THE BOY COMMANDER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3711, 21 December 1912, Page 24

THE BOY COMMANDER

(By R. Pemberton Slade.) When Napoleon took command of the army of Italy he was very young. One day soon after reaching his army and before he had become known to his troops, lie rode out alone to cast an eye over the contour of the country between him and his enemy. It was raining, and Napoleon wore over his uniform a wrap to keep off the water, so that no evidence of his rank was visible. A young lieutenant who came from a converging road, rode up alongside the general and, since they were going the same way, began to chat with him.

“The roads are execrable,” said the lieutenant. “I 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 inspiration of an army is derived from its general.” “Do you think this young Bona-par-te will inspire this army?” “That remains to be seen.”

“They say he’s nothing but a boyno older than you or me. Why did the directory send such a young chap to command men. I wonder? I : ve heard Barras did it.” “Indeed! Barras is leader in the directory, I believe.”

"My father, who is in Paris, wrote me that.” “Did your father say why Barras sent a young chap to command men?” “Yes. but ‘that’s a secret.” “Nothing is secret that one person has got hold of.” "Anyway, my father says it’s a secret. 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 I can say is that Barras gave Bonaparte the command of this army on condition that he married a certain woman.”

“That will do. I see your secret is scandal. I have no use for that. What else ’do you know about General Bonaparte ?” “Nothing else. I understand he has been doing some good work at Toulon, though nothing that would entitle him to the command of this army. It must be galling to the generals wlm have been so long commanders to be over-topped by one who has jumped almost from the ranks. I understand 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?” “I heard sod’ This put Napoleon, whose brow had been darkened while he pumped out the scandal about himself, in a better

Paris, brought a full supply.” “You have just come from Paris? ' “Yes.” “Been on leave?” "No: I have come to this army ror the first time.” “Just received your commission? ’ “Yes.” “Who is making the appointments now?”

“You must exeuse-me from further that at present; I must leave you.” And turning lys horse's head, Napoleon struck across a field. A few days later the army, marched past its new commander in review. As Lieutenant Jardinier raised his sword in salute his face become white as ashes. He recognised in the general-in-chief the “boy who had been sent by Barras cn condition that he marry a certain woman” to command men. Napoleon recognised him, but not by the slightest change of countenance did it appear that he had done so. The lieutenant gave himself up for lost-. When after the review he returned to his tent he found there an order from his chief to report in person at his headquarters the next morning. Napoleon never missed an opportunity to attach any one t-o him. Sometimes he worked through fear, sometimes through cupidity and sometimes by making a friend. At the beginning of Ins career he must needs choose the last of the three. He lectured the culprit roundly on repeating a scandal and dismissed him without any mark cf displeasure. The lieutenant afterwards became one _cr his generals ar.d was faithful to him till after Waterloo.

Young Wife (proudly): “Alfred always says there’s no cooking like mine.” Uncle Crusty (with a disdainful smile): “Does he? Well, he's about right there, poor chap.”

“Affection is blind,” said the readymade philosopher. “I know it,” replied Mr. Flingilt. “When it- comes right down to facts I know I’m a heap better looking tljan that bulldog my wife makes such a fuiss over.’’

“I see you have a pamphlet on your desk.” said the economist. “What do you think of it?” “'lt's betwixt and between,” answered the heartless friend. “It’s too light as an argument and not heavy enough for a paper-weight.” The Barber (after the shave): "Hair dyed, sir?” Customer (baldheaded): “Yes; it died about five years ago.”

“Do you have your shirts done up at a laundry?” asked . Brown. “I do,” replied Robinson, “and it requires only about three washings to do them up very exhaustively.’’

A railway contractor recently advertised for three hundred wooden sleepers. By return of post he received a letter from a neighboring clergyman, offering him the whole of liis congregation on reasonable terms. An American gentleman one evening at dinner happened to get a hair in his soup, and. raising it on his spoon, said to the waiter: “Pat, is this an Irish hair (hare)?” "Begora it is, sir,” said Pat, "but it took an Amerieau hound to catch him.”