Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-09-19
The Boy
Commander
By R. PEMBERTON sLADE

and before he had become known to
the troops he rode out alone to cast an
eye over the contour Of the country be
tween him and his enemy. 1t was
raining, and Napoleon wore over his
uniform a wrap to keep of the water.
so that no evidence Of his rank was
visible. A young lieutenant who came
from a converging road rode up along
side the general and, since they We're
going the same way, began to chat
with him.
THE roads are execrable," said the
lieutenant. II don't think Bonaparte
will get us out of this for some time
He can't get guns through the mud.
The feasibility OF roads depends
upon the energy Of those who desire
to go over them" replied Napoleon.
Some say that in armies it depends
on the persistence of the general"
Perhaps you are right The inspira-
ton of an army is derived from its
general"
DO you think this young Bonaparte
will inspire this army?"
They say hes nothing but a boy
no older than you or me- Why did
the directory send such a young chap
to command men. wonder2 Pve heard
Barros did it"
Indeed! Barros is leader in the di-
rectory, / believe"
MY father, who is in Paris. wrote
me that"
Did you father say why Barros sent
a young chap to command menT
Yes, but that's a secret"
Nothing is a secret that one person
has got hold of"
Anyway. my father says it's a Sc
cret He got 1t from one who knows"
Come what is this that you and
your father and the one who knows
are keeping so quiet?"
"All | can say is that Barros gave
Bonaparte the command of this army
on condition that he marry certain
woma1."
THAT will do | see your secret is
scandal have no use for that What
else do you know about General Bona.
partep
Nothing else. understand he has
been doing some good work at Toulon.
though nothing that would entitle him
20 the command of this army 1t must
be calling TO the generals who have
been 50 long commanders to be over
topped by one who has jumped almost
T1n nj I nnHnrsfnnA hOf
said TO one of the others soon after
Bonaparte's arrival. This fellow is a
mere boy, but he's our MASTER"
Did \. say that?"
II heard so"
This put Napoleon, whose brow had
been darkening while he pumped out
the scandal about himself. in a better
humor and, his road, diverging from
that Of his companion. he bid him good
morning politely and without any
acerbity in his manner The lieutenant
while riding beside his general had not
had much opportunity to inspect his
features Now that Napoleon faced
him for a moment the latter got
glance al the former
THAT young fellow" unused the lieu.
tenant as he logged on, has strong
face. / wonder who be is. didn't
think to ask him even his rank. I've
mind to rejoin him and find out"
He turned and galloped after Napo-
leon.
II say, l have been much pleased to
meet you. | neglected to give you my
name. | am Lieutenant Jardlnier Of
the Eighty-seventh of the line. will
be happy to see you in my tent If you
are any time riding my way"
THANK you, but ! am very busy just
now. fear | shall not have time"
"Oh, no subaltern can be a busy
man. Pm not busy Ride over some
day. l have just received a case of wine
from home Wen have a bottle"
And |, who have just arrived from
Paris, brought a full supply
you have just come from PARISH"
Yes"
Been on leave2"
mo; | have come to this army for
the first time"
Just received your commission?"
Yes"
WHO is making the appointments
nowT'
you must excuse me from further
chat at present; must leave you"
And, turning hts horses head. Ma
poleon struck across n field
a few days later the army marched
past its new commander in review. As
Lieutenant Jardinier raised his sword
in salute his face became white as
ashes. He recognized in the general |
in chief the boy who had been sent by |
Barros on condition that he marry a
certain woman" to command men. Ma |
poleon recognized him. but not by the
slightest change Of countenance did it |
appear that he had done so. The lieu. |
tenant gave himself UP for lost When 1
after the review he returned TO his |
tent he found there an order from his
chief 70 report in person at his head. |
quarters the next morning.
Napoleon never missed an opportu.
nifty 70 attach any one to him. some
times he worked through fear, some
times through crpidity and sometimes
by making q friend At the beginning