The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-12-02
NapoIeon and the woodman.

4
+. AS Napoleon was riding out attended by
several officers, l was one of the party-we
rode past forest where some woodmen were
cutting timber. Observing one of them
singing, the Emperor, with smile, turned
round and said:
Observe that man, who, though toiling
hard for his daily bread, seems to be quite
happy
| The woodman observing SO many persons
looking at him, made n respectful bow, and
approached us to inquire, if we had lost our
| way.
NO. said the Emperor, but tell me my
honest man what makes you SO cheerful o.
What may you earn dayP
Three francs. your honor
Three francs,' said the Emperor, docs
that support you and your family! Tell me
how you manage to do sog
with pleasure your honor, If you will
please step little this way. With three
francs ! not only keep my wife and family,
but also put money out on interest, and
pay off my old debts
Explain YOURSELF
Willingly, your honor. keep my wife
and children; place money out at interest
by educating the latter at school, and pay
of my old debts by maintaining my aged
father and mother. So you see, your honor,
l may well be happy
Excellent man. said Napoleon, here is a
Napoleon for you, tossing him the money.
keep what you have told me secret. am
your Emperor, and on pain of my displeas-
ure, epjoin you to tell no one till you have
seen my face ut least hundred times
'Sire, it shall be so.'
Napoleon turned his horses head and re-
joined us.
The same evening, as he appeared quito
thoughtful, General Rasp asked him if any.
thing 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 interest, and paid off his old debts. Gen
tlemcn, continued the Emperor, you will
please me much if any of you can tell me
the meaning of what he said
All Of US were anxious to please our mon
arch, and knowing that he had spoken to
woodman 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 TO on the previous day.
The man sail, yes, had the honor of
talking with the Emperor
What did you say to bimg
Excuse me, gentlemen, that / must not
tell YOU
One of the party said, twill give you fifty
Napoleons to tell me-
The man said, NO, ! dare not
sYou shall hova opa hupcra1 &c xou x.;l1
oblige u.s. rcjoiRed our companion.
The woodman after pausing a minute or
two said
Place the money in my hand and will
tell YOU
We placed it in his hand,. and after lie
had carefully examined every piece he told
us what had transpircd.
We rode off and on our arrival at the pal
ace, asked to be admitted to the Emperor,
when we explained his riddle.
Napoleon pale with anger said
Bring the woodman before me, dead or
alive!
He was soon found and ushered into the |
presence Of the angry monarch.
'Sirrab, how have you dared to break
your promise with meP
Sire,' said the woodman, with great COM
posure, Il have not disobeyed yonr COM
mands.'
How slave said Napoleon, dare you tell
me lief"
Sire, replied the woodman, you told me
/ should tell no one until had seen your
face one hundred times Then putting his
hands into his pockets he laid the pieces of
money one by one, before the Emperor with
the heads up, Sire con.inued he, havc not
seen your face one hundred times2
Napoleon burst into loud fit of laughter,
gave him slap in the face, called him a
a clever fellow, and made him a captain in the
artillery, where he proved himself deserving
of his oood fortune