Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-02-26
AnecdOte of Napoleon.

As Napoleon was riding out, attended BY
several officers, q was one of the party,) We
rode past a forest where sons uoodmen
were cutting timber. Observing one of
them singing, the Emperor, with q smile,
turned to US, and said: observe that man.
who though toiling lard for his daily bretd.
seems to be quite happy" The woodman,
observing so many persons looking at him
made respectful bow, and approached US TO
inquire if we had lost our weyl NO." said
the emperor '.but tell me, my honest man,
what makes you so cheerful, What may
you earn a dayl"-"Three francs, your
honor. .'--"Thrce francsr' said the En-.
peror "does that support you and yonr
family! Tell me how you manage to do So"
-"With pleasure, your honor, if you will
step little this way. With three francs ]
not only keep my wife and family, but |
also Put money out at interest, and pay OF
my old debts. .'-Explain yourself VIII
ingly, your honor. / keep my wife and
children-I place money out al interest
By educating he latter ct school, and pay
my old debts by maintaining my aged faihes
and mother. So you gee your honor, | may
well be happy" Excellent man." said
Napoleon, ''there is a Napoleon for you"
tossing him the money. Keep what you
have now told me secret. am your En-
peror, and, en- pain of nv displasure, en-
jOin You to tell No one till you hass-s
NY face a. leas. hundred times "-"Sire,
it shall be so. Napoleon turned his horses
head, and rejoined US. The sams evening.
as he appeared very thoughtful, General
Rasp asked him if anything unpleasant had
occurred that dayi-~No," said the Empe-
ror. but met man this morning who.
with three francs per day, told ne he kept
bis family, placed money out at Interest,"
and paid of his old debts. Gentlemen"
continued the Emperor, "you will please ms
much if any of you can tell ne The ne1ning
ofwhdt he said All OF US were anxious
to please our monarch, and, knowing that
he bad spoken to a woodman in the FORE
noon, We rode off on the following morning.
and, having found the woodman, asked him
il he knew To whom he had spoken on the
previous dsy.-The man said, "Yes had
The honor of talking with the Emperor
What did you say 10 him!"-'Excuse me.
of the party said, al Will give you diry
Napoleons TO tell me-" The man said, mo.
dare not. .'-'sYou shall have one hundred
if you will Oblige U.s." rejoined our compaz-
ion. The woodman after paHsing a minutes
or two said. "Place the money in my
hands, and | will tell yos." We placed il
in his hands, aad after he had CAREFUL, ex-
amined every piece, he told Us all ihst had
transPired. We rode of. and. on our srri-
val at the place. asked to be admitted TO IAs
Emperor, when We expounded his riddle
Napoleon, pale with anger. said: Bring
the wooiman before me, dead OF slive"-
He was scUn found, Il usher ID into ths pre-
sence Of his angry monarch "Sirrah. how
have you dared TO break your promise With
me!"--"Sire," said the NO dmaa, with
great composure. Il have MT disoheyed your
commands. .'--"How, slaye!" said Napoleon,
'sdare you tell me lie!'-"Sire," said the
wovGman, Sc, GU told me should tell no oLs
until ] had seen your face cne hundred
times" Then, putting his hands oe.iberste-
" into his pocket, lie laidIh pieces OF mon-
ey, ore by one, before the Emperor. with
the heads upward "rhcre, s;r," continued
he, "hare | lot seen your lace one huncred
times !"--Napoleon burst into loud 1T OF
laughter, gave him slap in the face, cal 9!
him clever fellow, and made nan a cap,aia
of artillery, where he proved himself tesSrS-
ing OF his good fortune.