Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-03-03

ever distinguished, she moved slowly and ST.
IentIy to the seat prepared for her. Leaning
| her elbow upon the table, and supporting her
palId brow with her hand she struggled to re
press the anguish of her soul, as she listened
| to the reading of the act of separation. The
voice of the reader was interrupted only by
the convulsve sobbings of Hortense, who
stood behind her mothers chair. Eugene
also stood behind his mother in that dreadful
hour. pale, and trembling like an aspen leaf.
Josephine sat with tears silently trlckllng
down her cheeks, in the mute composure of
despair At tue close of this painful duty
Josephine for moment pressed her handker-
chief to her weeping eyes instantly re-
raining her composure, arose, and with her
voice of ineffable sweetness, in clear and dis
tinct tones pronounced the oath OF acceptance.
Again she sat down, and with a trembling
hand took the pen and placed her signature
to the deed which forever separated her rom
The object of her dearest affections, and from
all her most cherished hopes. Scarcely had
she laid down her pen, when Eugene dropped
Ifeess upon the floor; and he was borne to
his chamber in a state of insensibillty, as his
mother and sister retired.
But there still remained another scene of
anguish in this day of woe. Josephine sat IN
her chamber, ia solitude and speechlessness,
till Napoleon usual hour for retiring to rest
had arrived. In silence and in wretchedness
Napoleon had Just placed himself IN the bed
from which he had elected the wife OF ms
youth, aud his servant was waiting only to re-
ceive orders to retire, when suddenly the prl-
yate door to his chamber was opened, and Jo-
/ sephine appeared, with swollen eyes and di-
! sheveled hair, and all the dlshabllle OF unut-
! terable agony With trembling steps she tot
tered into the room approached the bed,
and then irresolutely stopped and burst in
10 an agony of tears. - Dehcacy - a feeling
as if she n0tC had no right 10 be there -ap
peared at first 10 have arrested her progress;
but forgetting everything IN the fitness OF her
grief, she threw herself upon the bed, clasped
had been breaking. Napoleon also wept
while he endeavored TO console her, and they
reu. aimed for some time locked in each others
arms, silently mingling their tears together"
The attendant was dismissed, and for an hour
they remained together III this their last in
teryiew, aud then Josephine parted forever
from the husband she had 50 long, SO fondly
and so faithfully loved. As Josephine retired
the attendant again eD.srcd, aud found NaPo
leon 50 buried in tie bedclothes as TO be invis-
ible And when he arose in the morning, his
pale and haggard features gave attestatIon
10 the sullerngs a sleepless night.
At IL O'Clock the next morning, Josephine
was to leave the scene of all her earthly great
ness, and to depart from the Tuileries forever.
The whole household assembled on the
stairs and IN the yestibule, in order 10 obtain
last look of a mistress whom they had loved,
aud who. to use an expression OF one present,
currled with her into exile the hearts OF all
who had enjoyed the happiness OF access TO
her presence. Josephine appeared, leaning
on the arm of one Of her ladies, and veied
from head to foot. She held a handkerchief
10 her eyes, and moved forward amid silence,
at first uninterrupted, but 10 which almost
Immediately succeeded universal burst of
grief. Josephine, though not InsenSibIe to.
this proof Of attachment, spoke not; but in
stantly enteringa close carriage drawn by sly
horses, drove rapidly away, without casting
one look backwards on the scene Of past great
ness and departed happiness.
The palace OF Malmaison was assigned to
Josephine for her iutur, residence, and a
loiuture Of about SIN hundred thousand dol
lars year settled upon her. Here, after
many months Of tears, She gradually regaiued
composure, as time scarIhed the wound which
had been inflicted upon her heart. She heard
the merry pculs Of the bells, and the thunder
OF artillery. and the shouts OF the populace as
,hcv welcomed Napoleon's new bride, Maria
Louisa. 10 the throne and the palUce from
whence She had been blui>hej. She wit
messed the ilIumluations aud the reJoicings
WIN which all France was filed. upon the
birth OF the long wi>hcd-fOr son. Napoleon
continued 10 cherish for JOSEPH me the most
sincere regard. ana though from motives OF
dehcacy hc never saw her alone he frequent
II called upon her, and continued frequently
10 correspond wltIl her. In all the busiest
scenes Of his downfall and ruin. he would
seize moments 10 write 10 Josephine. And
letter from her was Immediately torn open,
the moment II was received, however press
iug the engagements ID which he was .avols-
ed. And, strange TO say. Josephine continued
TO cherish for han emotions OF the most ar
dent affection. She seemed most cordially to