The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-07
Price of Two Potatoes I'm 1908.

The following anecdote of the first Ma
poLEoN is related in a letter from cores
pendent who was in the French military
service, and who vouches for its au-
thehticity: '>e.
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 q ,grenadier of the guard, who was
roasting some potatoes III the ashes.
81 should like q roasted potato above
all things" said the emperor to the mar
shall; task the owner of them if he will
sell one."
In obedience to the order, Berthior ad-
vanced to the group aud asked to whom
the potatoes belonged
"They are mine"
"Will you sell me one?" said Berthier.
81 have only five," said the grenadier,
"and that's hardly enough for my
supper"
81 will give You two Napoleons if yon
will sell me one," continued Berther.
81 don't want your gold," said the
grenadier; "I shall be killed, perhaps, to-
morrow. and | don't want the enemy to
find me with an empty stomach"
Berthier reported the soldiers answer
to the emperor, who vas standing a little
in the background.
"Let's see if l shall be luckier than
you," said the latter; and, going up close
to the srenadier, he asked him if he would
sell potato.
"Not by long shot," answered the
grenadier; 81 haven't enough for my
self"
"But you may set your own price,"
said Napoleon. "Come, am hungry,
aud haven't eaten to-day"
Il tell you l haven't enough for my
self" repeated the grenadier; "besides
all that, do You think don't know you in
spite of your disguise?"
"Who am /, then9" inquired Ma
poleon.
Bah said the grenadier. "The lit
tie corporal, as they call you. Am l
right2"
"Well," said Napoleon, "since you
know me, will you sell me potato2"
"No," said the grenadier "but you
would have me come and dine with You
when We get back to Paris, you may sup
with NE tonight.
"Done," said Napoleon, " on the word
Of little corporal !-on tho word of an
EMPEROR
well and good" said the grenadier.
Our potatoes ought to be done by this
time. There are the two largest ones
the rest III eat myself"
The emperor sat down and ate his pota-
toes, and then returned with Berthier to
his tent, merely remarking, "The rogue
is q good soldier, I'll wager"
Two months afterwards, Napoleon the
Great was in the midst of brilliant court
at the Tuilleries, and was Just sitting down
to dine, when 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 him ill.," said his majesty.
"The soldier entered, presented arms
and said to Napoleon "Do you remem-
Der once having supped with me off my
roasted potatoes2"
ooh, is that you? Yes, yes, remem-
Der, sad the emperor; and SO you have
come to dine with me, have you? Russian
lay announcer cover on your table for that
brave fellow"
Again the grenadier presented arms, and
said: "A grenadier of the guards does not
eat with lackeys. Your majesty told me
l should eat with you, that was the bar
gain; and, trusting to your word, 1 have
come hither."
True, true, said the emperor, clay a
cover here near me; lay aside your armor,
mon ami, and draw up to the table"
Dinner over, the grenadier went to his
usual place, lookup bis carbine, and, turn
ing to the emperor, presented arms. "a
mere private" be said, sought not to dine
at the table of his emperor.
''Ab! understand You, "said Napoleon.