Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-08
A CoURIER FOR NAPOLEON.
Charles Ma4teI's Ride From Tarsaw to
Parts.
Philadelphia Record. |

Parts.
philadelphia Record
ST once enjoyed the high honor of carry
ing letters from the Emperor Napoleon to
Josephine" yesterday remarked Mr..
Charles Martel, French wigmaker, at No.
500 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 wrinkled
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 we'll he discharged
the task assigned him.
Mr.. Martel was rather disposed to evade
, the heterogeneous 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 ! 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 l was a good
h0rseman, and told me that the emperor
wanted to see me. Upon being led into
! the presence of Napoleon [ found three
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 u;
in order to see for himself and make his
own selection. When l entered the camp
Napoleon smiled, and, turning to my gen
eral, asked: "Do you think the boy vii
DOT" Though l was only q Lad and knew
nothing Of the contemplated mission be
; yond the fact that there was a long dis
lance to be covered on horseback, wa
ambitious to DO selected. You may mag
inc how my heart leaped when N!
superior wildly recommended TO the EN-
peror the tricks he had seen me perform
with several of the cavalry mems horses.
=; had learned to ride well, and even at Ia
s age OF ID I could manage a horse as wei
as anybody. Napoleon appeared some
what pleased at the recommendation of IN
general, and remarked: He VIII do" Il
than selected another man, much ol5e
/ than l was, because at the time 1t was Gus
> tOmary to send two couriers by differen
= routes with the same messages, for fea
i ! that if one were dispatched the letter woul
: not reach It's destination. After dismissiD
> the other two soldiers my comrades and
remained to receive our instructions. Whe
; all was ready and We were aboat to mouL
d our horses, Napoleon said: Il think til
3: boy viii arrive first though his route
z nine miles longer" Such encouragin
! words from the emperor CT France fa1.i
y set NE wild, and ! resolved to hand II
q packet Of letters to Josephine before III
{: companion. though 1 should fall dead
I, the feet of the lady the moment aft;
$ doing SO.
$ II securely placed my package in a be
i around my waist. The only food I too
4 was some crackers, few slices of be-
= and flask OF brandy, which slowed ava
> in my saddle bags. Upon receiving Il
;; word CO." Isprang lightly into the sat
c. die and dashed away, closely followed [
,e The other courier. l determined to ora
C, away from him before arriving at Il
It forks OF the road. Digging my spurs IN
= the horse 1 gave him the whip, and in
- few moments had the satisfaction Of seeiI
N him falling behind envelope1 in a cloud
% | dust. I mounted fresh horse eve
W twelve miles along the road, which we
2 =
rs special use of the governments courier
: For sixty hours l rode along in this wa
II Though was very much fatigued I new
n gave up, for was determined to prove {
7t truth Of the emporcr'5 prophecy that
:. would arrive first. Night and day 1 sp
y along through The snOy and rain, with on
y one idea or ray mind, and that vas TO "
- the race. TIE distance = over 900 mill
ogo l.zuasad TO get 10 Paris enc fUIl no
ahead % every competitor. Arriving
J0seFhjnl's mcnsion,w which wG5 seven tli
..r outside of the city. was Immediately u-
IT, cred into her reception pa-Ior, thougt
nv vas covered with mud from head to 10
be- The noble lady graciously took from q
hand the letter, and With simple 'Ehai
yoU,' turned away and departed. The 81
peror caused a message TO be conveyed
me rendering his sincere thanks for wha
y had done.'