The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1912-10-17
The Boy
Commanded.
WEEKLY SHORT STORY

and before he had become known t.
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 wrap to keep off the water
so that no evidence of his rank was
visible. A young lieutenant who came
from converging road rode up along
side the general and, since they were
going the same way, began to chat
t es;;h him.
1.-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 it's
general"
do you think this young Bonaparte
will inspire this army?"
THAT remains to be SEEN"
"They say he's nothing but boy
no older than you or me. Why did the
directory send such a young chap to
command men, | wonder? I've heard
Barros did it,
Indeed! Barros is leader in the di-
rectory believe"
my father, who is in Paris, wrote
me that"
did your father say why Barros
sent young chap to command men?
Eyes, but that's secret"
Nothing is a secret that one person
has got hold Of"
Anyway, my father says it's Sc
cret. He got it from one who knows. +"
Come, what is this that you and
your father and the one who knows
are keeping SO quiet?'
"All l can say is that Barros gave
Bonaparte the command of this army
on condition that he marry a certain
woman
THAT will do. l see your secret is,
scandal. l have no use for that What
else do you know about General Bona
parte?'
Nothing else l understand he has
been doing some good work at Toulon,
though nothing that would entitle him
to the command of this army. 1t must
be calling to the generals who have
been so long commanders to be over
topped by one who has jumped almost
from the, ranks. | understood that A.
said to one of the others soon after
Bonaparte's arrival, This fellow is a
mere boy but he's our MASTER"
Did A. Say that?"
Il 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 lieuten-
ant 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
a glance at the former.
"That young fellow" unused the lieu
tenant as he logged on, has a strong
face. l wonder who he is. ! didn't
think to ask him even his rank. I've a
mind to rejoin him and find out
He turned and galloped after Napo-
oeln.
II say, l have been much pleased to
meet you. neglected to give you my
name. am Lieutenant Jardinier of
be Eighty Of the line I will
v'be happy to see you in my tent. if you
are any time riding my way"
THANK you, but am very busy just
now. l fear shall not have time"
"Oh, no subaltern can be a busy
man. I'm not busy Ride over some
day have just received a case of
wine from home. Well have a bottle
"And have just arrived from Paris.
brought full supply
you have just come from Paris?'
Eyes"
Been on leave?"
mo; have come to this army for
the first time"
Just received your commission
Eyes"