An incident In the Life of Frederick the Great. BOTH KEPT THEIR SECRET.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 222, 1 October 1887, Page 2

An incident In the Life of Frederick the Great.

BOTH KEPT THEIR SECRET.

The days of the historical " long bridge " leading from Berlin to Potsdam aro numbered— a bridge which played an important part in the career of Frederick the Great. In tho days of that king all travellers between tho two cities weie.compelled to pass over the bridge, and few escaped the monarch's notice while sitting in the study of his neighbouring palace. But he, of course, did not wish to be observed, so lie placed a mirror in tho room, which accurately reflected what occurred upon the bridge. One day, in the evening of which a masquerade was to take place in Berlin, he sat as usual at his desk, when, glancing in the mirror, he saw a cavalry captain in the net of crossing He concluded at once that the object of his lido was the masked ball, which his Majesty al^o intended to visit, but had forbidden his officers. A few hours later the King started for Berlin, and appeared in the opeia house at tho proper time. IJis sharp eye soon recognised the sinner in tho mask of a noble Venetian, and he followed him, step by stop, until ho I was thoroughly cominccd that ho had made no mistake. Stepping in front of the culprit, and gazing at him with a transfixing glance, ho thundered, ''Mask, I know you." The oflicer, who immediately recognised tho tones of his king, was frghtened for ii moment. He knew tliab a heavy punishment, probably dismissal, would bo meted out to him. But he collected himself and replied : " Mm-k, 1 do not know you. 1 ' "Mask, you are Cavalry Captain !' ! With a resolution of despair the officer answered : " Yes ; but I am here without a leave of absence. Ho is a scoundrel who betrays me." The king bit his lips. Tho answer was unexpectedly collected and impudent. But pic&ently lie said : " Upon my word it remains our seeiet." The oflicer left the masquerade, 1 urricd to hi« hotel, sprang upon hi^ hoise, and galloped back to Potsdam. On the following morning, at 8 o'clock, he appeared punctually for duty in the Lustgarten, whither his regiment had been commanded. The king soon began the ro\ iew, stating strongly afc the captain as he pas-ed down the file. Suddenly ho halted at the centie. " Cavalry Captain !" resounded his stentoiian tone. The officer , now err tain of hi 1 ? dismissal, rode forward in the strictest military fashion, saluting the King, as he thought for the last time. " Nearer," commanded his majesty, as the captain stopped at the customaiy distance. He obeyed. " Mask, your are a major, but he is a scoundrel who betrays it." " Upon my word, your majesty, it leniains our i-eciet," answered the oflicer, relieved now of hi& heavy heart. " ''" A >e.ir went by, and the promotion remained an r.m excelled <-eciet, the captain doing his duty as hitherto. On the anni\ersaiy of the e\nt, when again presenting his regiment to the King in the Lustgarten, the following piiolo outers Mere lead: "Cavalry Captain i^ promoted to the lank of major, his patent dating from a year ago to- Jay, and has four weeks' leave of absence for tho carnhal in Berlin."