The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-26
The Price Napoleon !. Paid for Twt
Potatoes in 1905.

q
The evening before the battle Of TIN
when Napoleon +, in company wit
Marshall Berthier, Was walking iHc0s
afto through the camp and listening I
the talk of his soldiers, he saw in
2 group not far of an Irishman, who wa
grenadier, roasting some potatoes be
fore fire Of red ashes.
should like roast potato above al
things, said the emperor to the mar
shal, sask the owner Of them if he will
sell one.
In obedience to the order, Berthiel
advanced to the group and asked tC
whom the potatoes belonged. The huge
Irishman stepped forward and said
They are mine.
VIII You sell me one?' inquired
Berthier.
Il have only FIVE, said the grenadier,
and that's hardly enough for my sup
pei"
Il viii give you two NapOleons if
you will sell me one" continued Ber-
thier.
- don't want your gold" said the
grenadier; II shall be killed tomorrow,
and don't want the enemy to find me
with an empty stomf ch."
Berthier reported tine soldiers answer
to Napoleon, who was standing a little
in the background.
Let's see if / shall be luckier than
you, said the latter, and going up close
TO the grenadisT, he asked him If he
would sell him potato.
Not by long shot" said the grena-
dier, II haven't enough for myself"
.'But you may set your own price,
said Napoleon. "Come, | am hungry
and haven't eaten to-day"
II tell you / haven't enough for my
self, !" repeated the grenadier. Besides
all that, don't you think / don't know
you in spite of your disguise?"
Who am ], then@' inquired Napo-
leon.
"BahP' said the grenadier, "The Lit
tie Corporal, as they call you. Am ]
right?'
"Well,s said Napoleon, "sinee you
know me viii you sell me potato?"
No." said the grenadier; "but if
you would have me 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
"WelI and good" said the grenadier,
'Our potatoes ought to be done by this
time, they are the two largest ones, the
rest I'll eat myself"
The emperor sat down and ace his po-
tatoes, and then returned with Berthier
to his tent, merely remarking. "The
rogue is good soldier, I'll be bound"
Two months afterwards Napoleon the
Great was in the midst of a brilliant
court at the palace of the Tuileries, aud
sitting down to dine, when word was
brought him that grenadier was with
,ut trying to force the guard at the
lo0r, Saying he had been invited by his
majesty.
Let him come in" said Napoleon.
The soldier entered, presented arms,
md said to the emperor, "Do you re-
member once having supped with me
If my roast potatoes"
"Oh, is that you? Yes, yes, remem-
,er," said the emperor; "and so you
ave come to dine with me, have you?
austan, lay another cover on your table
or this brave fellow"
Again the grenadier presented arms
nd said, "a gren&dier of the guards
oes not eat with lackeys. Your males
y told me should dine with you-that
Fas the bargain; and, trusting to your
Tord, | have come hither."
"True, true" said the emperor, clay
over near me; lay aside your arms,
aon ami, and draw up to the table,"
Dinner over, the grenadier went at
is usual pace, took up his carbine and
urning to the emperor, presented arms,
A mere private, said he, fought not to
inc at the table of his emperor"
"Ahl l understand you" said Napo-
con. II name you chevalier of the
.egion Of Honor, and lieutenant in my
ompany of guards"
"Thank you, heartily" returned the
older. "Vive PEmpereur," he shouted,
nd then withdrew.
M'Mahon was the soldiers name. One I
f his nephews played an important part I
4 French history later. !