Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-04-03
A CUNNING SOLDIER.
The Price OfTwo POtatOs in 1905.

The Price OfTwO POtatOs In 1905.
The following anecdote of the FIRST Ma
poleon was related by an Englishman
who was a considerable time in the mill
tary service of the French, who vouches
for its authenticity:
The evening before the battle of Ulm,
when Napoleon the First, in company
with Marshal Berthier, was walking IN
cognito through the camp, and listening
to the talk of his soldiers, he saw in a
group not far off grenadier of the guard,
who was roasting some potatos in the
ashes.
" l should like roast potato above all
things" said the Emperor to tho Mar
shall; "ask the owner of them if he will
sell one."
In obedience to the order, Berthier ad
vanced to the group and asked to whom
the potatos belonged. a grenadier stepp-
ed forward and said, "They are mine"
viii you sell me one ?" inquired
Berther.
"I've only ive," answered the grena-
dier : and that's hardly enough for my
supper"
" will give you two napoleons for
one" continued the Marshal.
81 don't want your gold," said the
grenader 81 shall be killed, perhaps,
tomorrow, and don't want the enemy
to find me with an empty stomach"
Berthier reported the answer to the
Emperor, who was standing a little in
the background.
Let me see if 1 shall be luclier than
you," said the latter, and going up to
the grcnadier he asked him if he would
sell him potato.
Not by long shot" answered the
grenadier "Why, 1 haven't enough
for myself"
But you may set your own price, y
said Napoleon Come, am hungry
and | haven't eaten to-day"
" tell you | haven't enough for my
self" answered the grenadier /; " besides
all that, do yon think don't know you
in spite of your disguise 20
"Who am l, then ?" asked the EN-
peror.
Bah !" said the grenadier "The
Little Corporal, as they call you. Am |
right ?"
Well" said Napoleon, since you
know me, will you sell me potato ?"
No." said the grenadier; "but if you
would have me come and dine with you
after we get back to Paris, you may sup
with me tonight"
Done !" said Napoleon :" on the
word of Little Corporation the word
of an Emperor"
Well and good" said the grenadier I;
".Our potatos 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 po-
tatos, and then returned with Berther to
his tent, merely remaSling
The rogue is good soldier, l will
wager"
Two months afterward Napoleon wa:
in the midst of brilliant court at the
| Palace Of the Tuieries, and was Just sit
ting Gown to dine when word was brough
to him that grenadier was without, try
ing to force the guard at the door, saying
that he had been invited by the En-.
peror.
Let him come in" said his Majesty
The soldier entered, presented farms
and said to the Emperor
" Do you remember having once supp
ed with me off my roast potatos ?"
"Ah, is that you Yes, L remember, ;
said the Emperor. "And so you have
come to dine with me, have your Rus
tan, lay another cover on your table 70
this brave fellow"
Again the grenadier presented arms
and said
" A grenadier of the Guards does no
eat with lackeys. Your Majesty told me
l should dine with you-and, trusting tC
your word, | have come thither."
True, true" said the Emperor, "lay
cover near me. Lay aside your arms,
mon ami, and draw up to the table"
Dinner over, the grenader went at hi.
usual pace, took up his carbine, and
turning to the Emperor presented arms
" A mere private" said he, ought not
to dine at the table Of the Emperor"
All /! | understand you," said Ma
polcon. " name you Chevaller of the
Legion Of Honor, and Lieutenant of my
company of Guards"
Thank you, heartily" returned the
soldier. " ViUe te Emperor J" he shout
ed and then withdrew.
GENERoUs.-An old lady in Loekport
recently achieved eminence by carrying