The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-03-28
had delayed his arrival by obliging him to
walk 10 Malmaiscn. .... -


pens, has feeling heart" said Josephine,
her sympathy aroused for the poor woman.
elf Napoleon did but know the destitution
of this child, born the same day, the same
| hour with his son! Be with me to-mor-
row morning at nine o'clock; we"will to-
gether visit this poor creature" And the
next morning at nine O'Clock Redoute was
at Malmaison. and an hour after, Joseph
inc, undeterred by the dark narrow, muG-
dy passage, and the equally dark, damp
stairs, increasing il steepness every step,
had entered the wretched apartment, Ut
terly bare of furniture, in the fifth story,
inhabited by the widow of Charles Blan-
ger. ...aa.ls .aa 5-.
MADAME" said Redoute. to whom Jo-
sephine had made signs to introduce her
and the object of their visit, "you may
rest assured that if the Emperor knew
! your situation, he would give you relief;
but there is now no necessity 10 trouble
him. This lady, whom have the honor
to accompany, is good enough to say she
will take you under her protection, and her
protection is all sufficient
"What a lovely boyv' cried Josephine,
IS the little orphan satup in his cradle, and
!
mother "Redoute,'' she SAID, as she took
the child and kissed it, ''did yor not tell
me that he was born the same day with
/ the King of Rome?'' ~ .-a.9a a.sl
"The same day and hour, madame"
answered the young mother.
"Was it mentioned to the Emperor at
the timer d"
'No, madame; we we've happy then,
and my poor Charles had too independent
a spirit TO ask any thing from any one
while he could work He was an engi-
neer; and though employment fuctuated,
yet still we were never reduced TO want.
At his leisure time he used to construct
model-machines, from one of which novel
and ingenious in the invention ne expected
both fame and pecunIary advantages; but
he has been suddenly taken from me, and
| am left alone TO struggle with misery and
wretchedness. | am sinking lower and
| lower, and gradually every resource has
been exhausted. Alas, | need not tell
you!'' and she glanced sorrowfully around
the miserable little apartment.
Tomorrow you shall quit this wretch
ed unwholesome abode" said the empress
as she gave the child 10 his mother, after
fondly caressing him, and putting her
purse into his little, hand Il will send
you my own physician; his skill, and the
comforts with which hope to surround
| you, will restore your fhealth. | rely on
| you my good friend" added she, turning
to the artist, ''to arrange all this for me.
She was rising to quit the room, amid
| the tears and blessings of the widow, whose
| heart she had "made to sing for joy"
when the door opened, and a young
! lady entered, at the sight of whom Re
| doute stood motionless with astonishment.
1t was Maria Louisa, accompanied by a
newly appointed chamberlain. AS Maria
Louisa was never known to visit the poor
man in his abode of poverty, Redoute had
some excuse for the uncharitabe iudg-
| ment he formed on the instant-that this
unusual proceeding on her part was inten-
ded either as an attempt to rival Josephine
in the popularity gained by her active and
unwearied benevolence. or TO please the
Emperor, as proving the lively interest she
took in child born the same day and
| hour with the King of Rome. But what
! ever might have been her motive, certain
| it is that she was now standing in the
widows humble abode without deigning''a
salutation to any one In 1t.
Josephine was sweetness and gentleness
itself; but there was something IN this want
of common courtesy that grated upon the
| pride Of caste which, as a Creole of an il
/ lustrious race. the wife the greatest capt
ain of the age, and as one still feeling her
| self the empress, she retained amid deser-
! ton and the disgrace of her reputation
1t may be, too. that she recognised Maria
Louisa. though she had only seen the por-
traits of her who now filled her place; and
she therefore resumed her seat, as If fear
full that her standing might have been con-
strued into homage. Maria Louisa, on
her part, was far from suspecting that the
female so simply dressed, so quietly seat
ed in the miserable garret, was her still
envied rival. eoHs sraJs91<
As the artist glanced from Maria Louisa
to the beautiful face of Josephine-for it
was still beautiful, though bearing the i'm
press of grief even more than of years.
he observed that an unwonIed expression
of naughty disdain now clouded that brow
usually SO radiant with benevolent kind
ness, and he half dreaded the result of this
unexpected encounter. And now Maria
Louisa, without one caress to the child or
noticing it in any way, explained in few
words the object of her visit.
Your intention is most iaudable, dou bt-
less, NADINE" said Josephine, still keep