The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-04-19
THE LEAD SOLDIER.


his large, dreamy eyes opened wide,
and, smiling, continued to direct his
diminutive army.
This was his sole enjoyment. More
earnest than the others, he worked all
day, even during the hour of recreation
When evening came, as recreation he
took the little soldiers from their boxes,
and, talking to them as he would to
human beings, he reviewed them.
One evening, after having worked
harder than usual. the young man sat
listlessly drilling his soldiers. He was
evidently tired AS he leaned on the
table he saw one of his lead soldiers
turn toward comrade and say these
words:
"It seems to me that the emperor is
very tired tonight. "
The young man started. He rubbed
his eyes, believing it to be dream but
no, he was wide awake.
''This is" thought he, "a hallucina-
tion."
And he put his soldiers, one by one,
into their boxes.
When the boxes were closed, he made
his way to his bed. He was about to re-
tire when he heard behind him tiny
voice murmur:
'The emperor is very tired tonight. :"
He turned around, but saw he was
alone
Vaguely frightened he said the three
words:
"Who has spokenP'
81, murmured little voice
'tWho are your
81 have no name. am very little
lead soldier"
The frightened young man looked at
the boxes Of soldiers scattered about on
the table and distinctly saw that one Of
the covers was moving.
He approached the table and spied
one of the soldiers standing upright on
a comrade and looking at him as he
made military bow. Then the young
fellow threw himself on his bed, wish
ing to see or hear no more. He thought
he was going crazy.
A few years later this young man was
made captain of the artillery.
At Toulon he fought the English,
distinguishing himself as one of the
bravest, astonishing his troops by his
daring and his science, amazing his su-
periors by his courage and his unfailing
designs. After several weeks Toulon
was taken. The victorious army entered
the city, and for the first time since the
campaign the young captain fell into
deep sleep.
He who always slept armed, he who
awakened at the slightest noise, slept
like this? 1t was because he knew his
work was accomplished; he had the
right to take moments rest. During
the night he dreamed that he was at
Brienne, playing with his little lead
soldiers, and he distinctly saw one of
them salute him in military style and
say:
1.-THE emperor is very tired tonight. "
The captain awoke, and, rubbing his
eyes, saw that it was broad daylight.
He arose, dressed and went out, dream
lily murmuring:
Emperor, emperor! Might it not be
possibleP Does the little lead soldier
speak truly?"
Then he heard tiny voice murmur
at his side:
1.-THE little lead soldier cannot be de-
oeived."
He turned in the direction whence
came the voice and saw, perched on a
pebble, tiny lead soldier saluting and
looking at him steadily.
In the next instant the apparition
vanished.
The pupil at Brienne, the captain at
Toulon, Napoleon Bonaparte, is en-
peror. He has been crowned this very
morning, and this evening he received
the ambassadors of other nations and
the generals of the armies. He is ex-
hausted.
Adjoining his superb reception room
is small cell furnished with a camp
bed and one chair.
Disdaining the grand bed of state, he
retires to his cell. There, at least, he
can sleep.
He falls asleep.
And now in a dream he sees his lead
soldier of old, who again murmurs
"The emperor is very tired tonight. "
The emperor starts. Then he asks:
"Who spoken"
81" says weak voice.
"Who are your
81 have no name. l am a tiny lead
SOLDIER"
The emperor reflects moment, then
suddenly says:
"You have no name. Do you want
one?'
~ do indeed, sire.''
Every well; you shall be called
L'Etoile. -
Good, sire. What shall I beP''
"You will be a soldier in my old
guard.
81 am pleased, sire. but what am I to
do?''
What are you to do?"
After moments reflection the en-
peror says:
eight, but say nothing"
Sire, - replies the lead soldier, 81
will fight and never speak. But wish
to warn you that, when about to die,
shall speak once more, but for the last
time. And shall say to you, what l
have always said, The emperor is very
tired tonight When / shall have said
that, will be at the point Of death and
you about to be vanquished.
The soldier ceased speaking. The en-
peror slept on, but dreamed no more.
A few days after while reviewing his
old guard the emperor remarked new
recruit. He wondered and asked who
the soldier was.
"Why, you know him, sire; he
brought me line signed by your hand
begging me to accept him in my regi-
ment.
The emperor, upset, approached the
soldier.
$50 you are called L Etoile?''
The soldier bowed his head as though
to say yes.
"Why do you not say yes? You can
speak.
The soldier shook his head, meaning
no. The emperor remembered, and, as
If dreaming, murmured;
"You are mutef"
The soldier bowed his head-yes. And
the emperor passed on and once more
asked himself if he were not dreaming.
The soldier, L'Etoile, fought like
lion on the battlefelds. He could never
be an officer, but he was made cheva-
lier of the order Of the Legion of Honor
and never was a cross more deservedly