A CHILD OF THE GRENADIERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1797, 30 April 1886, Page 24

A CHILD OF THE GRENADIERS.

T is perhaps two years ago since I was at the house of one of our most celebrated generals. It was during the evening, and although it was not a regular reception, several persons had called to pay their respects. We were seated around the fire, and were talking

familiarly when Monsieur Louis

Jacquot was announced. A young naval officer, of most distinguished presence, entered almost immediately. The singularity of his name contrasted so strangely with the elegance of his manners, and the reception accorded to him by the general and his wife was so affectionate, that the attention of all present was directed to him. This was followed by an .examination of his personal appearance, which was entirely favourable.

Indeed, M. Jacqviot was a handsome youngman of about twenty-tw.o. He had a dark complexion, probably heightened by exposure at sea, large dark eyes, and the frank, engaging manner of a brave boy. His dress was no less remarkable than his person. Alt hough it is difficult to make much of a display with a naval uniform, M. Jacquot had so straight and so fine a figure that it gave elegance to all he wore. Indeed, the fact really was, that this young officer had in himself something so interesting that an inspection of his appearance was agreeable, and quite distinct from the costume he wore, which, nevertheless, was in good style, except in one particular. Attached to his hat, which was black and lustrous, was an old cockade, much the worse for wear and tear.

The general saw that the attention of the company was directed to this, and he remarked upon it to his wife, who answered him by an amiable smile, and Monsieur Jacqnot, seeing tho movement, blushed fiercely. It was, however, neither the blush of shame nor of confusion that mounted to the young officer's chocks, but that of a. modest embarraiment. The general saw that he ,was troubled, and extending to him his hand said- -

"You are a brave fellow, Louis." The general's wife, also ga^e him her hand, which he kissed with respect and tenderness. .The little scone interested us all, but no one dreamed of asking for an explanation. Yet the arrival of this young man had interrupted the conversation, and no one felt able to resume it, when an old officer who had been silent all the evening suddenly spoke— "So this is your Jacquot, general, and this is the veritable cockade ? " _ And without waiting for a response, he took the hat from the young man's and looked at it attentively, as if he wished to caress it, and as he gazed upon it a teSr rolled down upon his moustache. This new incident excited the curiosity of all ; every one got up to examine the mysterious cockade, and several asked the general what signification it had. "Ah ! " said he, "itis a simple enough history." " It' is a magnificent history 1 " replied the old officer. "If the general would relate it you, I am sure you would be all moved to tears."

All entreated ; the general consented ; the young officer resigned himself to be the central point of attention ; and this is what we heard : —

" When the interview took place between Napoleon and Alexander, the former was anxious to show the latter the troops which had conquered him, so a grand review was ordered. Napoleon saw with pleasure the ranks of his Imperial Guard, when his atten» tion was drawn to a grenadier who had a terrible wound on his face, which extended from his forehead to the middle pf his cheek. Napoleon looked at him a moment with pride, then pointed him out to the Emperor Alexander, said—' What do you think of sol-

diers who can resist such wound* ! ' What do you think of the soldiers who have made them ? ' responded Alexander, with happy presence of mind.

" ' They are dead,' said the old grenadier with a grave voice, taking part in the conversation of the two most powerful monarchs of the world.

" Alexander, whose question had embarrassed Napoleon, said, with great courtesy — " ' Sire, you are everywhere a conqueror.' ' " ' The honour is due to my guard,' said Napoleon, making a gesture of thanks to his grenadier. " florae days after this review, Napoleon was walking in the quarters of his guard, thinking perhaps of the conquest of Spain, or perhaps of the old grenadier whose answer had relieved his embarrassment, when he saw the old man seated on a stone, one legcrossed over the other, making a little boy baby dance first on one foot, then on the other. The emperor stopped before him. •But the old soldier did not rise, he only said— "'Pardon, sire, but if 1 get up Jacuiot will cry out like one of the lifers of the King of Prussia, and that would probably annoy your majesty." "'You do well,' said Napoleon. 'So you oall him Jacques ? ' "'Yes, my emperor, Jacques, and as a pet name Jacquot.' " ' Is he your son ?'

" ' No, sire. His mother, a danseuse, was killed two months ago, and his father, an old soldier, died from the effects of a wound.'

