The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-05

too whom he had left behind. saw that
it was the horses life or his that must
be sacrificed. Well, 1 shot the horse"
"Of COURSE" cried Pierre; land the
Emperor complimented you on your pres
ence of mind did he not?'
MOI said La Sale, and his teeth como
together with a snap. II thought he would
have killed me on the spot when he learn
ed Of It, What was an orderly's life to
him compared to losing his favorite
charger? No-he fixed me with his cruel
eye and said"
well, lieutenant, how are YOU going to
pay for my dead horse?'
He knew 1 was poor-he knew every
thing, that terrible mani
II faltered out that l had nothing with
which to pay him"
Then you are discharged from the
service-a debtor to your EMPEROR he
cried hsrshly and turned away.
my commission was taken from me;
my sword was broken and l was turned
out; a pauper, homeless and without a
friend; for no man dared to side with
the poor victim of the great Napoleon's
wrath.
That's the. story of my disgrace,"
concluded La Sale.
THE Emperor's disgrace!' cried
Pierre. hotly. That's what I should
call MOIi pduNlG PGiNs
1t was shortly after this that there
came the news OF a great battle and a
great victory. If / remember rightly,
IL was the famous battle of Wagram,
or was 1t Jena? Then came rumors of
the return into France of Napoleon's tri-
umphant army These reports even reach
ed the ears of La Sale "pere ct fils."
"They are like to pass this wayF'
thought the boy one afternoon, as he
was splitting logs close by the mountain
stream. Then a great idea came to him.
"A bridget he cried. 1.-THE very thing
and toll from every mani The air was
sharp these days and the father because
of rheuma tism, contracted in the army,
was confined to his cottage, while his
sturdy son toiIed on with the ak.
Thou art working too hard, lad!'
said La Sale one night, as the boy came
In to supper, painting from some great
exertion. But Pierre shook his head and
said noNword.
The Emperor and his glittering staff
were marching across the open country
when the vanguard was seen to come 40
a halt by a roaming stream, and pres
emily an aide dashed up to Napoleon
and saluted, a merry twinkle In his eye
"If ID please Your Majesty" he said;
L0eTb a btiNbN JNos "hNNN'
and a young lad who says he built ID, de-
mands toll OF each OF us ere we may
cross"
A grim smile of humor appeared for an
instant In NapoIeon's eyes.
1--WE will talk to the lad ourselves" he
said, and putting spurs to his horse he
gallIoped on ahead.
Pierre Il was, who, with pale face and
set lips saluted the Emperor as he drew
rein beside him.
80 you refuse 10 let my soldiers over
without paying toll?" he said, with kind
ly indulgence.
Pray what would you do with the
money!"
PAY a debt my father owes" said
Pierre simply.
A pleased look spread over the Emper-
or's face.
Faith then my men shall pay toll
every man Of them. and I'll stand by
to see that none fall" he cried. pleased
as a boy over the novelty OF the thing.
The order went forth and one by one
the mighty horde rode over the frail
bridge OF split logs; and each as he pass
ed dropped a coin into the outstretched
cap OF Pierre La Sale.
The boys arm ached with the weight
before the last u.an had passed.
Then Pierre approached Napoleon and
held up the overlooking cap
Il am Pierre La Sale, son Of Lisuten-
ant Ia Sale, formerly in your maieaty's