Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-03
N,,oI.o, and the Grenadier.


the capital of The Prussian dominons in triumph In
short time lie left Berlin with his staff to the
Russian army. which was advancing on us. Such de
tachments of the Ftnch were N full march, so that
the road from Berlin 10 Konigsourg crowded
with soldiers, wagons, artillery and the baggage
train. The Emperor was his custom, took The by
roads, and travelled fast that bat few could keep up
with HIM. The soldiers who him pass by, accom-
panied by only two or three officers gave him the
nj KIN ime Of the petit CORPORAL Beng pretty well
mounted generally managed 10 keep pace with him,
and thus bad an opportunity OF remarking that he
sometimes looked behind hn to know who was fol-
loving; and he could not help sml ling when he re-
marked how few there were in his ,rnin The heavy
rains however impeded our march, and il with
some difficulty that went forward. All at once
the Emperor reined up his horse TO look at grcna
der OF noble figure, with black mustaches and whis-
kers, sitting under tree, his muske knapsack, and
large cap, laying by his SIDE who was buslly employ
ed m roasting potaoe on some ashes which were
yet burning. He was so intent on his occupation
that he neither the Emperor or the troops march
ing by him. After watching him for some moments,
the Emperor said, 'Halloo grenadier, what are YOU
doing thereP That Is pretty question:, answered
the grenadler with broad Gascon ascent; "a man
must be blind not TO see that am roasting potato
on the point of my knife That's true, replied Ma
peleon, here, give it 10 me, am hungry. All! all
that good glye it 10 you. Not such fool as that
am roasting II FOR myself and not for others. am
hungry and h initiated the Emperor voice so well
that he could not help laughing Come here's a
gold piece give me half OF It. i don't want your
gold can eat il? will il satisfy my hungerP
Bonaparte was much astonished at this refusal, and
asked him unfortunately If he knew 10 whom he was
addressing himself He, still seated, and very busily
occupied in turning his potato, looking up at him.
piled, Humph do know to whom am speaking
To man, ho2c not 10 god or devil But,
inquire you know me! II you are aware TO whom
You are speakIngP who YOU are! yes! no doubt
know you well you our petit corporal and
good elbow bat you sham have my potato, for am
hungry So saying, he drew II deliberately from the
ashes, and added IN the same quiet and easy manner,
Efx,I Mill ha dnnaH n.ld
not help smiling. and said, mllder tone, Come,
my good fllow have proposition TO make 10 you;
If you will gise me half your potato you shall come
and dine with me this evening" What! are you in
earnest dine with you for half my potato! ha, Ina,
ll-agred The proposal j. good one; accept it.
Iu come, hope you are not joking and that you
wont laugh after having eat half Of my potato.
Beware of thar, for Bras-de fer IS IN earnest No,
no replied the Emperor, laughing, Il pledge you my
word That's enough replied the grenader, quite
delighted, al The same time giving HIM half hls poia-
10, which nc bad fixed on the point Of his bayonet,
and thus handed il 10 the Emperor, who took and
ent II, saying il was very good We continued our
march, and on tn road Napoleon asked US if we
knew who that queer fellow was or his name. None
ofus could give TIE desired Information, the matter
dropped In the evening just as we were sitting down
10 table great noise heard in the ante-c chamber
and many voices speaking together in anger The
Emperor, surprised At TINS, inquired what was the
matter, when n rvant came IN, saying there was an
nseent soldier outside, all covered with mud and
dirt who having made his way ms far as the ante
chamber, wac nquIing IL his majesty al home,
and that h. had come dine with him on your invl-
tauon and, added the servant when laughed at
this and told him he could not come IN, he abused us
called rs insolcnt fooinen, robbers, scamps and in
sisted IN his determination Of seeing his majesty. AT
this information, most of rs laughed and remind
cd the Emperor OF his mornings adventure. He inn
medatcy ordered him IN. Our hero entered IN full
marching costume, and presenting arms, marched
straight 10 the Emperor, who was seated nj the cen
tire OF the table, ha ted, presented arms like an order
oylu a "A Ia
peror full IN the face said boldly Sire here am,
Brasdefcr grenadicr in the twelfth regiment Of the
line. shared my breakfast with you on condition
that should dine with you. II was your own pro-
posal and accepted 1t; after forced and rapid
march, here am and as every honest man keeps
his word, / suppose you mean to-
tCertanly, my brave man. Won are right Here
Constant take care of this brave fellow and give
hpn a g9od dinner. Go, my friend and my valet will
take good care Of you" Bras-de fer knit his black
eye brows; he first looked at the emperor, and then
with n contemptuous sneer nj his valet, who was
reckoning him to follow and then leaked round atus
oil. He stood AS though he rooted o the spot
Come grenadler cried the emperor impatiently, be
of; 20 and dine with CONSTANT have told you he
woid take care of you General answered he
firmly, Il wear uniform, and cannot dine with va
let's must confess that this noble answer qratificd
me, but i feared 80 bold rspy might dsplease Ma
poeon In fact he turned IN anger toward the gre.
Nader, who returned the glance without betrayinq
either fear OF surprise. Napoleon, however soon re-
covered hineef changed his tone and said, you are
night my brave fellow and your opinion is correct
pat down your musket, take off your knapsack, and
sit down here by my side That's right replied the
other, that's what call talking like an EMPEROR
He then made half turn, grounded his m usket and
the servants wishing TO assist him IN disincurnber
ing himself of his accsutrements he said TO them.
loud enough TO be heard all be off with Won and
let me alone Having Invested himself of his arms,
&c. he advanced to the emperor, and raising his hand
TO his forehead, said your orders, general Tb;.
sally created loud laugh IN which the em,cror
joined and It had the effect of restoring him 10 ney
feet good humor. In the time, Knife and to,k
mad been laid by the eUperor's side, who SAID
Come and sit down, my comrade, without any CO
remony; you must be hungry That's right, lthis
was ms favorie exp-essen,) this is worth my pota.
ior Ihe emperor, who like the rest of MS, was much
amused WIN the mans easy, frank, and comical man.
ncrs, nelpeo hm with his own hands to every thing
ne wlsned % eat, and made him drink in proportion
ne asked many questions, which our grenadrer did
~. s'op ~ snswer except by moRosyllables At
last weaned with his exerions having on Ten eponoh
lot ~ oronsly men, and drank proportionately. he
.uInsu loona 20 me emperor, and said Now sire.
sm soie 10 answer any questions you NAV nIesee 20
po. 70 me. He then told us he was with Bonansr,e
u the Two last Italian campaigns, had been With him