| Show THE LEGION OF HONOR in 1810 that memorable year bear when rome amsterdam dantzic antwerp and paris paria were cities of the same proud empire napoleon had brought his hia young ung bride to brussels and was received wi with dt much enthusiasm and awl pomp on the morning after his hia arrival he reviewed the troops of the garrison of al at verte and as the different regiments passed remarked a j gre grenadier who bore the chevrons che of a sergeant j major tall and erect bis hil black eyes blazed like stars from a face bronzed by twenty campaigns which an enormous moustache rendered still more formidable or bizarre when the lines were rt formed reformed the emperor rode up tip to the regiment of grenadiers grena diers and called the sergeant to the front the heart of the old soldier beat high and his cheeks glowed 1 I have seen you before said napoleon your ybur name noel sire aire ay be he answered with a faltering voice voices were you not riot in the army of italy yes sire drummer at the bridge of arcole 1 l and you became a sergeant major at marengo diar Alar erigo I 1 but since 1 I have taken my share of all the great batties battles he had bad been distinguished for his bravery in several battle but his bis modesty had bad prevented his bis soliciting advancement and he had been overlooked in the promotions the emperor waved his bis hand band the grenadier returned to the ranks and napoleon spoke rapidly to the colonel for a few moments the quick glances of his eyes towards noel showing that he was talking of him the emperor recalled him to his hia side you have merited the thu cross of the legion of honor said be giving him one that he wore you are a brave man 3 the grenadier who at that moment stood between the emperor and colonel could not speak but his eyes said more than volumes napoleon made a sign the drums beat a roll there was a dead silence and the colonel turning toward the new knight who with trembling hands was placing his cross upon his breast said in a loud voice in the name of the emperor respect sergeant major noel as a lieutenant sub in your ranks 11 the regiment presented arms Noel seemed it in a dream and only the immovable features of the emperor prevented him blin from falling upon hla hia knees another sign was made the arums drums beat and again the colonel spoke in the name ot of the emperor respect sab lieutenant noel as lieutenant in your ranks 12 this thia new nearly overcame the grenadier hla hia k knees meer trembled hla hia eyes that had hai no been een moist for twenty years were were filled with tears earb ears and anti he was vainly endeavoring to stammer his bis thanks when he heard a third roll of the drums and the loud voice of the colonel in the name of the emperor respect lieutenant noel as a captain in your ranks after this promotion the emperor continued his bis review with that calm majestic air which none who beheld him ever fo forgot agot but noel bursting into a flood of tears fainted in the arms of the colonel while from the regiment came come a loud united shout of ale euc |
