Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-04-08
CUNNING SOLDIER.


The Price Of Two Potatoes i'm 1905.
The following anccdote Of the first Napo-
leon was related by an Englishnan, who was
4 considerable time in the French military
service, and who vouches for its authenticity:
The evening before the battle OF Ulm, when
Napoleon the FIRST, in company with Mar
sha Berther. was walking ancoynlto through
the camp, and listening to the talk OF his SOL
diers, he saw in a group not far OFT grena-
dier Of the Guard, roasting some potatoes in
the ashes.
81 should like Il roast pota.oc above all
things" said the Emperor to the Marshall;
.'ask the owner if he will sell one.
In obedience to the order, Berthier advaEc-
ed to the group and asked to whom the pota-
toes belonged. A grenadier stepped forward
and said, They are mine.'
''Will you sell me one?' inquired Berthier.
81 haYe only five, said the grenadier, land
that's hardly enough for my supper.
Il will give you two Napoleons if yon will
sell me one" continued Berthier.
Il don't want your gold," said the grena-
dier; Il shall be killed, perhaps, tomorrow,
and don't want the enemy to find me with
al empty stomach.
Berihier reported the soldiers answer to the
Emperor, who WAS standing a little in the
background.
Lets see ii l shall be luckicr than you"
said the latter, and going close up to the
grenadier, he asked if he would sell him
pOtatoc.
Not by long shot, answered the grena-
der: II haven't enough for myself
But you can name your own price, said
Napoleon. ''Comc, ] am hungry, and have
not eaten to-day"
II tell YOU | haven't enough for myself"
replied the grenadier; 'beside all that, do you
think don't know you IN spite OF your dis
guise?'
"Who am /, them" inquired Napoleon.
''Bah!" said the grenader; ''the Little Cor
poral. as they all call you. Am righ,?
"Well," said Napoleon, ''since you know
me, will you sell me a potatoe?"
':No, said the grenadier; ''but il you would
have me come and dine with you when we
! get back to Paris, you may sup with me to-
night" 49,, a., ,.or, of
| a Little Corporation the word Of an Emper-
| OF"
"Well and good, said the grenadier. Our
| potatoes ought to be done by this time, there
are the two largest ones; the rest Ill eat my
selt'
The Emperor sat down and ate his potatoes,
(! and then returned with Berthicr to his tent,
merely remarking:
1.-The rogue is good soldier, Ill wager. "
Two months afterward Napoleon the Great
was in the midst of a brilliant court at the pal
ace of the Tuileries, and was just sitting down
to dine when word was brought to him that :,
grenadier was withouttryins to fore the guard
at the door, saying that he had been invited
by the Emperor.
LET him come in,' said his Majesty.
The soldier entered, presented arms, and
said to the Emperor:
'.Do you remember once having supped
with me off my roast potatoes" .,
ooh! is that you? Yes, remember said
the Emperor; land so you have come to dine
with me, have you? Russian. lay another
cover on your table for this brave fellow
Again the grenadier presented arms, and
said:
"A crenadier of the Guard does not eat
with lackeys. Your Majesty told me should
dine with you-that was the bargain-and
trusting to your word, have come hither. >
''True, true," said the Emperor; ''lay q
cover here near me. lay aside your arms
man ami, and draw up to the table"
Dinner over, the grenadier went at his usll
al pace. took up his carbine. and turning tc
the Emperor, presented arms.
"A mere private" said he, fought not tc
dine at the table Of the Emperor"
"Ah! l understand you" said Napo'eon
81 name yon Chevalier of the Legion o1
Honor, and Lieutenant in my company o1
Guards"
"Thank you heartily returned the sol
dier. "Vce rEmperenr'' he shouted, ant
then withdrew.