The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-03-08
The Price of Two Potatoes in 1905

The evening before the battle of Ulm,
when Napoleon |, in company with Mar
shal Berthier, was walking incogeito through
the camp and listening to the talk of his
soldiers, he saw in a group not far off an
Irishman, who was Grenadier, roasting
some potatoes before fire of red ashes.
"I should like roast potato above all
things" said the Emperor to the Marshal;
task the owner of them if he will sell
one."
In obedience to the order, Berthier ad-
vanced to the group and asked to whom
the potatoes belonged. The huge Irish
man stepped forward and said: They are
mine"
"Will you sell me one?" inquired Ber-
thier.
"I have only fve," said the Grenadier,
"and that's hardly enough for my supper" +"
~ will give you two Napoleons if you
will sell me one" continued Berthier.
II don't want your gold, said the Gren-
adler; n shall be killed, perhaps, to-mor-
row, and / don't want the enemy TO find
me with an empty stomach. :"
Berthier reported the soldiers answer to
Napoleon, who was standing little in the
background.
"Let's see if l shall be luckier than
you" said the latter, and going up close to
the Grenadier, he asked him if he would
sell him a potato.
"Not by long shot" answered the
Grenadier, ~ haven't enough for myself"
"But you may set your own price" said
Napoleon. "Come, I am hungry and haven't
eaten to-day
'I tell you I haven't enough for my
SELF" repeated the Grenadier." Besides
all that, do you think I don't know you,
in spite of your disguise ?''
"Who am l, then p inquired Napoleon.
"Bah p said the Grenadier, "The Little
Corporal, as they call him. Am l right"
''Well, said Napoleon, "since you know
me, will you sell me potato ?"
"No," said the Grenadier; "but if you
would have me come and dine with you
when we get back to Paris, you may sup
with me tonight"
'sDone," said Napoleon, "on the word of
a Little Corporal the word of an En-
peror.
"Well and good said the Grenadier.
"Our potatoes ought to be done by this
time; there are the two largest ones, and
the rest I'll eat myself.
''The Emperor sat down and ate his po-
tatoes, and then returning with Berthier to
his tent, merely remarking, "The rogue is
a good soldier, I'll wager"
Two months afterwards Napoleon the
Great was in the midst of brilliant court
at the Palace of the Tuilleries, and was
sitting down to dine, when word was brought
him that Grenadier was without, trying
to force the guard at the door, saying he
had been invited by his Majesty,
"Let him come in" said Napoleon.
The soldier entered, presented arms, and
said to the Emperor, ado you remember
once having supped with me off my roasted
potatoes ?"
"Oh, is that you? Yes, yes, l remem.
ber," said the Emperor; "and SO you have
come to dine with me, have you? Rus
tan, lay another cover on your table fol
this brave fellow"
Again the Grenadier presented arms
and said, ga Granadier of the Guards does
not eat with lackeys. Your Majesty tolC
me l should dine with you-that was the
bargain, and trusting to your word, l have
come hither."
''True, true" said the Emperor, ''lay q
cover near me; lay aside your arms, mou
ami, and draw up to the table
Dinner over, the Grenadier went at hi:
usual pace, took up his carbine, turning to
the Emperor, presented arms. "a mere
private" said he, sought not to dine at the
table of his Emperor"
"Ah, 1 understand you, said Napoleon
II name you Chevalier of the Legion Of
Honor, and Lieutenant in my company Of
Guards
"Thank you heartily" returned the sol
dier. "Vive rEmpereur," he shouted, and
then withdrew.
MMahon was the soldiers name, One
of his nephews played an important part III
French history later,