Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-22
THE LEAD SOLDIER.

1t was a little before the revolution.
At Brienne, attending the military
school, was a young man who amused
himself in the evenings by drilling lead
foot soldiers. Everybody laughed at
him, but, regardless of their mockery,
he took great delight in reviewing his
soldiers when ready for battle, and, ra-
diant, led them to imaginary victories.
His schoolmates called him fool and
enthusiast. He listened to them with
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 a comrade and say these
words:
cit seems to me that the emperor is
very tired tonight"
The young nan started. He rubbed
his eyes, believing it to be a dream but
no, he was wide awake.
"This is" thought he, "a h%allucina-
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 a 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 spoken?"
81" murmured a little voice.
"Who are you?"
81 have no name. I am a very little
lead soldier"
The frightened young man looked at
the boxes Of soldiers scattered about on
the table and distinctly saw that n Ut
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 a 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 wal
made captain Of the artillery.
At Toulon he fought the English,
distinguishing himself as one of thu
bravest, astonishing his troops by hi
daring and his science, amazing his su
periors by his courage and his unfailint
designs. After several weeks Toulol
was taken. The victorious army entered
the city, and for the first time since thu
campaign the young captain fell into
deep sleep.
He who always slept armed, he wht
awakened at the slightest noise, slep
like this? It was because he knew hi
work was accomplished; he had tn
right to take a moments rest. During
the night he dreamed that he was a
Brienne, playing with his little Leaf
soldiers, and he distinctly saw one 0
them salute him in a military style ant
say:
1.-THE emperor is very tired tonight.
The captain awoke, and, rubbing hi
eyes, saw that it was broad daylight
He arose, dressed and went out, dream
lily murmuring:
Emperor, emperor! Might it not b
possible? Does the little lead soldie
speak truly?"
Then he heard a tiny voice murmu
ut his side:
"The little lead soldier cannot be de
oeived."
He turned in the direction wheno
came the voice and saw, perched on
pebble, a tiny lead soldier saluting an
looking at him steadily.
In the next instant the apparitiol
vanished.
The pupil at Brienne, the captain 9
Toulon, Napoleon Bonaparte, is en-
peror. He has been crowned this yer
morning, and this evening he receive
the ambassadors Of other nations an
the generals of the armies. He is 9,
hausted.
Adjoining mis- superb reception ROOF
is q small cell furnished with a cam
bed and one chair.
, Disdaining the grand bed Of state, b
, retires to his cell. There, at least, b
! can sleep.
He falls asleep.
And now in a dream he sees his lea
soldier Of old, who again murmurs:
"The emperor is very tired tonight.
The emperor starts. Then be asks:
"Who spoken"
~" says a weak voice.
"Who are you?"
II have no name. ! am a tiny lea
soldier"
The emperor reflects a moment, the
suddenly says:
"You have no name. Do you wal
sne?"
~ do indeed, SIRE"
Very we'll; you shall be Gale
pEtoile."
"Good. sire. What shall ! bal"
= HN t