The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-08
IA CASE OF RAPID
PROMOTION.

Toriginail
When Alexis Niedcrhoff was drafted
into the Russian army there was great
weeping and wailing on the part of
two families, bis own and that Of bis
betrothed olga sanIn. This was dur
ing the reign Of Peter tho Great, who
was ait the time going to var, and the
young conscript was not likely to re-
turn.
"Well," said Alexis as he bade them
goodby, anyway, ! Will make a SOL
dier Of myself. II / am told to march
up to certain death win 90. II the
officers tell me TO do things, no matter
how absurd, viii 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 barracks to be-
turned Into a soldier. Ills command
ing officer had no need to lecture him
as to the Importance Of obedience, for
Alexis determination to make a mill
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 as IL worked BY springs instead
Of being sent TO the front to be shot no
was sent with his regiment to do guard
duty at the czar's palace
One day Alexis was stationed inside
the palace with a beat past door
which he was told to guard.
"In there said his captain, IFS his
majesty the emperor. DO not permit
any one to enter"
aNot any one?"
'.That il the order. See that II Is
obeyed."
The officer had scarcely left when
Prince Menschikoff, the czar's fayorite
minister, came UP and made straight
for the door Of the czar's apartment.
"you can't 30 In theregs shouted
Alexis. placing himself In the minis
ter's way.
"You fool am allowed free access
to his majesty at oil times"
"That makes no difference to me
since I have been instructed TO let no
one pass"
eYou impudent houndr exclaimed
Menschixoff I'll teach you respect
for your betters." And, raising his
cane, he brought It down on the sol
dier's shoulders.
Thwack. thwack thwack, thwackl
Suddenly the door opened. and there
stood the czar. His minister was be-
iaboring bis guard. who received the
blows bolt upright with his musket
at present"
Whats thls7v asked the car.
"This fellow denies me admittance
to your maJesty's presence said Men
sehikoff.
The car looked ait the soldier, who
did not open bis mouth. still standing
with bits musket at present
ssWeIl, come Ill, 7 said the car. Men
schikof entered. and the two we're en-
gagged for al hour upon business Of
state. When the minister made his
exit Alexis had been relieved and an
other man put III his place.
That evening shortly before the
lights were put out at the barracks
Alexis received i summons to the
palace. He felt sure that the minister
had received from the car permission
to intiiet upon him some terrible pun
ishmenf. Indeed, lie expected to be-
reprimanded. then taken out and shot,
s'It doesn't natter be said. "They
have insisted Oh making soldier of
me against MY VIII. and / am d soI-
dier. What Il 4 soldier for but to dIe9a
when be reached the palace lie was
taken into large room, AZ one end of
which lie saw afensehikoiT and the
car talking together Peter held ID
his hand cane which he gave To
Alexis wiz he came up and. pointing
ID the minister said:
tsThis man struck sou this morning.
return the blow With my stick
Mensohikon was nstonished Does
your majesty mean that2 Surely You
don't intend thnt d private soldier shall
strike your ninistersa
AThat would not be right. admit,
said Peter. n therefore make him
captain"
"Isut am an officer In your males
TVS household
til make him u colonel Of my life
guards and an officer Of my household"
but am general
and 80 Is lie. appoint him to that
rank Won see ] will not permit Won
to he struck by one Of inferior rank"
That ended afenschikoff's protests, for
there was nothing more to say. The
car motloned Alexis to begin, and the
newly made general laid ON the stick
TIL the ear. 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 PAL
ace In manner becoming his station,
The next day Alexis was officially
notified Of his appointment to the va
rious offices named By the car. He
was most anxious to so home and ac-
quaint Olga with The good news, so he
applied for d leave. II was at once /
granted, and as soon as he could get !
fitted with 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 /
swoened. When she came to her lover
was bending over her. looking into her
blue eyes with bis own Of the same /
heavenly hue.