The Colfax chronicle., 1890-05-03
ON THE cHEss-BoARD.
That II where the Great Napoleon
planned All His Battles.

That 10 Wner0 tuo Usoes ~'-r~-
Planned All His Battles.
Perhaps an incident which Will toll
you may interest the lovers OF chess
throughout the land. One night In the
winter of the year 1853 there was gath
erred around a red-hot stove in the book
store of John 8. Bradford, in Springfield,
III. a coterie of young men, all OF whom
in after years became more or less
famous. The subject Of their conversa-
ton was the great series Of chess games
then in progress between the English
and American champions. The party |
was composed of s. M. Cullom, then
young attorney in Springfield, now
United States Senator; John 5. Brad
ford, proprietor of the store, afterward
appointed by Abraham Lincoln Commis-
sary Sergeant for Illinois during the
rebellion; DIR. Merriman, who was then
and for years past had been the liking
bee" among those ''chess players OF
the State; w. L. Gookins, young jew
eler, who is still in the same busi-
ness and now living at Oak Park,
ILL.,, and the usual contingent OF
society ever to be found around .
cheerful fire in popular store. Merri-
man was talking, and the subject was
chess. With open mouth and itching
ear the crowd listened to the king
bees" exposition of the game, mentally
banking his money on the prophecies OF
Merrimau as to the outcome of the in
ternational contests. Suddenly the door
opened and in stepped man whose ap-
pearance was remarkable. All present
had seen him on the streets OF Spring
field. but mono knew who he was. lie
was six feet four inches tall, Straight as
an arrow with military bearing that
made his immense height appear even
greater, sabre-scars across the forehead,
cheek and neck, high cheek-bones, side
whiskers clipped close after the mill
tary fashion, surrounding his whole
bearing the appearance of great age not
withstanding his warlike form, and
crowning all nose-well, such nose
as the world has not seen since the days
of that old Roman
ssWho had nose both strong and stout
With stnse enough to push 1t out.
His entrance but momentarily stopped
the speech of Merriman, who, by the
way, was . fine player and deserved the
reputation he enjoyed. When Merri
man finished the keen eyes of the old
fellow twinkled, and, rising to his full
height, he stalked over to Merriman
and raising his long arm toward thu
ceiling he said: "Comrade, you DO no
know the first principles Of chess. II
prove what say, If you will come owe
to the American House tomorrow nigh
and como to room IL will teach you
few moves in the game of which yo'
never dreamed" Adding for Merrimal
to bring his friends, he departed. III
bows chafed Merriman over the insult,
but finally prevailed upon him to g
over and meet the mysterious soldier
Accordingly the next night all repaire
TO room II, and Merriman sat down
the game with blood in his eye. Tn
old fellow, however, checkmated hiI
before he had time to collect NJ
thoughts, and in FIVE consecutive game
never allowed him to make more tha
seven moves Merriman acknowledge
his total defeat, and, rising to his fee
said: eI would like to know whom
have the honor to address," The o.
fellow quietly said: II am Teminosk
chief of the body-guard to Napoleo
Every battle the great chief fought wi
planned ON the chess-board and l WI
his chosen antagonist"
learned these facts from an eye-wl
ness, and can further corroborate the
in that my grandfather, who knew tn
old warrior we'll and had entertain'
MIN at his house, says he was in Sprin
field, ILL.,, in 1s5s.-Chicago Tribune.