Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-04-28
A FRENCH STORY.
The Price Of Two Potatoes in 1905.

The Price Of Two Potatoes in 1905.
The following anecdote of the first
Napoleon was related by al English
man, who was q considerable time in
the French military service, and who
vouches for it's authenticity: ...s
The evening before the battle of Ulm,
when Napoleon the First, in company
with Marshal Berther, was walking IN
cognito through the camp, and listen
ing to the talk of his soldiers. he saw
IN group not far off grenadier of the
guard, who was roasting some potatoes
In the ashes. ...... ~
IL should like roast potato aboveall
things" said the Emperor to the Mar
shall; task the owner of them if he will
sell one.'
In obedience to the order. Berthier
advanced to the group and asked to
whom the potatoes belonged. A gren-
adler stepped forward and said. "They
are mine" . 49,.
thier. ~ '1
81 have only fve," said the grena-
der, "and that's hardly enough for my
supper"
II will give you two napoleons if you
Will sell me one, continued Berthier.
II don't want your gold" said the
grenadler; 81 shall be killed, perhaps,
tomorrow, and / don't want the enemy
to find me with an empty stomach" =
Berthier reported the soldiers an
swer to the Emperor, who was standing
little In the background
'Let me see if I snail be luckier than
you, said the latter and going up close
to the grenadier, he asked him il he
would sell him potato.
"Not by long shot," answered the
grenadier: Il havn't enough for my
''But you may set your own price"
said Napoleon. Come am hungry
and haven't eaten to-day"
81 tell you l haven't enough for N.Y.
self, replied the grenadier; "besides
all that, do you think [ don't know you
in spite of your disguise %
"Who am I then ?" inquired Napole-
On.
''Bah !" said the grenadier: "The
Little Corporal, as they all call you Am
1 right"
"Well," said Napoleon, "since YOU
know me, will You sell me a potato %
"No," said the grenadier; s'but if you
would have me come and dine with YOU
when we get back to Paris, you may
sup with me tonight" a'
''Done - said Napoleon; con the
word OF Little Corporation the 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 I'll eat myself"
The Emperor sat down and ate his
potatoes, and then returned with Ber-
thier to his tent, merely remarking-
1.-The rogue Is a good soldier, I'll
wager"
Two months afterward Napoleon the
Great was In in the midst of O. brilliant
court at the Palace of the Tuileries, and
was just sitting down to dine when word
was brought to him that grenadier was
without trying to force the guard at the
door saying that he had been invited by
the Emperor.
'Let him come in" said His Ma
jesty. "aa.
The soldier entered, and presented
arms, and said to the Emperor
800 you remember once having
supped with me off my roast potatoes %
80 ! is that you? Yes I remember"
said the Emperor: sand SO you have
come to dine with me have you? Rus
tip, lay another cover on your table for
this brave fellow"
Again the grenadier presented arms
and said:-
"a grenadier of the guards does not
eat with lackeys. Your Majesty told
me [ should dine with you-that was
the bargain-and, trusting your word,
have come hither."
True, true" said the Emperor; clay a
cover near me. Lay aside your arms,
mon ANA, and draw up to the table"
Dinner over, the grenadier went at
his usual pace, took up his carbine, and
turning to the Emperor presented ARMS
"a mere private" said he Fought not
to dine at the table of the Emperor"
"Ah [ understand you," said Ma
poleon. Il name you Chevalier of the
Legion of Honor, and lieutenant in my
company of guards.
''Thank you, heartily" returned the
soldier ''Vive Z Emperor I" he shout
ed and then withdrew.