Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-03-02


i A CuxxIxo SoLprfs.-The ,follov.
ing anecdote of the First Napoleon va
related BY an Engiishman, who vas !
\ considerable time in the French militia.
ny service, and who youches for it<su.
fhanticityi -
! The eyening be3asp "a to16le Z
lazy WITH Xarsbal Befthier. vas walk.
ing incogsito through the camp and
listening to the talk of bis soldiers, be
saw in group not far off greuadier
Of the guard who was roasting some po-
tatoes.
Il should like roast potato above
all things,' said the Emperor to the
marshal; ask the owner OF them if be
will sell one
In obedience to the order, Berthier
advanced to the group and asked to
whom the potatoes belonged. A grena-
dier STEPPED forward and said, They
are mime
will you sell me one?' inquired
Berthier.
Il have only fve,' said the grena-
dier, and that's hardly enough for my
supper
i win give you two napoleon's if
you will sell me one,' confined Ber-
thier.
Il don't want your gold said the
grenadier; Il shall be killed, perhaps,
to. morrow, and / don't want the enemy
to find me with an empty stomach
'Berthier reported the soldiers an
swer to the Emperor, who was stand
ing little in the background.
Let's see if I shall be luckier than
you said the latter, and going up close
to the grenadier, he asked him if he
would sell him potato.
Not by a long shot, answered the
grenadieri i haven't enough for my
self -
But you may set your own price,
sid Napoleon. Come, am hungry,
and haven't eaten to-day
1tell YouI haven't enough for nv.
self repeated the grenadier; besides
al that, DO you think don't know you
in spite of yeur .a;sg1lisei'
Who am /, then z inquired Napo-
leon.
Bah" said the grenadier. The lit
tie corporal, as they call you. Am /
right 2
"Well,' said Napoleon, "since you
know me, will you sell me a pota-
to?'
No. said the grenadier, but if you
will have me come and dine with You
when We get back to Paris, you NAV
sup with me tonight
'Done!' said Napoleon; on the word
of little corporal-on the word of an
Emperor
We'll and good said the grenadier.
Our potatoes ought TO be done by this
time; there are the two largest ones,
the rest III eat myself
The Emperor sat down and ate his
potatoes, and then returned with Ber-
thier TO his tent, merely remarkinc:
The rogre is a good soldier, I'll
wager
Two months afterward Napoleon the
Great was in the midst of q brilliant
court at the palace OF the Tuileries. and
was just sitting down to dine. when
word was brought to him that grena-
dier was without, trying to force the
guard ut the door. saying that he had
been invited by the Emperor.
Let him come in, said bis maies-
ty.
The soldier entered, presented arms,
and said to the Emperor:
DO you remember having once sup
ped with me off my roast potatoes 2
oh. is that you! Yes, yes, l re-
mem ber, said the Emperor; and SO
you have come to dine with me, have
you? Russian. Law 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 lacquays. Your majesty told
me ! should dine with you-that was
the bargain; and trusting to your word
i have come hither.'
True, true said the Emperor, lay
q cover here near me. Lay aside your
arms mon ami, and draw up to the Ia
BILE
Dinner over. the grenadier went at
his usual pace. and turning to the EN-
peror, presented arms.
A mere private said he. 'ought not
to dine at the table Of his Emperor
'Ah! l understand you,' said Ma
poleon, 'lname you chevalier of the
Legion of Honor, and lieutenant in nv
company of guards
Thank you heartily returned the
soldier. Vice Emreresr !" he shout.
ed, aud then withdrew.