Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-09-10
NAPOLEON AND INNKEEPER.
A New Anecdote of the First Consul
of France.

A New Anecdote of the First Consul
OF France.
The following anecdote Of Napoleon
has been translated from the French OF
Tallement in the Sourrier des Etats-
Upis for the Springfield, (Mass.) Re-
publican:
Not far from Montfort-PAmaury and
near the ancient chateau Of Millemont
where De Polignac, minister of Charles
X, spent his last days in sullen retreat
is a little village called La-Quene-les-
Grenlines. The posthouse Of this village
was at one time celebrated. 1t was one
of the great relays Of France, the royal
messengers, chaises, coaches and mails
passing It day and night. number OF
inns f1anked the church square, among
which was one, famous for miles around
called 81 Ecu de France" and which
exists today. The first consul stopped
there in 1SO0 and I saw the place where
he sat, the hearth at which he warmed
himself. Nothing was changed. The
dust, where our steps left their imprint
was the same which the guides who ac'
companied Bonaparte had trod, and
perhaps to this very ring in the wal
his horses bride had been fastened.
On rainy autumn morning, horse
man rode at full speed into the court
yard Of this hostelry and Informed the
landlord that the first consul, who was
that day to visit the battlefield Of Trey
would dine and spend the night at the
Ecru de France. The host, struck with
astonishment, hastened to order his
dustiest bottles up from the cellar ano
his fattest chickens to the spit.
Just as the Angelus was tolling, q
young officer shivering and dripping
with rain, dismounted from his horse
came in to the fire blazing in the hearth
and demanded supper
II can give you only eggs anc
cheese" said M. Lancon, the innkeeper
But those chickens turning on the
spit?'
"They are for the first consul and his
suite"
In the face Of the unanswerable re-
Spouse, the officer was obliged to con-
tent himself with an omelet, bit OF
cheese and a bottle of sour wine, after
which frugal meal, as his clothes were
drying, he pointed to the chickens and
said, smiling:
"They look very thin?"
"They are like you, my little officer =
And the landlord added, looking hin
over scornfully. You are only skin ano
bones."
The interview continued in this strain
for a time until NJ. Lancon, proprietor
of the Ecru de France, vexed at the tar
diness of the first consul and fearing fol
his dinner, turned to airing his opinion
of Citizen Bonaparte. thereby making
not a few fairly caustic sallies.
"He thinks he can do anything, this
little Corsican!"
The officer, sitting at the fire on
projecting stone, used generally by tne
stable boys, listened.
my chickens will be spoiled on ac.
count of this"
He did not finish, for at that moment
a great noise Of horses and clanking sa-
bers was heard, sound Of many foot
steps running out to the horsemen, and
M. Lancon hurried to the threshold, hat
in hand, to await his visitors.
Bessieres, Junot, Beaunarnais, Duroc
a clamorous escort, burst upon him, In
terrogating in loud voices:
Have you not seen the first consul!
We lost track Of him on the wayne
went on ahead Of us"
Suddenly, silence The officer at the
fireplace had raised his head. 1t was
Bonapate.
Lancon, terrified and pale as death
dared not utter a word. But the first
consul, rising, took him laughingly by
the ear and said, good naturedly:
"Now, Master Lancon. serve your
chickens. I shall eat some to get fat
The hearthstone is still in existence.