Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-06-03
NAPOLEON's COURIER.

Il once enjoyed the high honor of
carrying letters from the Emperor Ma
poleon to Josephine" remarked Charles
Martel, a French wig maker of Phila-
delphia. Mr.. Martel, a venerable look
ing gentleman, who is In his S4th year,
feels very proad of the service rendered
his commander on that occasion. When
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 to
him.
Mr.. Martel seemed rather disposed TO
svade the interrogatories of the visitor
ut first, bat he was eventually prevailed
upon to tell the story.
The Emperor WAS advancing upon
Moscow at the time | speak of, which
was in the early part of the year 1872"
Mr.. Martel began. "Ths army had ar
rived at Warsaw when Napoleon issued
an order for a courier TO instantly set
out for France. | was but ID years of
age at the time, and was drummer boy
in the Fourth Regiment of Hussars.
Our general came TO me, knowing | was
a good horseman, 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 recommended by their
respective generals to act as eouriers.
His Excellency had summoned the four
of US, in order to see for himself and
make his own selection. When | en-
tered the camp Napoleon smiled, and.
turning to my general, asked: Do you
think the boy will dol? Though | was
only a lad, and knew nothing of the con
templated mission beyond the fact that
there was long distance to be covered
on horseback, l was ambitious TO be Sc
lected. You may imagine how my heart
leaped when my superior wildly re-
counted to the Emperor the tricks he
had seen me perform with several of
the cavalrymen's horses. had learned
to ride well, and even at the age of Is |
could manage horse as well as auybo-
DIV. Napoleon appeared somewhat pleas
ed at the recommendation of my gen.
eral, and remarked, He will do He
then selected another man, much older
than / was, because at the time il was
customary to send two couriers by differ
emit routes with the same messages, for
kcal t1hN u OhC WtAb 0tHkttSSGCN&
the letter would not reach lis destina-
ton. After Diminishing the other two
soldiers my comrade and | remained to
receive our instructions. When all was
ready and We were about To mount or
horses Napoleon said:
80 think the boy will arrive first,
though his route Is nine miles longer
"Such encouraging words from the
Emperor of France fairly set me wild,
and / resolved 10 hand my packet OF
letters to Josephine before my COM
panion. though / should fall dead at
the feet of the lady the moment after
doing so. ,
- securely placed my package in q
belt around my waist. The only food l
took was some crackers. few slices of
beef and flask of brandy which stoweo
away in my saddle bags. Upon rsceiv-
ing tie word Gor ! sprarg lightly into
the saddle and dashed away. closely fol-
lowed by the other courier. l deter
mined 10 draw away from him before
arriving at the forks of the Eossd. Dig
ging nv spurs into the horse | gave hiE'
the whip, and IL few moments had
the satisfaction Of seeing him falling
behind enyelopsd IN a cloud OF dust.
mounted fresh horse every twelve Eailes
along the road. which we're kept IL The
government stables for the especial use
of the government courleES- For sixty
hours rode along IN thls way. Though
/ vas very much farlgued neTeF gave
up. for | was determined 10 prove the
truth of the Emperor's propLesy that
would arrive firsf- Night and day sped
along through the snow and raEis, VIII
only ope idea on my mind. and that was
10 win the race. The distance Was over
500 miles, bat managed 10 get to Paris
one full hour ahead of my composition
Arriving at Josephine's mansion, whsct
was seven miles outside OF tbs city,
was Immediately sshered iato her recep
ton parior. though was covered xita
mud from head TO foot. The noble ladi
graciously took from lny hand the let
ter. and, with simple Thank YOU,
itassed away and departed. ihs Kun
z caused mess 20 10 be eonveye<
rendering his sincere thanks 10
i had DONE