Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-03-02


of the Great soldiers Character. Which
Has Not Always Been Recognized.
Speaking of Napoleon's boyhood, one
who knows whereof he speaks says:
''In his school days the grand homme
gave many indications Of the very quail
tiles which procured for him the splen-
did success which has brought him ev-
erlasting fame. His love of discipline,
order and power was shown by the
manner in which he controlled his
schoolmates and constituted himself
their leader teaching them the art of
war in mimic battles, constructing forts
and battlements of snow Ill the play
ground in which many fierce engage
ment was fought and won, with snow
balls for cannon balls and ice pellets
for shot. 1t is recorded that he under
took to reform the laxity of the college
rules and regulations by addressing Il
letter to the junior master, indicating a
system that would do away with the
abuses, and that he applied these same
rules afterward to the schools of Fon
tainebleau, Saint Cyr and Saint Ger
main" According to recent writer on
one occasion he was directing perform
ance of the tragedy of CAESARS death
when the wife of the college porter en-
deayored to force her way into the as
sembly Oh the strength of her position,
but Napoleon made short work of her.
Remove this woman, he cried, "who
brings into our midst the license of
the camp, an order instantly obeyed
by his colleagues, much, it may be sup
posed, to the discontinue of the good
woman
That Napoleon was at heart great
poet there can be no doubt. Nine. Re-
musat relates that he was lover of
Ossian, was fond of the twilight and
melancholy music The murmur Of the
wind enraptured him, and he would di-
late enthusiastically on the moaning of
the sea and the wild beauty of the
tempest His powerful imagination
sought to grasp the unseen. He would
sometimes amuse himself, while passing
the evening in JOsephine's drawing
room, by telling or listening to ghost
stories while the candles were shaded
and the singers present executed music
of a low, sweet, weird description to
the accompaniment of stringed instru-
ments. Doubtless this gift of subtle
imagination led Napoleon to suspect
where it was unnecessary and look for
a motive in every action of those around
him. He believed all men liars until he
proved them otherwise He used to re-
late the story with great gustO that
when he was child one of his uncles
predicted of him that he would govern
the world, because he was an habitual
liar. OF M. de Metternich he once said,
HE approaches to being statesman, he
lies SO well!'
Napoleon life is an unending source
of inspiration to the painter. David,
Vernet, Scheffer, Steube and host of
others of his time have bequeathed to
us some of the great battles and Incl
dents of his career on undying canvas.
To each picture is attached some inter
esting story. During the Italian cam
paign Napoleon was one night survey
ing the battlefield of Bassano; the moon
illumined the sad scene of carnage; no
sound disturbed the deep silence save
the feeble groans of the dying and the
means Of the wounded. Suddenly dog
crept forward from dead body over
which he was keeping watch; the poor
animal retreated to his lfeless master,
and then again, as though reluctant to
abandon his efforts of reviving him,
yet DESTROYS of avenging his death
Napoleon was deeply touched by the
faithful friendship of the animal, who
would not forsake his master like his
human friends "What a lesson for
MANI cried Napoleon as he gazed on
the pathetic spectacle. So strong was
the impression made on his mind by
that midnight episode OF the battlefield
that after 25 years he related it when
banished to the rock of st. Helena.
Another instance of his real tender
ness for the suffering and oppressed was
during his Egyptian campaign. A poor
fellah had been murdered by tribe OF
Arabs who had entered with an armed
band into o village and driven OFF the
herds. Napoleon Immediately command
ed that company of dromedarles ana
horsemen should go i'll pursuit OF the
guilty party. One of the sheiks, sur
prised at the indignation of the emper-
or, observed that it would not be wise
for him to embroil himself with the
Arabs dangerous people, for the sake
of a miserable fellah. "Was he, them
thy cousin?" queried the sheik. More
than that" cried Napoleon, with We
hemence, "all those whom l command
are my children?
Again, at the plague of Jaffa, Napo,
leon visited the hospital and endeavored