The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07

THE emperor could not help smiling,
and said in a milder tone
Come, my good fellow, l have a prop
osition to make to you; if you will give
me half your potato, you shall come and
dine with me this evening.
What! Are you in earnest? Dine
with you for half of my potato? Ha! ha!
ha! Agreed; the proposal is a good one.
and / accept it. But, come l hope you
are not joking, and that you won't laugh
at me after having eaten my potato. Be
ware of that, for Bras de Fer is in
earnest
80 No, no. replied the emperor, laugh
ing. I pledge you my word.
" That's enough replied the grenadier,
quite delighted, at the same time giving
him half his potato, which he had fixed
on the point of his bayonet, and thus
handed it to the emperor who took it and
ate it, saying it was very good.
I'VE continued our march, and on the
road Napoleon asked us if we knew who
that queer fellow was or his name None
of us could give the desired information,
so the matter dropped.
In the evening, just as we We're sit
ting down to the table, a great noise was
heard in the ante-chamber, and many
voices speaking together in anger. The
emperor, surprised at this, inquired what
was the matter, when a servant came in,
saying there was an inSolent soldier out
side. all covered with mud and dirt, who,
having made his way as far as the ante
chamber, was inquiring if his majesty
was at dinner, and said that he had come
to dinner with him, on his invitation.
And, added the servant, when we
laughed at this and told him he could not
come in, he abused us, called us insolent
footmen, robbers, scamps and persisted
in his determination of seeing your mai
esty.'
at this information we most of us
laughed and reminded the emperor of his
mornings adventure. He Immediately or
dered him in.
Our hero entered in full marching cos
tune, and, presenting arms, marched
straight to the emperor, who was seated
at the center of the table, halted, pre-
scented arms like an orderly giving or re-
ceiving a report, and, looking the emperor
full in the face. said boldly:
Sire, here / am, Bras de Fer, grena
der in the Twelfth regiment of the line.
shared my breakfast with you on condi-
ton that | should dine with you. 1t was
your proposal, and l accepted it, After a
forced and rapid march. here l am, and as
every honest man keeps his word, / sup
pose you mean to-
Certainly, my man; you are right.
Here. Constant, take care of this brave
fellow, and give him a good dinner. Go.
my friend and my valet will take good
care of you
Bras de Fer knit black eyebrows. He
first looked at the emperor, and then with
q contemptuous sheer at his valet, who
was beckoning to him to follow. then look
ed round at us all. He stood as though
he was rooted to the spot
Come, grenadier,' cried the emperor
impatently, be off Go and dine with
Constant | have told you he will ltake
care of you
General answered the grenadier
firmly. 4 wear a uniform, and cannot
dine with Wallets.
II must confess that this noble answer
gratihed me. but I began to fear so bold
q reply might displease Napoleon In
fact, he turned in anger toward the grena-
der. who returned his glance without be-
traying fear or surprise. Napoleon, how
ever, soon recovered himself, changed his
| tone, and said:
You are right my brave fellow and
your opinion Is correct; put down your
musket, take Off your knapsack, and sit
down here by my side.
." That's right, replied the other,
That's what | call talking like an en-
peror.'
"He then made half turn, grounded his
musket like a sentry on duty, and as the
! servants FASTENED ofiiclously to assist him
in disineumbering himself of his ACQUIRE
ments, he said to them, loud enough to be
heard by all of US:
" BE off with you and let me acme
Having Invested himself Of his arms
and 80 forth, he advanced to the emperor,
and, raising his head to mis- forehead said:
" Your orders general
This sally created a loud laugh IN
which the emperor Joined. and II had the
effect of restoring him TO perfect good
| humor In the meantime a knife AMI
fork had been laid by the emperor's side.
Come and sit down, my comradc