Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-10-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
NAPOL EON,s MERCY.

~SSthk AT y srAfSBLEAu.
Napoleon was eonversing with Joseplin-. when
one Of his officers entered, and announce yonnr
4 vine n from Lyons. "Whnt is hee business with
officer. ~
, show her into our presence" said he.
. Inc otheer soon reappeared, With lady leaning
upon MS arm, whose face, much rs could DC
scanned through The thick folds Of a veil WIS very
: door
"Majenois-.le," whispered her guide. kindly
pressing her hand, stoke courage but answer
promptly whatever question the emperor ptoposes
lie ietes,s hesitation" Then ushoriag her into tho
spacious ap .rtnsn; he bowed and re,Ied
hetremhns srr pereoiving Napoleon on whom
her innde.t hopes depcndej. forgot herself aud her
,'mdity; she thought only Of anoih,r Throwing
herself ct the i'ct Of Napoleon, she exclaimed, in
. voice ehoked with emotion, "Mercy, Sire, sue
Tor mercy and pardon" She could urtieu.a;e no
more. ~
Josephine stepped from her partial eorcealmen,.
and approaching the ground, contributed more by
her sympath ling words OF eneourss emeni to re-
store me courage Of the young petitioner, than
even the emperor, 10y the graoiousness OF his man
ner rs he babe her arise
Your petition, Mad, moiselle, said he
lien,i-tte Armand ;ior that was her nimc,) look.
ed poringiy at the emperor. and exclaimed. 'Ah
Sire, nsk pardon for Louis Deamaue. who -
Condemned to he shot TO mor.owi Oh, grant
him your royal pardonr
a cloud gathered on The brow of Napoleon, as
n.
be has twice deserted. Nc; he must be made as
example Tor the remainder Of the regiment,
But, the cause o his d-seriionl' cried Henrietta
nas,9yi ne was compelled TO jim tic army a.
What were the cause. Of his de-er,onr inter.
ruptrd NaToeon.
Two weeks since answered Henrieue, he re
eeiveu news that an only remaining parent, his
: moihcf, sTe, was on her death b.d, uni lon-et
day and night, TO behold her son again Lori.
knew thai reiei or release from his post W. $ I'M
pcssio'e. lis mind was filed with one thought,
that she might close her eyes forever ere they rest,
ed on son she loved 50 iondly.'
Did she del' asked the empires, with interest.
NO madame replied Henrietie, she ut las, re.
covered. But hardly had Louis received her Le.s
ing, been folded in ner arms, ere he was torn f,om
nr grasp by the officers Of justice, and dragged
h'ther. Oil must he Gie7 Mercy, sire, | beseach
yo1.'
'Medemosellc.' said Napoleon. apparently soft
ened this was the second offence-name the first
you omitted that
1t wsi,' said Henrei,e, hcsiia,ing, aud coo,ins
! it was-,hat he heard that was 10 marry Con
= rad Ferrant, whom dclest as much ns he does,
answered Henrieiie, with HGire.ts.
Are you MS sister, that he feels 60 grea, an inter.
5 est IN your fIie2' asked the emperor
'Oh no sire said Henrielie her lovely cheek
assuming still deeper the hue Of the rose, am only
his cousin
'Ah only his cousin repeated Napoleon, glanc-
ing al Josephine, with half suppressed smile
'Oh sHe,' cried Hcnrielle, 'recollect the anguish
oi ms widowed mother, when she reflects that tic
affection OF her son for her is The OF his DEATH
What, she continued, can do to save him p and
the poor girl, forgetting the presence of ROYALTY
burst into tears. The kind hearted josephine e!anc
cd al the emperor, with eyes expressive Of pity and
sympathy. She noticed the workings of his face
and elt at once It was very uncertain whether Lou
Deamaue was TO be shot the next morning
Napoleon approached the weeping girl. She has
tIly looked up, and dried her tears. 'Madsmosee
said he, would you give your life for hist Would
4 you die could Louis Delsmarre be restored TO life
liberty, and his motherl'
Henriet;e started back, deadly pale looked 6xed
at the emperor Tor moment then turning away
she buried her face IN her hands. Alter silence o
, some moments, Henriete looked up, an air of xec
~ determination rested upon her face; 4 am willing
she SAID, IN very low calm voice.
