The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-26
TILE WIDOW.

"At the battle of Wagram Napoleon sent an or
der to one of his Marshals by his favorite aquerry
and d-dc-camp, General Durosne and suddenly
uttered cry he watched with his telescope through
the field He had seen Durosnc struck by bullet
and rolling in the dust
His death was the cause of mourning; he was
yet young, and by his intelligent galantry had ac-
quired the love and esteem of his comrades, as well
as the Emperor, who eulogizcd him i'll the bull
lctin.
But there was one being whose heart struck
by this fatal bullet; the young and loving widow,
whose visions ofparadsc were changed, iii a moment
to grief and despair.
Durosnel, as upright as brave, had nothing to
leave her her expectations of provisions rested
on the Emperor but all events she could no long
cr reside in Paris. Her father, therefore, came
from the country to fetch her, and preparations
were making for her departure, when about ten
davs after the news reached Paris, the" Empress
Josephine received a letter from the Emperor, i'll
which he said
"Durosncl is not killcd-hc is not even wounded
the bullet only struck his horse, let his Witc knOw
this"
The commission was not easy of execution. So
Injured is the poor human heart to every variety OF
suffering, that grief in any form cannot surprise it;
but joy-a Joy, that snachcs us at once from des-
pair to bliss oh! that must not be too rudely ad-
miniscrcd.
The Empress, knowing the effect the news must
have on Madame Durosnel, was in great perplexity
and mcdtaed going herself to her, when Lavalette
and his wife arrived to breakfast with her Majesty.
All heaven has sent YOU to my ald," she eX-
claimed.
Then explaining the whole affair, she impos-
cd the task on LavaIctte, and adding the caution
Of
"Tahe care what YOU are about, for you may
Kill her - she pushed him by the shoulders and
sent him to Madame Durosncl. The good-naturcd
Layalette gladly undertook to carry peace to an
afflicted bosom but jsst as he reacded the door, he
began to he staggered by the amount of happiness
his tdngs imported, and to comprehend the delica-
cy of his mission
"Diable 7" thought the ambassador, as he ascen-
ded the stairs, Il almost repent my hasty compli-
ance."
twas barely eleven o'clock an ill assorted hour
for "A visit, rs the father would probably have
limited but the Emprcss's name silcnced all objec-
tions and he was Immediately introduced into Mad
anne Durosncl's boudor; where she was seated on
sofa, silent and sorrowful, dressed IN weeds and
wcepcrs and all the mournful paraphcrnaia ofearly
widowhood. As he gazcd on her pale altered coun-
tcnance and the angushed eye raised to meet his,
he thought
"Thc Empress is right certainly shall kill
her"
He sat down beside her. but after the first saluta-
ton, had not a word to offer while Madame Duros-
mel, supposng he came to announce some favor
from the Emperor properly waited I'LL he should
open the conference. Finding him, however, OBJ
stinaety silent, she at length began with atremulous
voice
Her Majesty is douby gracious in condcsccn-
ding
I.avaletc started, as if suddenly aroused from a
dream.
Madame said he, "you are beginning to feel
consolation"
All. Sir :" was all the wretched mourner could
reply. and her face was instantly bathed IN tears
Deuce take it," lac inwardly exclaimed; - she
rcyrrts to her dispair, what can i do I!
And he began turning over every expedient TO pu
her on the scent: none appeared more likely than
cnquiring whether she believed IN ghosts Z
- Alas no Sir Would that could believe ano
see them" and her tears flowed aircsh.
la proportion as her grief interested hum, did the
pcrplcxv of her comorerincrease; but as something
must be done he at last devised tale of woman
buried in a trance, and recalled from the tomb by
the grave digger opening it with design otplunder
The story he related with all the acconpaniments o
romance. and dwelling with incflabc JOY of the he
roinc's family on recovering their beloved from the
Jaws Of death
nan ycar unusually large mud cn'irc'y s,'i--