Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1846-01-24

proposition is good one, and I accept it
But come, hope you are not joking. ant
that you Won't laugh at me after eating
half my potato. Beware Of that, fo
'Bres de fer is in earnest NO. no. re,
piled the Emperor. laughing, 4 pledge
you my word That's enough repliet
the grenadier. quite delighted. at the same
time giving him half bis potato, which he
fixed on the point Of his bsyonet. and
thus handed i. 10 the emperor, who look
i and eat il. saying It was very good.
We continued our march, and on the road
Napoleon asked us if we knew who thai
queer fellow was, or his name. None Of
US could give the desired information, 20
the matter dropped.
In the evening. just as we were sitting
down to the table, noise was heard i'll
the ante-chamber, and many voices speak
ing together in anger. The emperor, sur
prised al this, enquired what was the mat
ter, when a servant came in, saying there
was an insoIent soldier outside, all covered
with mud and dirt, who, having made his
way as far as the ante-chamber, was in>
curing if his majesty was 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 us, called US in
solent fellows, robbers, scamps, and per-
sisted in his determination of seeing your
majesty At this information we most of
US laughed, and reminded the emperor of
his mornings adventure. He Immediately
ordered him in. Our hero entered in full
marching costume, and presenting arms
marched straightto the emperor, who was
seated at the centre of the table, halted,
presented arms, like an orderly giving or
receiving report, and looking the empe.
ror full in the face, said boldly, .Sire. here
am, Bras de fer grenader of The twelfth
regiment of the line. l shared my break.
fast with you on condition that | should
dine with you. 1t was your own propo-
sal, and l accepted IT.; after a forced and
rapid march, here am, and as every hon
est man keeps his word, / suppose you
mean to- Certainly, my man, you are
right. Here, Constant, take this brave
fellow, and give him 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 his
valet, who was reckoning him TO follow,
and then looked around at US all.
lie stood as though he was rooted to
the spot. Come, grenadier,' cried the
emperor impatiently, be off-go and dine
with Constant; have told you he will
take care Of you.' General answered
he, firmly, Il wear uniform, and cannot
dine with vaIets.' must confess that
this noble answer gratifed me, but l be-
gan to fear SO bold reply might displease
Napoleon. In fact. he turned in anger
towards the grenadier, who returned his
glance without betraying either fear or
Napoleon, however, soon re-
covered himself, changed his tone and
said, You are right, my brave fellow, and
your opinion is correct; put down your
musket, take off your knapsack. and sit
down here by my side.' That's right.
replied the other; that's what call talk
ing like an emperor He then made a
half turn, grounded his musket like SEN
try on duty, and as the servants fastened
officiously TO assist him in disencumber-.
ing himself of his accoutrements, he said
10 them, loud enough to be heard by all,
Be off with you and let me alone! Hav-
ing Invested himself Of his arms, &c :. he
advanced TO the emperor, and raising his
hand TO his forehead, said, Your orders,
general y 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 time, knife and fork had
been laid by the emperor's side, who said,
Come and sit down. my comrade, with.
out any ceremony; you must be hungry
That's right, (his was his favorite ex-
pression) this Is well worth my potato =
The emperor, who like the rest of US was
much amused with the mans easy. frank,
and conical manners, helped him with
his own hands 10 every thing he wished
TO eat, and made him drink in proportion.
lie asked him many questions, which he
did not stop to answer, except by mono
syllables. At last, wearied with his ex.
erlions, having eaten enough for six ordin.
airy men, and drank proportionately, he
turned round 10 the emperor and said,
Now, sire, am able 10 answer any lues>
lions that You may please 10 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, &c.
He then arose, opened his knapsack. and
handed the emperor his papers and certi-
ficates, who, on dismissing him. said he