Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-06-07
The Price of Two Potatoes In 1906.

The following anecdote of the first Napoleon
this necessity of discriminating between the
two Napoleons is little inconvenient-is reat-
ed in a letter from a correspondent, who was a
considerable time in the French military SER
vice, and who vouches for its authenticity. We
might say Of it, " Sc don zero ben trovato -
The evening before the battle of Ulm, when
Napoleon the first in company with Marshal
Berthier, was walking incognito through the
camp and listening to the talk of his soldiers he
saw in group not far off grenadier of the
Guard, who was roasting some potatoes in the
ashes.
81 should like aroast potato above all things, u
said the Emperor to the Marshal; task the
owner of them if he will sell one"
In obedience to the order, Berthier advanced
belonged. A greuadier stepped forward and
said,
''They are mine"
"Will you sell me one?
81 have only five, and that's hardly enough
for my supper"
# will give you two Napoleons if you will
sell me one."
81 don't want your gold; l shall be killed,
perhaps, tomorrow, and l don't want the enc.
my to find me with an empty stomach"
Berthier reported the soldiers answer to the
Emperor, who was standing little in the back
ground.
s'Let's see if 1 shall be luckier than you, said
the latter, and going up close to the grenadier,
he asked him if he would sell him potato.
"Not by long shot, answered the grenadier
haven't enough for myself.
"But you may set your own price. Come
am hungry, and haven't eaten to-day.
81 tell you haven't enough for myself-be-
sides all that, do you think don't know you in
spite of your disguise?
"Who am Ithen?
"Bah The little corporal, IS they call him
am right?
"Well since you know me, will you sell me q
potato?
"No, but if you would have me come and dine
with you when we get back to Paris, you may
sup with me to night.
''Done said Napoleon, On the word of q
little corporal; on the word of an Emperor
swell 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 and ate his potatoes
and then returned with Berthier to his tent
merely remarking, The rogue is good soldier
I'll wager
''Two months afterwards Napoleon the Great
was in the midst of brilliant court at the pal.
ace of the Tuilleries and was just sitting down
to dine, when the 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 hime come in,' said his ma
jesty. The soldier entered, presented arms, and
said to the Emperor:
"Do you remember once having supped with
me off my roast potatoes?"
ooh, is that you? Yes, yes, remember, .
said the Emperor: ''and so you have come to
dine with me, have you? Russian lay another
cover on your table for this brave fellow"
Again the grenadier presented arms, and
said:
"a grenadier of the Guards does not eat with
lackeys. Your Majesty told me should dine
with you-that was the bargain, and trusting to
your word, have come hither."
'True, true" said the Emperor, clay cover
hear near me; lay aside your arms, mon ami,
and draw up to the table,"
DINNER over, the grenadier went, at his usu-
al pace took up his carbine, and turning to the
Emperor, presented arms and said: .-.
"a mere private ought not to dine at the ta-
Bile of his Emperor
"Ah understand you," said Napoleon. II
name you Chevalier of the Legion of Honor,
and Lieutenant in ny company of Guards
''Thank you heartily. Tive rEmpers"r ~
answered the aoldier and Withdraw