Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-12-24

you our petit corporal, and good fellow; but
you shan't have my potato, for am hungry" So
saying he drew it deliberately from the ashes and adj
ded, in the quiet and easy manner, "Egad I think it
soon will be done p The Emperor could not help
smiling, and said in milder tone, s'Come, my good
fellow, have proposition to make to you; if you
will give me half of your potato, you shall come and
dine with me this evening"" "What are you in ear
nest dine with you for half my potato agreed
the proposal is good one, and / accept it. But
come, hope you not joking, and that you won't
laugh at after having eat half my potato. Beware
of that for .Bras de fer is in earnest" "No, no."
replied the emperor, laughing 81 pledge you my
word. "Thats enough" replied the grenadier, quite
delighted, at the time giving him half his pota-
to,which he fixed on the point of his bayonet and
thus handed it to the emperor, who took it and eat
it, saying it was very good. We continued our
march, and on the road Napoleon asked us five knew
who that queer fellow was, or his name. None of
us could give the desired information, the matter
dropped,
In the evening just as we were sitting down to the
table, noise was heard in the antechamber, and
many voices speaking together in anger. The empe-
ror surprised at this, enquired what was the NATTER
when servant came insaying there was an insolent
soldier outside, all covered with mud and dirt, who,
having made his way as far as the ante-chamberwas
inquirng if his majesty at home, and that he had
come to dine with him on his invitation and, added
the servant ~when we laughed at this, and told him
he could not come in, he abused U.S. called insolent
footmen robbers, scamps and persistedin his deter
mnation of seeing your majesty" At this inforna
ton we most of us laughed and reminded the en-
peror of his mornings adventure. He Immediately
ordered him in. Our hero entered in full marching
costume, and presenting arms marched straight to
the emperor, who seated in the centre of the ia
bic, halted, presented arms, like orderly given or
receiving report and looking the emperor full in
the face boldly, s'Sire, here am Bras de fer gren
adler in the twelfth regiment of the line. / shared
my breakfast with you condition that should dine
with you. 1t was your own proposal, and l accep-
ted it; after forced and rapid march, here am, and
and as every honest man keeps his word, l suppose
you mean to-" aCertanly, any man, you are right.
Here, Constant take this brave fellow and give him
a good dinner. Go, my friend, and my valet will
take good care of you "Bras de fer knit his black
eyebrows; he first looked at the emperor and then
with contemptuous sheer at the valetwho was bee
konng him to follow, and thed looked around at us
all. !
He stood as though he was rooted to the spot
Come grenadier," cried the emperor impatently, be
off-go and dine with Constant have told you that
he would take care of you." "General," answered
he, firmly, 81 wear uniform; and cannot dine with
valets." must confess that this noble answer graf
flied me, but, began to fear bold reply might
displease Napoleon. In fact he turned in anger to-
wards the grenadier, returned his glance without be-
traying either fear surprise. Napoleon, however,
soon recovered HIMSELF changed his tone, and said,
on are right, my brave fellow and your opinion is
correct; put down your musket take off your KNAPP
sack, and sit down here by my side" That's right
replied the other; "thats what call talking like an
He then made turn, grounded his musket
like sentry duty, and the servants FASTENED Of
6ciously to assist him in disencumberng himself of
his accoutrments, he said to them loud enough to be
heard by us ALL 'tBe off with you and let me aonep'
Having Invested himself of his arms &c, he advanced
to the emperor and raising his hand to his forehead
said, s'Your orders generalp' This sally created
loud laugh, in which the emperor joined and it had
the effect of restoring him to perfect good humor.
In the mean IlIne, kHllo anu IOIk udu UeeH ldlu
by the emperors side who said, 'come and sit down
my comrade, without any ceremony you must be hun
gry That's right this was his favorte expression;)
this is well worth my potator The emperor, who
like the rest of us was much amused with the mans
easy, frank, and comical manners, helped him with
his own hands to every thing he wished to eat, and
made drink proportion. He asked him many ques-
tons, which he did not stop to answer except by
monosylables. AT last wearied with his exertions
having eaten enough for six common men, and drank
he turned round the emperor,and
said, "Now, sire, am able to any questions
that you may please to put to me-" He then told us
he was with Bonaparte in the two last Italian
campaigns, had been with him to Egypt, was there
wounded and left for dead at Cairo sc. He then "a
rose opened his knapsack, and handed the emperor
his papers and certificates, who, on dismissing him
said he would have them examined, and he might ex-
pect shortly to hear from him.
Two days after he received the cross of the legion
of honor and captains commission. His name was
Charles Bidot. have not since heard of him, nor do
/ know what afterwards became of him.
INDEPENDENcE.-Ify you wish to be Independent, |
preserve your sef-respect let others think and
say what they please. fyou would breast the storms
and torrents of life, be independent in spite of the
taunts, the clamors, jeers Of the whole world