The native American., 1839-05-18
THE RED MAN,

L
poleon across the Rhine, and his return to his
capital, visible change was observed in his ha-
bits and his conduct Instead Of wearing the liv-
| cry of .wo for the discontinue of his plans Of
ambition, and the loss Of his second grand army,
he dismissed his usual thoughhulness. Smiles
played on his lips, and cheerfulness sat on his
brow HIS manners became light and easy. and
his conversation lively. Business seemed to have
lost its charms for him; he sought for amusement
and pleasure! Balls and entertainments succeed
ed each other, and the Parsians began to fancy
that either Napoleon was certain of making an
advantageous peace with the allies whenever he
thought proper, or convinced that his downfall
was at hand, and therefore wished to spend the
last weeks of his imperial dignity in enjoyment
and ease. Another CONSUMPTION had been ordered,
and the legislative body had been dismissed; but
these signs of his existence, not of his actlv-
| ity. He remained buried in pleasure, whilst the
invaders crossed the Rhine, and, rapidly approach
ing Paris, threatened to destroy at once his
Throne and the metropolis. On sudden his
conduct experienced a second change; his face
resumed its deep and habitually thoughtful gloom;
his attention was engrossed by the cares due 10
his armies; and every day witnessed new reviews
of regiments, in the place of the Carrousel.-
Sleep could no longer seal his wakeful eyes; and
his wonted activity, in which no other mortal
perhaps ever equalled him, was displayed with
more energy than ever. All the time he could
spare from his armies and his cabinet, he bestow-
ed on his state council. So striking an opposi-
ton between his present and his past conduct,
could not fail to excite powerful agitation in the
minds of the Parlsians; and to make them strive
10 trace up change so abrupt, in the manners of
their emperor, 10 its true cause. Precisely at this
time, to the still greater establishment of the whole
city, the report Of an interview of Napoleon with
his genius, under the shape of my sterous Red
Man, transpired The lst of January, 1914,
early in the morning, Napoleon shut himself up
in his cabinet bidding count Mole (then coun-
sellor of state and afterwards made grand Judge of
the empire), to remain III the next room, and to
hinder any person from troubling him, whilst he
was occupied in his cabinet He looked more
thoughtful than usual. He had not long retired
to his study, when a tall man, dressed all in red
applied to Mole, pretending that he wanted to
speak to the emperor. He was answered that it
was not possible. II must speak to him. said
he; Ego and tell him that it is the Red Man who
wants him, and he will admit me-" Awed by.
the imperious and commanding tone of that
strange parsonage, Mole obeyed reluctantly, and
trembllngly executed his dangerous errand. "Let
him IN, said BOnaparte, sternly.
Prompted by curiosity, Mole listened at the
door, and overheard the following curious con-
versation. The Red Man said, "'rhis is my
third appearance before you; the first time we
met was in Egypt, at the battle of the Pyramids.
The second. after the battle Of Wagram. / then
granted YOU four years more, to terminate the
conquest of Europe, or to make general peace;
threatening you that if you did not perform one
Of those two things, | would withdraw my pro-
lection from you. Now am come. for the third
and last time, to warn you that you have now
but three months to complete the execution of
your designs, or to comply with the proposals of
peace offered YOU by the Allies; if you do not
achieve the one or accede to the other, all will
be over with you, so remember it we'll" Napo-
leon then expostulated with him to obtain more
time, on the plea that it was impossible, in so
short space, to reconquer what he had lost, or
to make peace on honorable terms. ''Do as you
please said the Red Man, ''but my resolution
is no, to be shaken by entreaties, nor otherwise,
and 60" He opened the door, the emperor
followed, entreating him, but to no purpose; the
Red Man would not stop any longer, he went
away, casting on his imperial majesty contemp-
tuous look, and repeating in stern voice, ''three
months, no longer!". Napoleon made no reply,
but his fiery eyes darted fury; and he returned
sullenly into his cabinet, which he did not leave
the whole day.
Such were the reports that were spread in Pa
ris three months before the fall of Napoleon Be-
naparte; where they caused an unusual sensation,
and created belief that he had dealings with in
ferna spirits, and was bound to fulfil their will,
or perish. What is more remarkable is, that in
three months the last wonderful events justified
the Red Mans words completely unfortu.
nate than Caesar, or Henry the w Of France,
these presages did but foretell his ruin, and not
| his death.
Who the Red Man really was, has never been
known; but that such person obtained an inter.
view with him, seems to have been placed be-
yond doubt. Even the French papers, when
Bonaparte was deposed, required to the fact and
remarked, that his mysterious visitant's prophetic
threat had been accomplished.
The correspondent of the Pittsburg Visitei
furnishes the following "reminiscences relating tc
the early history of Wheeling:
The Zanes, the first pioneers of Western Vir
gnia made a settlement on the present site Of
Wheeling, as early as 1860. From that period
until the peace Of l774, as was the case with all
the first settlers of Western Pennsylvania and
Virginia, and the adjacent regions of Ohio, they
were almost continually liarassed by the Indians
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