The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-05-31
THE EMPRESS OF FRANCE

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When . few centuries shall have thrown
their shadows upon the strange fortunes of
Napoleon, and given to every thing about
him the tinge Of romance, the story of his
first wife win seem to the student rather
fable than fact; he will look upon her as
I'VE look upon Mary of Scotland, but with a
deeper :nteresHfor she, far more truly than
her lord, was fpm first to last, the child of
destiny.
Told, while yet unmarried, that she
would be wife, a widow, and a Queen of
France, the entire fulfilment of the first part
OF the prophecy gave her courage to believe
IN the last part also when under sentence Of
death. When her bed was taken from under
her, because she was to die in the morning,
she told her weeping trends that was not so;
that she should sit upon throne on the ruins
of which Robespiere then stood triumphant;
and when asked in mockery to choose her
maids Of honor, since she was to be Queen,
she did choose them, and they were her
maids Of honor, when half of Europe looked
up to her. On that night which was to have
been her last on earth, Robesplere fell. !
Had he fallen few days earlier, her first
husband would have lived; mad he fallen
one day later, Josephine would have been
among the ten thousand victims whose names
we have never heard. But he fell on that
night, and her destiny was accomplished.
She married Napoleon, and through her,
her husband was appointed to the army of
Italy,. Step by step, they rose, till at last
the crown rested upon her head; the second
part of the prophecy was proved true, and
she began to. look forward to that loss of
power and rank, which had also been fore
told, and which was to close the strange
drama of her life.
Il And he that had welded the child of des-
tiny, grew every day more strong and more
1 grasping. In vain did Josephine attempt to
4 rule his ambition, and chasten his aims; he
was an emperor; he wished to found an en-
| pire, and by slow degrees he made himself
familiar with the though. of putting her
way. When the campaign Of 1909 was at
an end, hardened and narrowed, the General
came back to his wife. His former kind
ness was gone; his pIayfulness was checked;
he consulted her but. seldom; and seldom
stole upon her private hours with that fami-
liar love that had so often made her leap
with joy. She saw that her hour drew nigh.
1t was the evening of the Goth of Novem-
Der, the court was at Paris in honor of the
King Of Saxony. Josephine sat at her win.
dow looking down the river, and musing on
the dark fate before her, when she heard
Napoleon's step at the door. She sprang te
open it, using her usual exclamation, e MO,
AMP He embraced her affectionately
and for a moment her fears and woes ap
peared in vain. She led him to chair
placed herself at his feet, and looking U,
into his face, smiled through her tears
"fou are unhappy, Josephine" said tn.
Emperor.
"Not with you, SIRE"
: Bahr' said Napoleon, quickly, "wh,
call me sire! These shows of state steal al
true JOY from us.'
"Then, why seek them?' answered 10
sephine.
The Emperor made no reply.
Il "You are now the first of men," she con
= tinued; "why not quit war, turn ambition
: out of your councils, bend your thoughts o.
= the good of France, and live at home amon
!" those who love you?''
"Josephine," said he, turning his fac
- from her, cit is not /, it is France demand
- the sacrifice"
4
=, wife. "Have you probed your heart to tn
= bottom? Is it not ambition that prompts yo
e to seek reasons for repudiating me? Fo
=. think not, Napoleon, misunderstood YOU
- as you sure it Is the love of France?'
; Every word she spoke touched him to tn
~ quick; and rising hastily, he replied-aM M,
- dam, have my reasons; good evening"
:, "Stay, sire!" said she, taking hold Of h
= arm, 1--WE must not part in anger. submit
10 Since you wish it, submit cheerfully. 1t
not my nature 10 oppose your will; loy
v" you too deeply. Nor shall cease TO 10,
~ you, Napoleon, because l am to leave yo,
= throne and your side. Ifyou still go on vi
:. torious, shall rejoice with you; # rever
y comes, will lay down my life to comic
- you. will pray for you morning and nigh
e. and hope that you will sometimes think
IL me-"
~ Hardened as he was, Napoleon had low
' os his wife deeply and long. Her submiss
=" to his stern resolve; her calm, put mourni
.:n dignity; her tried, mistaken love, NOV
IN even him; and for moment affection stru
lay gled with ambition. He turned and embl
'n ced her again; but in that moment her ia
q and form had changed. Her eye and h
~ whole person seemed inspired? He +
~ himself in the presence Of a superior beil
4. !: She led him to the window and threw il OPT
A thin mist rested over the scene and o,
the gardens of the palace; all around y
~ ~ silent; among the stars then before the
~. one was brighter than the rest. She poi
uC1l IL