New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-09-13
Napoleon and the woodlnan.

AS Napoleon was riding ont, attended BIZ several
officers, was one OF the part rode past Forest
ing one Of them singing, the Emperor with SMILE
turned round to us and said !: 435
Observe that man, Who though tniling hard for X
his daily bread, seems to be quite happy e
The woodnan, observing 50 many persons Iooling
at him, made respectful bow and preached TO
inquire if We had lost our way. Z a. {
g No. said the Emperor, g but tell me- my honest
man, what makes You 50 cheerful? What may you
earn day s4s' 5& #7F3%5 sTE
"Three francs, your honor.n 5s g
Three francs!'i said the Emperor ]; g does that
support you and your hmily2 Tell me, how do you
manage to do SO pm sy
with pleasure, your honor. if you will step q
little this way With three francs | not only keep
my wife and family, but also put money out at in
terest, and pay off my old debts
Explain yourself ~ s Ss ssSyssgg
"WillingIy your honor. l keep my wife and chill
dren-I place money out at interest educating the
latter at school, and pay off my old debts By main
tanning my aged father and mother. So you see your
honor, may well be happy 5}s \. =
Excellent man. said Napoleon, shere is 9 Napo-
leon for you" tossing him the money. e Keep what x
you have now told me secret. am your Emperor,
and on pain Of my speasure enjofn You to tell no
one till you have seen my face at least hundred
times.n
"sr, it shall beso.s' # g. as
Napoleon turned his horses head and rejoined MS
"The same evening, as he appeared thoughtful, ~
General Rasp asked him If anything unpleasant had
occurred that day.
"No,n said the Emperor. but I met d l1an tthia
morning, who with three francs per day told
kept his family, placed money out at interest," and
Emperor, g you will please me mueh if any of you
can tell me the meaning Of what he said. 2 y
All of us were very anxious 70 please our monarch.
and knowing thathe had spoken to woodnan in
the forenoon, we rode off on the following morning
and having found the woodman, asked him if he
| knew to whom he had spoken on the previous day
| The man said, yes, had the honor Of taIking
with the Emperor"
| =" What did you say to him?" T.
!" Excuse me, gentlemen, that must not tel yon.1
One of the party said, " Twill give you fifty Napo-
| Icons to tell me- s5s.= ys55
The man said, " No, l dare not.n
"Yon shall have one hundred if You Will obige us,'
| rejoned our companion.
The woodman, after pausng minute or two, said:
"Place the money in my hand, and wilt tell you.aa
We placed it in his hand-and, after he had care
fully examined every piece, he told us all that had
| transpired. 4SI i
We rode off, and on arrival at the place. asked
to be admitted to the Emperor; when we eSpeanded
| his riddel. -
| Napoleon, pale with anger, said
| Bring the woodman before me- dead or alive u
| He was soon found, and ushered into the presence
| of his angry monarch. ts &
"Srrah, how have you dared to break your prorl-
| Use with me 2s ~
"Sre," said the woodman, with great eomposure,
al have not disobeyed your Commands
Chow, slave" said Napoleon, s dare you tell me
a le."
Sire" said the woodman, q you told me should
tell no one until had seen your face one hundred
tmesn Then, putting his hands deliberately into his
pockets, he laid the pieces Of BY one, be-
fore the Emperor, with the heads upwards 6 There,
siren continued he, have not seen your face one
hundred times 2''ss
Napoleon burst into "a loud fit offlaughter, gave
him slap in the face, called him clever fellow, and
made him captain the artillery, where he proved
himself deserving of his good fortune.
I El