Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1889 — ONE ON THE GENERAL. [ARTICLE]

ONE ON THE GENERAL.

The Lieutenant Was a Little Too Clever for Him. A general, with plenty of time on his hands, one day stood at the win'dow to watch the people passing in the 'street. While thus engaged, he noticed one of his officers who was without a sword—a grave misdemeanor! “Fll make him smart for this!” the general exclaimed. “Ten minutes’ cross-examination and a month’s arrest.” The lieutenant meanwhile approached, all unconscious of the impending storm. When he was within earshot, the general called out: “Sir, come up here; I want to speak to you!” The officer looked up and perceived his superior; he remembered that he had left his sword at home, and knew what to expect. Unfortnately there was no means of escape, and he had to face the difficulty as best he might. The general’s face was beaming with delight. He had found an opportunity of enforcing the discipline while smoking his weed. The lieutenant stepped 'into the house, and, in passing through the ante-room, he espied the sword of an orderly hanging on the wall. “The very thing!” he exclaimed, and buckling on the sword, he assumed an air of innocence and opened the inner door, saying: “You have done me the honor to call me, general.” “Yes, I wanted to ask you— Bigrei Why, the fellow has a sword,” the general muttered to himself, as the smile faded from his countenance. “Whatever was it I was going to ask you—Ah! I remember now; about your family—your father, how is he ?” “If he could but know the interest you take in him he would feel highly flattered; unfortunately he died twenty years ago!” The general stared at his unwilling visitor in speechless amazement. “Then there is nothing else you have to say to me ?” “Ma foi, no!” the general answered. “Only never go out without your sword; I should have been compelled to place you under arrest if you had left it at home.” “Peste! 11l take good care I don’t. See here!” and the young man coolly ’displayed the arm which was dangling from his waist. “Yes, I see it’s all right, my friend: you may go.” The officer promptly availed himself of the permission. He saluted the general, and on his way through the ante-room hung the sword on its peg. ; He then left the house. The general had resinned his former post at the window. The next minute he called his wife. “I say, look at that young officer who is walking away from the house.” ■ “I see him distinctly.” “Is he wearing a sword?” “No!” “There you are mistaken. He looks as if he isn’t and has one all the time.” The wife made no remark. She is in the habit of taking her husband at his word. As for the officer he was never again seen in public without his saber.— Le Rappel.