THE MAN OF SEDAN'S ONLY JOKE

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 114, 10 November 1900, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE MAN OF SEDAN'S ONLY JOKE

In the early days of the Third Empire, (writes Mr. R. Belfort to the M.A.P.), the Chief of the Paris Omnibus Service was Baron X ; a tall, handsome, dashing fellow who was wonderfully fond of horses, driving, etc. Having once taken it into his head to di*ive a mail coach drawn, by six spanking horses, through the Ru& Royale and along the Champs Elysees, he , was discreetly notified that the Emperor alone was entitled to indulge in the truly Imperial luxury -of a six-horse equipage. '' ""Very good," said the Baron. "I will make otjier arrangements." x He kept his word. Snortly afterwards the Parisians were astounded to see the Baron gaily tooling along the Champs .Elysees on the identical mail coach, drawn by four very small horses and two very large donkeys. This so incensed the Imperial Court Authorities that the Master of, the Horse mentioned the matter to Napoleon, with whom the Baron was rather a favourite. " Let the Baron attend at my cabinet to-morrow at" eleven," said the Emperor. Punctually at eleven the intrepid sportsman was ushered into the Emperor's cabinet, where he was cordially received. After some general conversation, Napoleon said : "I hear, Bar oh, that' you are infringing Court etiquette by driving through Paris first with six horses and then with four horses and three donkeys?" " Only two donkeys, Sire," respectfully insinuated the Baron, who did not feel quite comfortable, despite his habitual audacity and. recklessness. " But there were three donkeys in the affair," insisted Napoleon. " Mille pardons, Sire, I fear your Majesty has been misinformed. Four horses and two donkeys." " But," said the Emperor, with a quizzical smile, "you forget the one on the box !" From that day forth the Baron contented himself with a more midest equipage. f