lights were put out at the barracks
Alexis received a summons to the
palace. He felt sure that the minis.
ter had received from the czar per-
mission to infict upon him some
terrible punishment. Indeed, he ex-
pected to be reprimanded, then taken
ont and shot.
."It doesn't matter" he said They
have insisted on making soldier oi
me against my will, and am sold.
ier. What is a soldier for but to die?'
When he reached the palace he was
taken into a large room, at one enc
of which he saw Menschikoff and the
czar talking together. Peter held in
his hand cane, which he gave tC
Alexis when he came up and, point
ing to the minister. said:
This man struck you this morn
ing return the blow with my stick.
Menschikoff was astonished. docs
your majesty mean that? Surely yor
don't intend that a private soldier
shall strike your minister"
"That would not be right, | admit,
said Peter. 81 therefore make hin
a captain"
"But | am an officer in your ma,
iestys household.
81 make him a colonel OF my life
guards and an officer of my house
hold"
But | am a general"
"And so is he. appoint him tC
that rank. You see. | will not per
nit you to be struck by one of in
ferior rank"
That ended Menschikoffs protests
for there was nothing more TO say
The czar mOtioned Alexis TO begin
and the newly made general laid OF
the stick till the czar, who was great
ly amused signaled him to desist
. Then Alexis was dismissed and the
officer who had brought him was in
structed to see that he was LODGED
for the night at the palace in man
ner becoming his station.
The next day Alexis was officially
notified of his appointment to thu
various Offices named by the czar III,
, was most anxious to go home anC
acquaint Olga with the good news
so he applied for a leave, 1t was a
once granted, and as soon as hc
could get fitted with a generals uni
form he started for home. When Olgi
} saw him coming all bespangled will
gold lace she thought that he haC