" ' So you have adopted the child ? ' " Yes,'sire, I and my comrades. We found him by his dead mother's bed, raging like a cavalry officer afoot, with a stomach as empty as the coffers of the King of Spain. Then we. agreed to adopt the little fellow, and as I was the first to advise it 1 have have charge of his education.' " Napoleon looked a moment at the grenadier, who gravely continued his task of giving to Jacquot a "lesson in equilibrium, then said — " ' I owe you something, Jacques.' "'Me, my emperor? I have already received this cross at your hands.' " ' I owe you a return for your reply to the Emperor Alexander,' said Napoleon. " ' 1 only told him the honest truth. Has he complain 3d of me, sire ?' " * Assuredly no. But I intend to reward you. What do you wish ?' " 'Faith, sire, I need nothing. But it it is your wish, give instead something to this little one that will bring him luck.'

"Agreed," said the emperor. "Jacques arose, and with the child in his arms approached Napoleon, who looked in his pockets for a suitable keepsake to give the child. He only found some pieces of gold, which he put back, for it was never with money that he gained the hearts of his soldiers. A new search only brought forth some papers. At last, not knowing what to do, he took out his snuff box and offered it to the child.

"Jacques laughed and said— ' what nonsense ! To give a snuff box to a child that does not snuff."

"Before Napoleon could reply he iVlt, his liat being pulled, and saw the child had reached forward and clasped his little -h and on the cockade.

•"There, sire,' said the grenadier, 'the little one is wiser than both of us, he knows what he wants of your majesty !'

" • Ah, well,' replied the emperor, ' ha shall have what he wants.' And graciously he took the cockade from his hat and gave it to the child, who danced in Jacques' arms.

"After this, Jacques made many campaigns ; he went to Paris, then to Madrid, returned to Vienna, went to Moscow, and finally accompanied Napoleon to the Island of Elba. Jacquot was also in every campaign, sometimes measuring his little steps with the great strides of the grenadiers, sometimes carried on the luggage vans, sometimes astride of a cannon. He had a little sword and a fatigue cap, and he played the fife capitally. Jacques, who loved and hoaoured Napoleon, taught Jacquot to do the same. To guard the precious cockade, the old grenadier had put it in a medallion and hung it around the boy's neck, telling him — ' Listen, Jacquot, you must say your prayers night and morning with this relic in your hands.' "This was noi.:.-, and fur eight years Jacquot knelt before his cockade, praying for his father Jacques and for the emperor. During these eight years France reached the height of her glory and power and was plunged into the deepest reverses. Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena, and the army was disbanded. Poor Jacques, with the others, was sent away with his treasuees, his cross, and his little Jacquot. _ Louis, who was about nine years old at this time, and who was beginning to understand misfortune, has since told me how brave was his adopted father. Often they were obliged to make forced marches, and here and there a soldier would fall from the ranks and die from hardships and fatigue. Jacques grew more Teeble every day. At last this weakness became so great that they two were forced to atop in a ruined hut, where the poor grenadier, in spite of his endurance, said : ' Jacquot, get me a little brandy or I shall die.' " The poor child wept bitterly, then he went to the roadside to beg for alms, but he got nothing. In very desperation, an idea came as an inspiration to him ; he fell on his knees, drew the medallion from his breast, and holding it in his clasped hands, cried aloud, 'My God, my God 1 give me a little brandy for my father, Jacques !' And this he repeated over and over again, only interrupted by his tears and sobs. At this moment a gentleman came up to Jacquot and asksd him the cause of his tears. The boy related his history, and finished by saying :

" ' Father Jacques forbade me to ever part with this cocade ; lie has told me it would protect me, that it was my fortune, and that I must protect it with my life ; but if you, monsieur, will give me a a sou to get cordial for my dear father Jacques you shall have the cockade.'

" The stranger, much moved by the child's apeal, said : "'The God whom thou hast implored ha&t

protected some of the old soldiers who love Franco. I am one, and willing to share what 1 have with a comrade. Lead mo to Jacques.' " '• This noble-hearted," cried the young naval oincer, interrupting the general's recital "this generous man took me in his arms, had Jacques carried to his chateau, and when he peacefully departed this life, our benefactor educated and cared for me as his own son, find every day since has loaded me wich favours."' And tears rolled down the glowing chocks of the young man. The general and hid wife extended to him their hands, and the general said : " You have nut finished the history, Louis ;* you have not said that I promised to return your cockade to you as soon as you should have gained your epaulettes ; and, Mi'iitis, 3"oii see lie wears it on his 'hat; for 'Ljmis was at the capture of Algiers, and his captain has reported his bravery. 1 ' At these words the general warmly embraced his adopted son. Indeed, we werj all much affected by the recital ; and I hoard the old officer murmur behind his moustache, " I said you would be all in tears."