Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-11-09
THE EMPERORS PAGE;

THE EMPERORS PAGE;
Or, A MIDNioHr's ADVENTURE IN PARIS.
al saw the lover wandering by
With wan cold check and nerveiess air;
lie pressed her heart, heard him sigh,
On! What wild thoughts were gathering there"
Twas past midnight, as an individual,
closely mullled in dark military cloak, was
rapidly passing through one Of the most un-
frequented streets of Paris. II was a black
night, not a star being visible in the clouded
heavens, circumstance which seemed suit
ed to the purpose of the pedestrian, whose
person, and hasty movement,
pretty plainly indicated his wish to gain his
destination unobserved. Suddenly, how
ever, his progress was arrested by the hand
of youth, who emerged from the OBSCURE
ty of portal, and held pistol to the pedes.
TRANS head, and demanded money
'Psha,' cried the pedestrian, endeavoring
to shake off his new acquaintance, Away,
and don't detain me =
u must have goldr cried the phrenized
youth. my miseries have maddened me!
Refuse me, and this pistol sends bullet
through Jour head
The other, perccivifg his danger, sudden
ly disencumbered his right arm OF his cloak,
and with the velocity of lightning, laid the
assailant PROSTATE. He then passed on;
but suddenly, retracing his steps towards
the PROSTATE robber, he raised him from the
ground, and dragging him for some PAGES
towards a lamp which cast dim religious
light over brief part of the scene, he ex-
oil ,p,aI A ka II o,,,c na.oaa,,,D
'Am discovered ! exclaimed the youth,
and falling at the feet of the other, who
again drew his cloak over the lower part of
his face, he calculated, DO not, do not be-
tray mel
Sir replied the other, 'my duty to the
Emperor will compel me to disclose this
atrocity.'
You will ruin me by so doing forever !!
Hear me, sir, hear my melancholy tale, and
then say if | am not deserving of your pity.
Since have had the honor to be in the
Emperor's service, the whole of my salary
has been dedicated to the support of my poor
and aged mother. For three years have
been the sole prop of her weary life; she
has no other hope but me and heaven. !
have brought comfort and Joy again into her
humble dwelling; she was reduced penury
and wretchedncss; my father had died in
insolvent circumstances and my dear mother
was too aged to work for substinence. |
endeavored to gain work, but'in vain. Day
after day / trod the streets of Paris, and
with all the earnestness of ruin, besought--
implored employment; but there was no
cordial drop in my cup of misery, and at
length set down in the garden of the Tul-
leries, hopeless and despairing. contem-
plated suicide; the thought Of leaving my
dear parent desolate, alone chained me,to
| life but even that thought was becoming
overwhelmed by my despair, when our good
Emperor passed me. He was struck with
my haggard looks; he questioned me-in.
quired into the truth of my story, and then,
in the benevolence Of his good heart, took
me into his suite. He saved me from des-
pair, and brought smiling JOY again into the
widows humble home.'
'And you have repaid his Kindness OBJ
served the stranger, 'by becoming mid
night robber.'
'No-no,' hurriedly exclaimed the youth,
Il am no common robber. Heaven is my
witness that until this night-but hear my
story out.-Among the tradesmen who sup
| ply the palace, there is one having daugh-
ter, whose charms made an impression up.
on my heart, which reason could not dispel.
Long did strive to master love, but in vain.
! struggled against the rising passion of
my heart, for the more | strove to master
the bewildering passion, the fercer did it
burn. We met. / told my love--I found
it was returned--and disdaining any con-
cealment, | openly avowed 10 the maiden's
father my attachment to his daughter but
he, in all the pride and insolence of wealth,
spurned my humble suit, and told me that
till the Emperor made me north having, his
daughter should not think of me |! Seeing
that his child's inclinations turned towards
me, he introduced a wealthy sutton, and in.
sisted upon her wedding him. cannot vie
with my rival he lavishes gold and gems