Napoleon looked AZ her 10 surprise as II he had
not anticipated SO ready answer 20 bis PROPOSAL
will sec you again. said he. Sin the meanlims &C
cept such apartment for your accommodation as
shall d.ssct.'
As soon es the door closed upon the fair peitonor
st Napoleon walked to the window against which 10
sephene was leaning, and sald-'l see how il Is
LOUIS Delamarre is the lover Of tins young GIRL
- True TO woman's nature, che has braved difficult,
h and dnnserio beg for his release
How strong must be this love she bears for him :
IL said the empress.
~ Ah" returned he, 4 have mind to subject thu
u same love TO severer test. Much doubt whethe
As she will give her life for him. Nevertheless vii
see
Sure cried Josephine, you are no, serious
Louls certainly can be pardoned without tie iea,t
g. of HenTiette.'
Napoleon drew her nearer the wiulou and ron.
versed in low voice.
Henrietie stood alone in a magnificent apartment,
=, Hours passed unobserved, Intensely was she ab
sorbcd IN reverie. small folded paper wastisbjI,
grasped in one small hand. On 1t we're traced thes
ID words: "A deserIer is condemned by the laws OF th
army 10 suffer death. Ii you wish Louis Dela
MARIE restored TO liberty, the means are in you
W power. Ere day dawns he may be on his way 4
IN Join his mother, whom he so much loves
e Ahp mutmured Henrieite, 'do not love hin,
tool' Pressing her hands upon her heart as il {,
still its tumultuous beating she paced the anart
~ ment. The door opened and Chevalier dc Mer
- yele entered. lie paused ere he aT,icu.altd Ma
~ demoiselle'
a Il am ready, replied Hendettc, My decision /.
made
: De Mervie appeared to comprehend the import
of her words. lie looked upon her in reverence a.
IA well ne admiration, as she stood with the hish re
! solve impressed IN her beautiful brow. Follow
r me, mademosee,' said he. They tfaversed long
corridors and numerous suites OF superb apartments
- and descending staircase quickly reached an outer
~ court communicating with the guard house. En-
terIng this, llenrette ushered Ivy her guide
into small apartment, where she soon was left to
herself. On chair flung n uniform Of he
regiment TO which Louis belonged. On table lay
a large plumed cap. Henfiete co.nprehended ali
uniform, che stood before the mirror, and gathering
30 up her beautiful brown tresses in q knot placed q Z
= cap upon her head She almost IL teteG a cry OF
' JOY at the success Of her transformation. She knew
that she was 10 be led to the fatal gfound AZ the
: mornings dawn. The bullet which would have
struck LOUIS 10 the heart, woull pierce her heart.
but she shrunk not back Love ,fiumpAed over the
tmid woman's nature. Louis mother will bless
: me in her heart, she whispered Louis himself will
y never forget m, : An often has he sworn that he
loved me better than al things beside. Draw;nr n
lock Of raven hair from her bosom, she pressed ID .
"a her .ips, then brcathcj a prayer 10 heaven.
IN Morning dawned. The sound OF footsteps
y aroused Henrietta She started up gfasped the
n band Of hair, awaiting the summons The door
opened, and two soldiers entered. repeating the
, name Of Louis Dslamaue; they suddenly led her
forth 10 die. The soldiers, Whosc bu'ic's were in.
tended 20 pierce the heart Of Louis had token their
sand, AMI only awaited The word Of command tom
MI the emperor, who were stationed al the window
commanding view Of the whole scene
or cdcd Josephine, who stood by him, but
concealed Ivy the window dnpcry fem the view Of
those below, oh, sire, cali endure IL no longer; Il
seems too much like dreadful reality. Mark Inc
devoted cr. No shrinking back. Sec, sic seems
n calmly waiting the fatal moment
stop, cried the emperor from the window 4 ous
Delamauo is psfdoned | revoke hi, sentence
loud burst Of applause from tho lirs OF % c
soldiers followed this amour % nenL Not ore
Of them but loved and respected their conrad. -
A The next moments ere they could press around to
d congratulate the supposed Louis, ne MervHle had
-. H. H. j.. H.