The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1908-06-25
A CASE OF RAPID
PROMOTION.

[Original.]
When Alexis Niederhof was drafted
into the Russian army there was great
weeping and wailing on the part of
two families, his own and that OF his
betrothed, Olga Sanin. This was dur
ing the reign of Peter the Great, who
was at the time going to war, and the
young conscript was not likely to re-
turn.
WELL" said Alexis as he babe them
goodby, anyway, l will make SOL
der of myself If 1 am told to march
up to certain death l will go. IT the
officers tell me to do things, no matter
how absurd I will do them. I have no
desire to live now that am separated
from home and Olga, and | care not
how soon I am killed"
Alexis went off to 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 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 OF wheel or double
quick as if 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
the palace with beat past a door
which he was told to guard.
''In there" said his captain, lis his
majesty the emperor. Do not permit
any one to enter"
Not any one?"
THAT is the order. See that it is
obeyed."
The officer had scarcely left when
Prince Menschikoff, the cars favorite
minister, came up and made straight
for the door Of the cars apartment.
You can't go in therev' shouted
Alexis, placing himself in the minis
ter's way.
you fool! l am allowed free access
to his majesty at all times"
"That makes no difference to me
since l have been instructed to let no
| one pass
You impudent, hound"' exclaimed
Menschikoff. 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, 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
"What's this:" asked the car.
This fellow denies me- admittance
to your majestys presence" said Men
| Schikoff.
The car looked at the soldier who
did not open his mouth. still standing
with his musket at present.
We'll, come in said the car Men
schikoff 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 car permission
to inf1ict upon him some terrible pun
lshment. Indeed, he expected to be
reprimanded. then taken out and shot.
1T doesn't matter" he said ''They
have insisted on making a soldier of
me against my will. and l am SOL
der. What is a soldier for but to dep
When he reached the palace he was
taken into large room. at one end of
which he saw Menschikof and the
ear 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"
Menschlkof was astonished. "Does
your majesty mean that? Surely yo,
don't intend that a private solaiershall
strike your minister:'
mat would not be right. I admit,
! salu refer Il therefore make i,inr.ir
captain
but am an officer in your mafex-
Tvs household"
make him colonel of NV life
guards and an officer Of my household
but am general
And so is he. I appoint him to that
rank. You,see I WIN not permit van