Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-05-19
NAPOLEoN'S AMBITION.
Even as n Child He Was YearninE 1
BE n Commander.

| Even as n Child He Was YearninG TO
BE Commander.
Even as q child Napoleon Bonaparte
showed evidence OF the power which
was to make him one of the greatest
commanders that the world has ever
known His mother often told the fol-
lowing apecdote of his early boyhood;
he was, in fact, no more than eight
years old when it occurred;
zone night he was walking in our
garden meditatively. 1t was raining
violently His brothers had sought
shelter in the house, where they were
playing. knocked at the window sev-
eral times and made him signs to come
to me. He shrugged his shoulders
with an appearance of i'll humor and
continued his walk. He was drenched,
but he did not mind the storm and con-
tinued his walk, with his head uncoY-
cred and his eyes fixed on the ground
Sometimes he stopped before the little
fountain in the garden and appeared
to delight in seeing it run and to arrest
its precipitancy with his hand. Some
claps of thunder were heard, which
caused him n nervous shudder, but it
did not seem to be fear. He then cross
ed his arms over his chest and looked
at the heavens, courageously waiting
for another peal Of thunder. / sent my
servant to order him to come In. Ma
poleon said to him, with coldness, but
respectfully, Tell my mother that it
is warm and L am taking an airing
When the servant again entreated he
turned his back on him and quickened
his step. 1t was only when the storm
had ceased that he came in, wet to the
skin.
That was not right, my child l
said to him, You have disobeyed me-
~ could not help disobeying you,
he answered. 4 do not know what
kept me in the garden, but If / am TO
be soldier 1 must aceustom myself 10
l am n man
"'You are child, my son, and dis /.
obedient child. If you intend to be a 4
soldier you will learn that it is neces- !
sary for you 10 obey !
But l will command said he, With !
IA expression that made us laugh. !
Before you command | replied.
you will be compelled to obey, and for /.
long time When you enter the serv-
ice you will not be general
Gle advanced toward me, took my
hand il hts and pressed It, thus tacitIy
acknowledging that was right bur
not willing TO confess it. Already at
that age he was 50 proud.
"'What We're y9u thinking abouE
during your walkY said to him, while
1 pressed my lips to his wet hair
az do not know. 1 do not remem-
Der. I was thinking of great many
things. All, was endeaYoring 10 recol-
lect a dream had last night, d dream
that pleases me very muchl ! dreamed
that 1 was bishop. That is grand, is
it not? Do bishops go to the warsY
"'No, my child. That is expressly
Them
"'Then 1 will be q soldier when I
am no longer n child. At fifteen you
are no longer child, are you, motherT
"I think you are something of o
child still,'
"He paused q few moments and.
looking ON the ground, said, AT fifteen
will be man.
"He then freed himself from my
arms and ran into the garden"
&ddenduls.
Kwoter-HeI thinks he's still youth
'ul. Well, you know the old saying,
There's no fool like an old fool" /
Sewitt-Yes, and when an old fool dyes
IFS ~hiskers there's nobody fooled but | 1
he old fool l-philadeInbia presa