Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-08
A coUR1ER FOR NAPOLEON.
Charles Martet;s Ride From Tarsay to
Paris
Philadelphia Record. |

h6cOTu.
II once enjoyed the high honor of carry
ing letters from the Emperor Napoleon to
Josephine" yesterday remarked Mr..
Charles Martel, French wigmaker, at No.
S02 Walnut street Mr.. Martel, venerable
looking gentleman, who is in his
eighty-fourth year, feels very proud of the
service rendered his commander in chief
on that occasion. Whenever he can be
persuaded to talk of the affair his wrinkied
countenance lights up with emotion and
the old man relates with evident pleasure
. the particulars of how he came to be
selected courier and how well he discharged
the task assigned him.
Mr.. Martel was rather disposed to evade
the lnterrogatorie5 of his visitor at first,
but he was eventually prevailed upon to
tell the story. "The emperor was advanc-
/ ing upon Moscow at the time I speak of,
which was in the early part of the year
! 1872" Mr.. Martel began. ''The army had ar
rived at Warsaw when Napoleon issued an
order for courier to instantly set out for
France. Twas but thirteen years of age
| at the time and was drummer boy in the
fourth regiment of Hussars. Onr general
came to me knowing that was good
(
wanted to see me. Upon being led into
other soldiers there, who had also been rec
commended by their respective generals
to act as couriers. His excel
lency had summoned the four of US
IN order to see for himself and make his
own selection. When l entered the camp
Napoleon smiled, and, turning to nv gen
nct- I'D 10
6o?' Though 1 was only a lad and knew
nothing of the contemplated mission be-
yond the fact that there was long dis
tance to be covered on horseback, I was
ambitious to be selected. You may imag-
inc how my heart leaped when my
superior wildly recommended to the EN-
peror the tricks he had seen me perform
with several of the cavalry mems horses. I
had learned to ride well, and even at the
age or Ii could manage a horse as well
as anybody. Napoleon appeared some
what pleased at the recommendation of my
general, and remarked: ''He VIII do.'' He
thsn selected another man. much older
than l was, because at the time it was Gus
tomary to send two couriers by different
routes with the same messages, for fear
that if one were dispatched the letter would
not reach It's destination. After Diminishing
the other two soldiers my comrades and
remained to receive our instructions. When
all was ready and we were aboat to mount
our horses, Napoleon said: II think the
boy viii arrive first though his route is
nioe miles longer" Such encouraging
words from the emperor CT France fairly
set ne wild, and resolved to hand my
packet Of letters to Josephine before my
companion. though should fall dead al
the feet of the lady the moment after
doing SO.
Il securely placed my package in a belt
around my waist The only food 1 took
was some crackers, q few slices of beef
and a flask Of brandy, which slowed away
in my saddle bags. Upon receiving the
word &c." Isprang lightly into the sad
ole and dashed away, closely followed by
The other courier. l determined to draw
away from him before arriving at the
forks OF the road. Digging my spurs into
the horse L gave him the whip, and in a
few moments had the satisfaction Of seeing
him falling behind enveloped in cloud OF
dust. 1 mounted fresh horse every
twelve miles along the road, which were
kept in the government stables for the
special use of the governments c0uriers
For sixty hours rode along in this way
Though / was very much fatigued never
gave up, for / was determined to prove the
truth Of the emperor's prophecy that !
would arrive first Night and day sped
along through the snow and rain, with only
one idea on nay mind, and that was to win
the race. The distance IS over 900 miles
but I managed TO get 10 Paris c2e fuI hour
aaeaG Of ever. competition. Arriving ut
Josephine mansion, which was seven ra5isz
outside Of the city, was Immediately ush-
cred into her reception parlor, though
was covered with mud from head to foot.
The noble LADY graciously took from my
hand the letter, and With a simple Thank
YOU turned away and departed. The en-
Peror caused a message TO be conveyed to
me rendering his sincere thanks for Whas I
had done.''