The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21
From a Goose to an Eagle

From Goose to an Eagle
The Emperor's own estimates of them
are mostly fair and always picturesque
OF Berthier. his chief of staff in every
campaign except that of Waterloo, he
said Il found him a goose and made
him an eagle" Yet Berther was sea
soned soldier before his chief ever saw
a battle, having been a lieutenant on
the staff of Rochambeau in the Amer
lean war of independence and LaFay-
cites assistant quartermaster general
in the National Guard of France Some
wise sceptics accounted for the wonder
full victories in the first Italian cam
paign by crediting them to the veteran
chief of staff of the hitherto unknown
general-in-chief But Napoleon laughed
at the absurdity of the thing and re-
marked to Bourrienne. you see what a
blockhead Berthier is
Nevertheless he held on to that block
head. Berthiers mechanical mind serv-
ing him as card index his attentive
ear as dictagraph and his tireless right
hand as a typewriter. With no thoughts
of his own to distract him. the chief of
staff caught the merest hint of his mas
ter's thoughts, put them or paper and
communicated them to the army In terms
that could not be misunderstood
They stood side by side in battles they
rode all over Europe together Berthier
writing with ease in the saddle. or in
FOlllnS carriage. II the emperor WAS
packing back and forth by his campfire,
thinking out the problems of the next
day, no one but Berthier was permitted
to approach him even to lay a fresh
fagot on the Goals, for he never was
much alone with the silent, SYM
pathetic, obedienr companion Whose
presence gave him four eyes and tour
hands instead of two.
He grew so fond of him, indeed that
his head shamed him for the weakness
of his heart. Disliling to be suspected
of harboring anything soft in his bosom,
he excused himself to the cynical Tai
leyrand, saying, Il do not indulge in
useless sentiments. and Berther is so
embarrassing that | do not know why
l should care about him at all Yet,
when | think of 1t, | really have some
liking for him" He was not ashamed,
however, to give the highest proofs Of
his gratitude to this unwearied and
faithful yokemate, who was not fit to
mmand 500 men, but whom he coy
cred with favors, making him marshal
and gifts aggregating 100000 Prince of
Neufchatel and Prince of Wagrann, and
vice constable of France. with fat an
nual revenues.
But he imposed one condition The
new prince must give up Mms. Visconti.
for whom he had sighed like furnace in
Egypt, and in every absence on cam
paigns. All the gifts with which his
grateful chief had loaded him he had
straightway laid at the feet of that
grass widow, and now the Emperor
commanded him: "Your passion has
lasted too long: 1t has become ridiculous
and l have the right to hope that he
whom | have called my companion-n-
arms, whom posterity will always place
beside me- will not remain any longer a
victim to such an unparalleled weak
fDro n yT1ar
otherwise | will not see you again.
For once, however, Berthier was dis
obedient 1t was two years before love
yielded to duty and he suffered himself
to be married to a niece OF the King OF
Bavaria, whereupon the Visconti's hus-
band died and the poor BRIDEGROOM
walled to think that he had not waited
little longer. What miserable man am
I! Had I been more constant Mme Wis
cont would now be my wife Isis
princess. however, graciously proceeded
herself to fall in love with ner nus
bands old sweetheart and the trio were
strangely happy together.
A Fourth Musketeer
Or Murat, the marshal upon whom ne
heaped the richest rewards, Napoleon
said. without me he was nothing; left
to himself, he was an imbecile. This
1eatnerbrained Gascon, a fourth m'1ske-
teer for Dumas. character ready l'ade
for Daubet, who learned the mo- he
ever knew Of the art of war riding
horses in the stable yard of his father 9
tavern, was created Grand Admiral of
France. Grand Duke of Berg and
Cleves. with the taxes OF 100000 Ger
mans to spend, and finally King of Ma
pies.
Running away from the seminary to
which his parents had sent him to be
trained FOR the priesthood. he engraved
upon his blade the watchwords. Honor
end Ladies" fought six duels IN A
month. cut his way into Napoleon' >
family circle. and to the throne Of 4