The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-12
Anecdote OF Napoleon.

Emperor, wrapped IN his celebrated grey great
coat, was riding about in the environs of Mum
ch, attended only by two orderly officers. lie
met on the road very pretty looking female,
who, by her dress, was evidently vivandiere.
She was weeping, and was leading by the hand
n little boy about FIVE years Of age. Struck by
the beauty Of the woman aud her distress, the
Emperor pulled up his horse, by the road-sIdc,
and said:
What is the matter with you, my dear !"
The woman, not knowing the individual BY
whom she was addressed, and being much dis
composed by grief, made no reply. The little
boy, however, was more communicative, aud he
frankly answered
My mother s crying, sir, hccausc M father
has beat her
NY here is your father?'
Close by here. lie is one OF the sentineis ON
duty with the baggage"
The Emperor again addressed himself to the
woman, and inquired the name of her husband,
but she refused to tell, being fearful lest the
Captain, as she supposed the Emperor TO be,
would cause her husband to be punished, Ma
poleon, am sorry to say, had but little conf
dence in the fair SEX Ga this occasion his
habtual suspicious occurred to his mind, and he
said
'Malpeste your husband has been beating
you; you are weeping, and yet you are so afraid
Of getting him into trouble that you will not
even tell me his name. This is very inconsis-
tent. May it not be that you nre 4 little in
fault yourself"
".Alas Captain he has thousand good
qualities, though he has one very bAd one-he is
Enthusiastically jealous and when he, gets
into a passion, he cannot restrain his violence.
But that is rather serious: in one of his fits
q ha ;nfji n\nr,,
injury-perhnps Kill you"
And even ifhe did, should not wish any
harm to come to him, for am sure he would
not do it willingly, lie loves ne too well for
that"
And if | guess rightly. YOU love him
'That is very natural, Captain: he is my
lawful husband, and the father Of my dear
boy"
$50 SAYING, she fondly kissed her child,
who, by the way in which he returned her
carrcssrs, proved his affection for hi, mother.
Napoleon WAS moved by this touching picture,
in spite Of the heart of iron, of marble, "r OF
adnmant, which has so often been allotted to
him.
We'll" said he again turning to the woman,
" whether You and your husband love each other
! do not choose that he should beat yon--l am
II am one Of the Empcrors aidcs-dc-camp, and
will mention the NIL r to his Majesty-tcIl IN"
your husbands name
If you were the Emperor himself would
not tell You, for know he would be punished"
SILLY woman all | want is to teach lin t."
behave well to you, and to treat you with the
respect you deserve"
That would make me very happy, Captain ;
but though he i'll treats me, will not get him
punished
The Emperor shrugged up his shoulders,
made some remark upon female obstinacy. AID
galIopcd of.
When he was out of tie waman's hearing, he
said 90 the officers who accompanied him:
well, gentlemen, WHIT do YOU think Of that
aHtc.ionate creature! There are not many such
women at the Tuillcries. wife like that is Il
Treasure to her husband.
In the course of few minutes the baggage,
of which the boy had spoken, came up. 1t was
was escorted by company Of the 52d. Napo-
leon despatched one Of the officers who was
riding with him, to desire the commander Of the
escort to come to him.
Have you vivandiore in yoar comp1ny :!
Yes, Sire" replied The Captain.
las she child =
"fes, little GcntiI, whom VIC are all 50 fond
Of"
Has not the woman been beaten by her hus,
baud 3
Il was not aware Of the circumstances till
some time after the occurrence. hive rcp;i-
nandud the man
g Is he generally well conducted p
. Tie is tn" best behaved man in the company.
la is very jealous OF his wife. bat without
reason. The womal,'S conduct is iirepr'n;ch.
able
Does he know me by sight -
{. /
rived from Spain, think it IS probable he does
not"
TRY and ascertain whether he has ever seen
me, and if he has not, bring him hither. Say
on wish to conduct him before the General Of
On inquiry, it appeared that Napoleon had
never been seen by the grcnadicr who was n
very fine looking man, about five and twenty
When he was conducted to Napoleon, the latter
said in Il familiar tone,
WHAT is the reason. nv lad that You beat
vour wife, She is young and pretty woman,
an! better wife than Won are n hush md. Such
conduct is disgraccful in French orcnad"r.
Bah, General, if women are to he believed,
they are never in the wrong. | have Forbidden
my Wii. 10 talk to am man whatever; and vet,
III spite of my commands, find hr constantly
gossipng with one or other Of my comrades.
"Now, there is your mistake. You want to
prevent woman from talking-you might as
well try to turn the course Of the Danube.
Take my advice; do not be jealous. Let yoIr
wife gossip and be merry. if she were doing
wrong, it is likely she would be sad instead Of
gay. Your comrades are not absolutely capn-
chius; but am much mistaken it they will not
respect another mans wife. desire that you
do not strike your wife again; and, if my order