The Shasta courier., 1864-12-03
SHASTA COURIER.
Price Of two Potatoes IN 1908.

The following anecdote of the first Napo
leon is related in letter from a correspon-
dent. who was q considerable time in the
French military service, and who vouehes for
its authenticity:
The evening before the battle of Ulm, when
Napoleon the First, in company with Mar
shall Berthier, was walking incognito through
the camp and listening to the talk OF his SOL
diers, be saw in a group not far of a grena-
der of the guard, who was roasting some po-
.tatoes in the ashes. :,
II should like roasted potato above all
things" said the emperor tothe marshal :"
"ask the owner of them if he will sell one.
In obedience to the order, Berthier advan-
ced to the group and asked to whom the po-
tatoes belonged.
"They are mine."
"Will you sell me one?" inquired Ber-
thier.
II have only fve," said the grenadier,
"and that's hardly enough for my supper,
g / will give you two napoleons-if you sell
me one," continued Berthier.
II don't want your gold" said the gren-
adler II shall be killed. perhaps, to-mor-
row. and don't want the enemy to find me
Ber,hier reported the soldiers answer to
the emperor, who was standing little in the
back ground.
Let's see il shall be luckier than yau. "
said the latter; and, going up close to the
prenadier he asked him if he would sell a po
tato.
mot by long shot. y answHred the gren-
adler i" / haven't enough for myself" !"
But you may set yosr own price, said
Napoleon. 8 Come. am hungry, and hav
en't eaten to-day"
II tell you haven't enough for myself"
repeated the grenadier; :" besides all that, do
you think don't know you in spite of your
disguise?'
.sWho am thcn?' inquired Napoleon.
bah 7" said the grenadier. :" The little
corporal. as they call you. Am right?'
''Well." said Nopoleon, i" since you know
me, will you sell me potato?::
No." said the grenadier 6 but if ynu
would have me come and dine with YOU when
we get back to Paris, you may sup with me
to night"
"Done," said Napoleon, son the word of
a corporal lon the word of an emperorn'
"Well and good" said the grenadier.
"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 retarned with Berthier to his tent,
merely remaking: The rogue is good sol
dier, 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
grenadier was without trying to force the
guard at the door. saving that he had been
invited by the emperor.
60 Let him in," said his majesty
The soldier entered, presented afmst and
said to Napoleon DO you remember once
having supped with me off my roasted pota-
toes?'
"Oh. is that you? Yes, yes, remember.
And so you have come to dine with me, have
you? Russian, lay another cover on your ta-
Bile 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
should eat with you. and trusting to your
word. have come hither."
"True, true," said the emperor. Lay a
cover here near me; lay aside your arms,
mon ami, and draw up to the table,"
Dinner over the grenader went to his
usual place, took up his carbine, and turning
to the emperor. presented arms. 8 A mere
private" he said, "ought not to dine at the
table of his emperor"
All! / understand you.' said Napoleon.
81 name you Chevalier of the Legion of Hon.
or and Lieutenant in my company of guards"
THANK you. heartily" returned .tbe SOL
dier. "Vive PEmpereur." he shouted, and
then withdrew.