Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1896 — Mother-Wit. [ARTICLE]

Mother-Wit.

A pretty long list might be made of men who have owed their advancement in life to a smart answer given at the right moment One of Napoleon’s veterans, who survived his master many years, was wont to recount with great glee how he had once picked up the Hmperor’s cocked hat at a review, when the latter, not noticing that he was a private, said carelessly, 'Thank you, captain,” “In what regiment sire?” instantly asked the ready-witted soldier. Napoleon, perceiving his mistake, answered with a smile, “In my Guard, for I see you know liow to be prompt.” The newly made officer received his commission the next morning. A somewhat similar anecdote Is related of Marshal Suvoroff, who, when receiving a dispatch from the hands of a Russian sergeant .who had greatly distinguished himself on the Danube, attempted to confuse tlie messenger by a series of whimsical questions, but found him fully equal to the occasion. “How many fish are there in the sen?” asked Suvoroff. “All that are not caught yet,” was the answex*. “How far is it to the moon?” “Two of your excellency’s forced marches.” “What wbuld yon do If you saw your men giving way in battle?” “I’d tell them that there was a wagon-load of whisky Just behind the enemy’s line.” f Baffled at all the marshal ended with “What’s the difference between your colonel and myself?" \ “My colonel cannot make me a lieutenant, but your excellency has only to say the word.” “I say It now then,” answered Suvoroff—“and a right good office* you’ll be.”