Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-12-25
Napoleon and the Woodman.

As Napoleon was riding out, sttended
by some officers. | was of the party we
rode by the place where some woodmen
were cutting timber, and observing one of
them singing, the Emperor turned to us
and said:
Observe. that man, who, though toiling
hard for his daily bread, seems to be very
happy
The woodman, observing 80 many look
ing at him, made a respectful bow, and APP
preached US to ask if we bad lost our way
No, said the Emperor, but tell me, my
honest man, what makes you so cheerful?
What may You earn day?
Three francs, your honor
three francs!' exclaimed the Emperor
Yes SIR
Does that support you and your fami-
ly9 Tell me how you manage to do So
With pleasure. your honor, if you will
step little this way. With three francs a
day not only keep my wife and family,
but l also put my money out at interest, and
pay off my old debts by maintaining my
aged father and mother. SO you see may
well be happy
Excellent man. said Napoleon, here is
a Napoleon for you,' tossing him the mon
ey. Keep what you have told me secret
l am your Emperor, ard on pain CT my
displeasure, l enjoin you to tell no one till
you have seen my face at least one hundred
times
Sir. it shall De so.'
Napoleon turned his horses head joined
u.s.
The same evening. as he appeared to be
thoughtful, General Rasp asked him if
anything unpleasant had occurred during
the day.
No. said the Emperor. but / met a
man this morning, who, with three francs
per day, told me he kept bis family, placed
money ont at interest. and paid off his OLD
debts. Gentlemen, he continued, address
ing US, you will please me much if 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 a
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 on the previous day
Yes. had the honor of talking'with the
Emperor
What did you say to E;.n?'
Excuse me gentlemen, that | must not
tell you
One of The party said. Il viii give you
fifty Napoleons to tell me-
No, dare not
You shall have one hundred, if you will
otlige u.s. rejoiued one of our compan-
ions.
The woodman, after pausing minute or
two. said:
place the money in my hand and l will
tell YOU
We placed it in his hand, and after he
had carefully examined every piece, told us
all that had passed.
We rode off, and on our arrival at the
palace, asked to be admitted to the Empe-
TOR. when we expounded his riddle.
Napoleon, pale with anger. said:
Bring the woodman before me, dead, or
alive
The woodman was soon found and
brought into the presence Of his angy
monarch.
.Sirrah, how dare you break your prom
Use with me?
Sire, said the woodman, with great corn
posture, i have not disobeyed your COM
mands.
How, slave, said Napoleon. dare you
tell me a lie?
Sire, said the woodman, you told me
should tell no one till had seen your face
hundred times Then putting his hand
deliberately into his. pocket, he laid the
pieces Of money. one by one. before the
Emperor, with the heads upwards. There
size, continued he, have / not seen your
face hundred times?
Napoleon burst into loud fit oil laugh
ter, gavehim slap in the face, called him
clever fellow, and made him a captain
of artillery, where he proved himself de-
serving of his good fortune.
IMPuDENT QUEsrIoNs.-To ask an I'M
married lady how old she is.