Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-11-21
Napoleon and the woodman.

AS napoleon was fiuing cut, atten-
ded by some oificers--I was of the
lparty--we rode by the place where
some woodmen were cutting timber,
and observing one Of them singing.
the Emperor turned round to us and
said:
"Observe that man. who. though
toiling hard for his daily bread, seems
to be Very happy"
The woodman, observing so many
looking at him. made respectful
bow. and approached us to ask II we
had lost our way.
mo" said the Emperor, "but tell
me, my honest man, what makes you
so cheerful? What may you earn q
day"
"Three francs, your honor"
"Three francsl'' exclaimed the En-
peror.
"Yes. SIR"
Docs that support you and your
family Tell me how you manage to
do so?"
"With pleasure. your honor, If you
viii step little this way. With three
francs a day not only keep my wife
and family. but I also put my money
out at interest, and pay oil my old
debts"
Explain yourself"
"Willingly, your honor. | keep
my wife and children-I place money
out al interest by educating the latter
at school. and pay of my old debts by
maintaining my aged father and moth
or. So you sec | ma% we'll be hap
py."
excellent man." said Napoleon,
there Ia Napoleon for you" tossing
him the money. "Keep what you have
told me secret. am your Emperor,
and on pain Of my displeasure, ! en-
join you to tell no one till you have
seen my face at least an hundred
times"
Sir II shall be So"
Napolen turned his horses head and
rejoined US.
The same evening, as he appeared
thougetful. General Rasp asked him
IL anything unpleasant had occurred
that day.
"No," said the Emperor. "but |
met man this morning. who. with
three francs per day, told me he kept
his family. placed money out at inter-
est. and paid off his old debts. GEN
tlemen, ,"he continued, addressing us,
"you Will please me much il any OF
you can tell me the meaning Of what
he said"
All Of us were very anxious to
please him. and knowing that he had
spoken to woodman in the forenoon,
we rode off on the following morning
--and having found the woodman, ask
ed him II he knew TO whom he had
spoken on the previous dav.
The man said--'fYes, had the
honor Of talking with the Emperor.
"What did you say to him?"
Excuse me, gentlemen, that |
must not tell you"
One of the parties said, 81 will
give you fifty Napoleons to tell me-"
The man said, "No, | dare not"
"You shall have one hundred you
will oblige u.s." rejoined our compan-
ion.
The woodman. after pausing min
ute or two, said, "Place the money
in my hand and | will tell you"
We placed II in his hand-and, after
he had carefully examined every
piece. told us all that had passed.
We rode of, and on our arrival at
the palace. asked to be admitted to the
Emperor, when we expounded his rid
die.
Napoleon, pale with anger, said,-
"Bring the woodman before me, dead
or alive.
He was soon found. and bro't into
the presence of his angry monarch.
"Sirah, how dare you break your
promise with me?"
Sire," said the woodman, with great
composure, Il have not disobeyed
your commands"
"How. slave said Napoleon, "dare
yon tell me lie?"
"Sire," said the woodman, "you
told me | should tell no one till had
seen your face hundred times -
Then putting his hand deliberately in
to his pocket, he laid the pieces Of mo-
ney, one by one, before the Emperor.
with the heads upwards. "There.
sire, continued he. shave not seen
your face hundred times?"
Napoleon burst into a lond fit Of
laughter, gave him a slap in the face,
called him clever fellow, and made
him captain Of artillery, where he
proved himself deserving Of his good