Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-30
The Price Of two Potatoes in 1908.

The following anecdote of the frs
Napoleon-this necessity Of discrimi
mating between the two NapoIeons il
little nconvenient--is related 10 4
letter from 3 correspondent. who was
a considerable time in the French SER
vice. AMI who vouches for its sulhen
ticity. We might say Of it, "Se nos
9 zero ben frovato"
"The evening before the battle o
Tim. when Napoleon the First, ir
company with Marshal Berihier. wa.
walking incogito through the amp
and listening to the talk Of his
soldiers. he saw in group not far of
grenadier Of the Guard. who was
roasting some potatoes in the ashes
II should like roast potato above
all things" said the Emperor to the
Marshall; task the owner of them i
he will not sell one"
In obedience to the order. Berthier
advanced to the group and asked to
whom the potatoes belonged. A gre
nader stepped forward and said, "they
are mine"
"WiIl you sell one?"
'l have only five. and that's hardly
enough for my supper"
Il will give you two Napoleons for
one"
III don't want yorr gold: shall BE-
killed tomorrow. perhaps, and don't
want the enemy 10 find me with an
empty stomsch."
"Berthier reported the soldiers an
swer to the Emperor, whs vas stand
ing little in the background.
LEES see if | shall be any luckier
than YOU" said the latter, and going
up close to the grenadier. he asked
him il he would sell him one of his
potatoes.
mot by a long shot," said the
grenadier; II haven't enough for my
self"
"But you may set your own price.
Come--l am hungry, aud haven't ca
ten to-day"
Il tell you | havea't enough for
myself--besides all Thar. do you think
| don't know you. in spite of your
"Who am then"
"Bahl The little corporal, as they
call him: am Iright?"
"Well. since you know me. viii you
sell me potato?"
"No. but il you would have me
come and dine with you, when you
get back to Paris. you may sup with
"Done p said Napoleon, "On rns
word Of a little corporal, on the word
Of an Emperor.
"Well and good. Our potatoes
ought to be done by this time; there
are the two largest ones. the rest I'll
eat myself"
The Emperor sat down aud ate his
potatoes. and then returned with Ber-
thier to his tent, merely remarkIng,
''The rogue is good soldier. I'll wa
GER"
1.-TWO months sfterward Napoleon
the Great was in the midst of brill
liant court at the palace OF the Tuiler-
les. and was just sitting down to dine,
when word was brought him that a
grenadier was without, trying to force
the guard at The door. saying that he
had been invited by the Emperor -
LET him come H." said his Majesty.
The soldier entered. presented arms.
and said to the Emperor:
"Do you remember having once
supped with me Of my roasted pota-
toes?"
"Oh. is that you? Yes. yee. / re.
member" said the Emperor; "and so
you have come to dine with me. have
you? Ru..ian: lay another cover on
your table for this brave fellow"
Again the grenadier presented arms.
and said:
"a grenadier Of the Guards doesn'i
eat with lacksys. Your majesty told
me should dine with you--tha. was
the bargain. aud trusting to your word
have come thilher."
"True, true" said the Emperor.
clay cover here'ner me: LAY aside
-. ..xI A.. - 49,. q.