Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-04-30
A FRENCH STORY.


The following anecdote of the first
Napoleon was related by an English
man, who was a considerable time in
the French military service, ank who
vouches for it's authenticity:
The evening before the battle of
Ulm, when Napoleon the First, in
company with Marshal Berthier, was
walking incognito through the camp,
and listening to the talk Of his sol
diers, he saw in a group not far off, a
grenadier of the guard, who was
roasting some potatoes in the ashes.
~ should like a roast potato above
all things" said the Emperor to the
Marshal; task the owner of them if
he will sell one.'
In obedience to the order, Berthlcr
advanced to the group and asked to
whom the potatoes belonged. A
grenadier stepped forward and said,
"They are mine."
"Will you sell me one?" inquired
Berthier.
81 have only five," answered the
grenadier, "and that's hardly enough
for my supper.
81 will give you two napo.eons if
you will sell me one" continued Ber-
thier.
81 don't want your gold," said the
grenadier; 81 shall be killed, perhaps,
tomorrow, and l don't want the enc
my to find me with an empty stom-
ach."
Berthier reported the soldiers an
swer to the Emperor, who was stand
ing little in the background.
"Lct me see if l shall be luckier
than you," said the latter, and going
up close to the grenadier, he asked
him if he would sell him a potato.
"Not by long shot, answered
the grenadier; II havn't enough for
myself
"But you may Set your own price, -
said Napoleon. "Come, / am hun
cry, and havn't eaten to-day"
II tell you l havn't enough for
myself" replied the grenadier; "be-
sides all that, do you think l don't
know you in spite of your disguise" ="
"Who am I, then?" asked Napolc-
"Bah!" sad the grenadier. ''The
Little Corporal, as they call you. Am
l right?"
"Well," said Napoleon, "since you
know me, will you sell me pota-
to-"
"No," said the grenadler; "but if
you would have me come and dine
with you when we get back to Paris,
you may sup with me tonight"
"Done," said Napoleon; con the
word of Little Corporation the
word of an Emperor"
"Well and good" said the grena.
dier. "Our potatoes ought to be done
by this time; there are the two larg-
est 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:
"The rogue is good soldier, iii
wager"
Two months atterward, Napoleon
the Great was in the midst of bril-
liant court at the Palace of the Tull
cries, 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 EN-
peror.
"Let him come in," said His Males
ty.
The soldier entered, and present
ed arms, and said to the Emperor:
"Do you remember once having
supped with me off my roast pota
toes?"
"Oh! is that you? Yes, 1 remem
ber," $ aid the Emperor; land so you
have come to dine with me, have
you? Rustin, lay another cover or
your table for this brave fellow"
Again the grenadler presented
arms and said:
"A grenadier of the guards does
not eat with lackeys. Your Majesty
told me l should dine with you
that was the bargain-and, trusting
your word, have come hither."
"True, true," said the Emperor
clay cover near me. Lay aside
your arms, mon ami, and draw up tc
the table"
Dinner over, the grenadier went a
his usual place, took up his carbine
and, turning to the Emperor, present
ed arms.
"a mere private" said he, "ough
not to dine at the table of the En-
peror."
"Ah, l understand you," said tn
Emperor. 81 name you Chevalier o
the Legion of Honor, and Lieutenan
in my company of guards"
"Thank you heartily" returned tn
soldier. "Vive 7 Empereer."' h
shouted and then withdrew.