American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-19
Amerireu astpnbitran,
From The Boston Transcript

distinguished surgeon, whom calleu IluoeEti,
bore painful pa;t.
This story of the amputated hand, which
smells so strong of the Jealous and revengeful
Spanish Hidalgo,-which you took for puff,
and which was So unlike the Paris mode that
did not myself believe it's nevertheless true
TO the letter. One Of the parties resides at
Brussels, where he fed when the affair came
TO light.
The young Matilda dc - is daughter of
one of the most illustrous soldiers of the en-
Pire; her father won high and glorious rank,
but he was one of the few generals whom
the emperor had not enriched Matilda de
Therefore could bring her husband no por-
ton.
Napoleon de-is the grandson of the no.
BILE duchess of--,who has a distinguished
name and title, but no wealth, However, the
duchess and the general long united by warm
friendship, had engaged to unite their children
They soon repented 10 their engagement.
While Matilda and Napoleon were both re-
signing themselves to the happines of love, the
general and the duchess, alarmed for the inter-
ests of their children, and little for their own,
were playing different game.
"lf my daughter" says the general, Omar
RES this poor devil Napoleon, farewell wealth
and happiness"
''lf my son." says the duchess, "gets wife
and no fortune, how shall we restore the noble
house of-;'
The general, therefore, endeayorcd to detach
Matilda from her lover, and the duchess to
ALLEVIATE her son from Matilda. But neither
succeeded Though young and inexperienced,
their love was too strong for all the wles of
the older heads.
The parents failed to procure a voluntary
separation, were at last able to compel the de-
parture of Napoleon, and secure his absence
for some time. "Pecuniary exigencies deman.
ded it, Napoleon must obtain situation
The Minister had made him First Secretary to
a distant embassy. If he refuses to go, he
closed against himself brilliant career. This
sacrifice he owed to Matilda herself, for whose
happiness he was soon to become responsible!"
Napoleon yielded
He sees Matilda for the last time, and an
nounces his departure. A cry of grief bursts
from the heart of the young girl In vain he
sets forth his projects-in vain forces himself
TO console her, by pointing her to his retHrn
full OF wealth, happiness and love. Matilda
was inconsolable; sad presentiment forbade
her to believe the treacherous promises of an
uncertain future. What more could she gain
IN exchange for their present happiness, about
10 be sacrificed to duty2 She saw that her
dream of happiness was ended-that the beauti-
full vision had taken wings.
Napoleon took her hand, and covering it
with kisses and tears, exclaimed, "Remember
Matilda, remember you are my aiianced; and
this hand, remember it is mine"
With these words he put upon her finger
small ruby ring at was my mothers, " said
he.
Matilda could only reply by pressing the ring
10 her lips, when she sank into the chair utter
ly overcome.
Napoleon left. His absence facilitated the
objects of the parents. The general soon made
an appeal to the fial love of his daughter He
exaggerated his poverty-invented a long list
Of debts and obligations which he could not
meet, and drew airghtful picture ofhis wretch
ed and dishonored old age;-he even suggested
suicide, as preferable to such fate, She alone
could save him; and to do that she must forget |
Napoleon, and marry the wealthy Count de
- whose masculine face and commanding
form she well knew.
A little selfishnesss had saved Matilda; but it
Is the weakness of sublime natures to anticipate
instead of avoiding sacrifices. Matilda threw
herself into her fathers arms, promising every
thing, and he gave her his blessing, and thank
ed her for her filial devotion.
He was still speaking, when Matilda, unable
TO command herself longer, escaped from his
arms Pale and exhausted, she fastened to her
room, and abandoned heself TO flood of silent
tears Flow, flow cruel tears! weep, noble
creature, this phantom glimpse of happiness!
Happiness alas! there is no happiness for souls
like thine!
However, the banns were published, and the
10Th of last January, at the church of st. Tho
mas d'Aguin, Matilda married the Count de
-. The general was completely happy
At the moment of the nuptial benedcton,
when the husband was about to put upon her
finger the symbol of their union, instead ofpre-
senting, as usual her left hand, Matilda passed
suddenly to the other side, and offered her
right. The Count, with slight remark, would
have taken her left, but she withdrew it and
again presented the right with an air of quiet
decision that is indisputabe; the Count under
stood it, and to avoid notice, placed the ring
upon the hand she offered him.
Jealous as Othello, a dark suspicion imme-
diately seized his breast. Pretending that the
ring was not to his taste, he begged Matilda to
lay it aside. She replied with mildness, but
with the same decision she had before shown,
that she should never part with it.
The Counts suspicious were, from that time
fdcts-but he dissimulated, to secure his re-
yenge system of espionage was organized
around Matilda A letter soon arrives from
Napoleon. Ignorant of his misfortune, he
spoke of his love, his future plans, and their
approaching marriage. He reminded Matilda
that her hand ,oas his, and entreated her to let
his mothers ruby remind her often of him He
closed with the joyful intelligence, that he was
entrusted with important communications for
Paris, and that in less than month he should
see her.
The Count received the letter, and immed-
ateIy understood all. Entering the chamber of
his wife, and giving her the open letter. 81
understand" said he, coolly, "your scruples.-
Why did you not explain yourself before? You
LIZ ..onr ha nd hannnad To nnnn |