The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-28
A SHABBY TRICK.
How BOnaparte Got Rid of an Obnoxious
Friend.


Friend
From Bourrienne's Memoirs.
Aware of the unceremonious candor of his
old comrade, whose daring spirit he knew
would prompt him to go to as great lengths in
civil affairs the field of battle, Bonapsrte,
on the great occasion of the Eighteenth Brum-
are, fearing his reproaches, had given him the
command of Paris in order to insure his alb
sence from St. Cloud. After that time not
outstanding the continually growing great.
ness of the first consul, which. as 1t increased,
daily eXacted more Difference, Lannes still pre-
served his freedom of speech, and was the only
one who dared to treat Bonaparte as a comrade,
and tell him the truth without ceremony. This
was enough to determine Napoleon to rid him
self of the presence of Lannes. But under
what pretext was the absence of the conquerer
of Montebelle to be procured? 1t was neces-
sary to conJure uO an excuse and in the truly
diaboiCal machination reSorted TO for that pur-
pose, Bonapart brought into play that crafty
disposition for which he was so remarkable.
Lannes, who never looked forwarded to the
morrow, was as careless OF his money as of his
blood. Poor officers and soldiers partook large
ly of his liberality Thus he had no fortune
but plenty of debts. When he wanted money,
and this was not seldom, he used to come, as if
it was mere matter of course, to ask it of the
first consul, who, must confess, never refused
him.
Bonaparte, though he well knew the gener-
als circumstances, said to him one day, "My
friend, you should attend little more to APP
pearances. You must have your establishment
suitable to your rank. There is the Hotel de
Noailles, why don't you take it, and furnish 1t
in proper style?" Lannes, whose own candor
prevented him from suspecting the artful de-
signs of others, followed the advice of the first
consul. The Hotel de Noailles was taken and
superbly fitted up. Odiot supplied a service of
plate valued at 100000 francs.
General Lannes having thus conformed to
the wishes OF Bonaparte came to him and re-
quested 400 200 francs, the amount of the ex-
penses incurred, as it were, by this order.
But" said the first consul, az have no
money"
"You have no money! What the devil am
/ to do, then 2"
But is there none in the Guards chest (?
Take what you require, and We will settle it
hereafter"
Mistrusting nothing Lannes went to the
treasurer of the Guards, who made some OBJ
Jections at first to the advance required, but
who soon yielded on learning that the demand
was made with the consent of the first consul.
Within tWenty-four hours after LanneS had
obtained the 100000 francs, the treasurer re-
ceived from the head cOmmissary an order to
balance his accounts. The receipt for the i00,-
coo francs advanced to IIannes was not acknowl-
edged as a voucher In vain the treasurer al
lodged the authority OF the first consul for the
transaction. Napoleon's memory had sudden
ly failed him; he had entirely forgotten all
about it. In word, it was incumbent on
Lannes to refund the 100000 francs to the
Guards chest, and, as have already said, he
had no property on earth, but debts in abund-
ance.
He repaired to General LefebYre, who loved
him as his son, and to him he related all that
had passed.
"Simpleton!" said Lefebvre. "Why did you
not come TO me? Why did you go and get into
debt with that? Well, here are the 400, 600
francs; take them to him, and let HIM go TO
the deYil"
Lannes fastened to the first consul:
What" he exclaimed, sis it possible you
can be guilty Of such baseness as this? To treat
me in such q manner TO Law such a foul
snare for me after all that have done for you
after all the blood that have shed to promote
your ambition! Is this the recompense you
had in store for me? You forget the 18th Ven
demiaire, to the success of which | contributed
more than you! You forget Millesime; I was
colonel before you! For whom did / fight at
Bassane? You were witness Of what l did at
Lodi and at Goyernele, where l was wounded /;
and yet you play me such trick as this! But
for me you would have lost the battle at Ma
rengo. | alone, yes, l alone, passed the Pc, at
Montebelle, with my division. You gave the
credit of that to Berther, who was not there
and this is my reward-humiliation This can
not, this shall not be. l will"
Bonaparte, pale with anger, listened without
stirring, and Iannes was on the point of chal-
longing him when Janet who heard the uproar,
hastily entered. The unexpected presence of
this general somewhat treasured the first con-
sui and at the same time Gained in some de-
gree the fury Of Lannes
well" said Bonaparte. Ego to Lisbon You
will get money there; and when you return
you viii not want any one to pay your debts
for you"
Thus was Bonaparto's object gained.
Launes set out for Lisbon and never after
ward annoyed the first consul by his famil-
iarites.