The Washington herald., 1914-06-21

are mostly fair and always picturesque
OF Berthier, his chief of star IN even
campaign except that of Waterloo. hs
said, i found him goose and made him
an eagle Yet Berthier was a seasoned
soldier before his chief ever saw bat.
tie. having been q lieutenant on the stah
Of Rochambeau m the American War Of
Independence, and Lafayette's assistant
quartermaster general in the national
guard OF France Some wise skeptics ac-
counted for the wonderful victories In the
first italian campaign by credlting them
to me veteran chief Of stan Of the hith-
erto unknown general-in-chief. But Ma
poleon laughed at the absurdity of the
thing and remarked to Bourrienne. You
see what blockhead Berthier is
Nevertheless he held on to that block
head, Berthiers mechanical mind serv-
ing him as a card index, his attentive ear
hand as a typewriter. With no thoughts
Of his own to distract him, the chief OF
stan caught the merest hint Of his mas
ter's thoughts, put them on 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 a
rolling carriage. II the Emperor was
pacing 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 80
much alone as with the silent, sympa-
thetic. obedient companion, whose pres
ence gave him fesr eyes and four hands
instead of two. g..
He grew SO fond Of him, indeed, that
his head shamed him for the weakness
Of his heart Disliking 70 be suspected
Of harboring anything soft In his bosom,
he excused himself to the cynical Tai
leyrand, saying, II do not indulge in use
less sentiments, and Berthier is so unin-
teresting that 1 do not know why I
should care about him at all. Yet. when
I think Of 1t. I really have some liking
for him." He was not ashamed, however.
to give the highest proofs Of his graft
tude to this unwearied and faithful yoke
mate, who was mot At to command 500
men," but whom he covered with favors,
making him a marshal and gifts aggre-
eating $4,000. Prince of Neufchatel and
Prince of Wagram, and vice constable
Of France, with fat annual revenues.
But he imposed one condition. The new
prince must give up Nine. 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;
It has become ridiculous and I have the
right to hope that he whom I have called
my companion-tn-arms, whom posterity
main any longer victim to such an un-
paralleled weakness. desire you there
fore to marry; otherwise will not see
you again"
For once. however, Berthier was dis
obedient- II was two years before love
yielded to duty and he suffered himself
to be married 70 q niece Of the King of
Bavaria. whereupon the Visconti's hus-
band died and the poor bridegroom walled
to think he had not waited a little longer
What a miserable man am T. Had
been more constant Nine. Viseonti would
now be my wife" His princess, however,
graciously proceeded herself to falI in,
and the trio were strangely happy to-
gether. 50 =
A Fourth aIuslSeterr.
OF Murat, the marshal upon whom he
said. Without me he was nothing; left
TO himself, he was an imbecile-' This
featherbrained Gascon, q fourth muska-
teer for Dumas. q character ready made
for Daudet. who learned the most heI
ever knew Of the art of war riding horses
in the stable yard Of his fathers tavern.
was created grand admiral OF France.
taxes Of 10000 Germans TO spend. and
finally King Of Naples.
Running away from a seminary to-
which his parents had sent him to be
trained for the priesthood, he engraved
upon his blade the watchwords, Honor
and Ladies'" fought six duels in a month.
cut his way into Napoleon's family. cir
Gle. and to the throne Of a kingdom. Tall
ana handsome. the most superb figure on
horseback. and vain as a peacock. Murat
was no invisible hero In khaki butt
NJ &.