Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-06-10
THE YOUNG COLONEL.
az EvoN DoLssAR.
1903. by American Press Asuo-
ciation.l


had Just come in from a gallop on
horseback over bitches and hedges
and was despatched with mud. Her
cheeks we're flushed with exercise; a
thick coil Of hair had come unlooseneS
and was resting on her shoulder.
81 have been notified. my dear, that
must be enrolled in the miIitary
service and go out to fight the kings
battles. | am too old to do such duty.
and we are too poor to provide a sub
sfitute. About all we have left Is orr
title OF nobility. and as you are all
girls even that win pass from as at
my death.
"Don't worry. father. dear: wen find
some way out of the trouble"
few days later youth. evidently
about eighteen. sailed forth from the
baron's estate. walked briskIy to the
town and presented himself at a re-
crultlng station. He gave his name
as Caspar. son Of Baron Ballenstein
Of Ballenstein castle. The recruiting
officer rose respectfully at the an.
nouncement-
81 did not know the baron had
son." he said.
81 have been long away" replied the
youth.
Caspar Ballenstein was enrolled in
the cavalry and sent to a barracks for
instruction and drill. A son of the
house Of Ballenstein could not be per.
mitted to remain in the ranks, and
young Caspar was soon promoted to
be a subaltern officer. He was rapidly
advanced. and in the first fight that
occurred In which he took part most
Of the field officers were killed. and he
was made major. This gave him the
command Of his regiment while stiII
mere boy.
Naturally one so young in so high a
position excited much attention in the
army. 1t was especially remarked that
the officer. though brave and dashing.
was one of those men who from some
cOngenital cause are effeminate. His
glrllsh expressions often excited mer-
nment Instead OF saying to a brother
officer. You're a chumpv" he would
say. you are very disagreeableH In
stead of swearing at any bit of i'll luck
be would exclaim. How provokingr
And Notwithstanding his leadership In
battle. In camp he was considered a
lax disciplinarian. His men came to
consider almost any tale of woe to the
major quite enough to excuse any neg
iect or infraction of duty. Another
trait gave dissatisfaction. He invarf-
ably preferred and made companions
of men who had certain swagger
about them, a fine presence and hand
some figures and faces.
Nevertheless the little major or colo
nel-for be finally gained that rank
vas adored by his men. who would
follow him right into the Jaws Of
ieath. True. he was not an adept at
actics nor did he have much head for
naneuvering. but these he did not
heed.
General Sweetzer commanded the
rigade of which Ballenstein's regi-
nent formed a part. Sweetzer was
'ne moment disguised with the colonel
the Tenth hussars and at another
elghted with him The time came
men ne began to give orders to his
aoaltern gently. He excused those
nings in which the colonel was def
elent And at last it came to be mo-
lced that instead of sending the Tenth
90 necessary sacrificial work he was
zone to choose some other corps Bal
snstein noticed this and pronounced
real mean." of course dra wing forth
burst Of laughter that brought a tear
y the boy coloners eye.
Inc truth is the colonel suspected
aat Caspar Ballenstein, was a woman.
PC mad no doubt that his suspicion
Aas correct. but he could neither prove
to himself nor any one else without
nat might outrage n woman's most
-ered feelings, He thought of prf- |
a.ey asking the question of Ballen- |
.ein' but In case the answer were in |
~ negative the act would be an In |
aN that could only be wiped out by |
uhaAlg ueIeTMlOeu JnaC ne /
u'u only discover If the young ofi-
were a woman by placing him In |
pOsition where he would act accord. |
to sexual instinct.
Ooe DAY General Sweetzer invited his |
slulehtal commanders to dine with |
N His headquarters were at the
- 10 house, and. of course. the
ooef was set In the dining room. All
courses had been served. and cof-
1ou cigars were being brought on.
~ the door was opened to admit
serVaut with the coffee the gen.
striker let in a tiny animal and
diately closed the door.
= mouse! A mouseT' cried the gen.
= rising None Of the other officers
sa except Ballenstein. who jump
upon bis chair and from there on
ae table. Then the general or
tne mouse driven out. and Colo
sanenstein descended from his
lining was said In the command
- the incident. General Sweetzer
- ordered the secret kept. but the
= mornihE 1t was announced that
eolonei Of the Tap,h hrsv,rs