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

The following anecdoto Of the first Ma
poLEoN is related in letter from a cores
pondent who was in tho French military
service, and who vouciIes for it's au-
thenticity:
The evening before the battle OF Ulm,
when Napoleon the First, in company with
Marshal Borthier, WAS walking incognto
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 roasted potato above
all things" said the emperor TO TIE mar
shal; task the owner Of them if he will
sell one"
In obedience TO the CIDER, BeItlior al
vanced to the group :l4i asked to whom
the potatoes belonged.
"They are mine. "
"Nill you sell me one? " said Berthior.
Il have only five" sid the grona.}ier,
"aud that's hardly enoHgh for ny
supper"
Il will give yoa two Napoieols il yon
will sell ne one" continued Berthier
Il don't want Your gold," said the
grenadier; 81 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 aa' standing a little
in the background.
"Let's see il | shall be luckier than
you," said the latter; and, going Up close
to the grenadier, he asked him if he would
sell potato.
"Not by long shot," answered the
grenader; -" haven't enough for my
self"
"But you may set your own price,"
said Napoleon. "Come, I am hungry,
aud haven't eaten to-day"
Il tell you l haven't enough for N.Y.
SELF" repeated the grenadier; "besides
all that, do you think don't know you in
spite of your disguise?"
"Who am |, them" inquired Ma
poleon.
Bah said the grensder. 1.-THE lit
tie corporal, az they call you. Am l
rght?"
"Wel!," said Napoleon, "snce you
know me, will you sell me potato?"
"No," said the grenadier; "but You
would have me come and dine with You
when We get back to Paris, you NAV sup
with lEc to-Light.
"Done, said Napoleon, g on the word
Of little corporal !-on the word Of an
EMPEROR
well and good" said the grenadier.
Our potatoes ought to lie done by this
time. There are the two largest ones
the rest I'll eat myself"
The emperor sat down and ate his pota-
toes, and then returned with Berther to
his tent, merely remarkins, "The rogue
IS q good soldier, I'll wster."
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 pOtatoes?"
ooh, is that you: Yes, yes, remen-
Der, sad the emperor; and SO you have
come to dine with me, have you? Russian
lay another cover on your table for that
bravo fellow"
Again the grenadier presented arms, and
said: ga grenadier of the guards does not
eat with lackeys. Your majesty told me
| should eat with you, that was the bar
gain; and, trusting to your word, have
come hither."
True, true, said the emperor, clay
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, fought not to dine
at the table of his emperor.
"Ab! understand You, said Napoleon.