The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-04-25


bouquets
"And your father and mother, wha
do they do %
"Alas! sir, have NEITHER replied
the Young girl, with much emotion.
"No parents %
Not one; am quite stranger in
this land Three years ago my father
all English soldier, left London with
me for the Indies; but alas my father
died on the voyage, and when the yes.
sci reached this island my poor mother
was SO i'll that she could not proceed
further, and we were left here. She
was i'll for long time; and having nc
resources for our support, | was advised
to sell flowers. A gentleman in the
town, who made inquiries as to our
prospects. took pity on us. and gave us
this coKage, where my mothers health
improved. and where she lived nearly
two years, dlring which time we were
supported blythe sale of flowers. About
year ago my poor mother had re.
lapse, and obtained a release from all
her earthly .ufferings. On her death
bed she recommended me to trust in
Providence, and | feel pleasure in
obeying her hst wish"
The young girl, having thus spoken
burst into tears. During this short
recital Napoleon was very much affect
ed, and wher she burst into tears he
sobbed loudly. At length he said:
Poor child what sin could you have
committed that you should have been
exiled here so miserably! Like me, she
has no country, no family-she has no
mother, and IL have no childm
After pronounoing these words, the
Emperor again sobbed audibly, and
his tears flowed freely. Yes, this great
man. whom the bss of the most bril-
liant throne in the world affected not
who was calm amidst desolation itself
wept at the recital of this poor girl
After a few moments he resumed his
customary firmnss, and said to her:
81 wish to take home with me a
souvenir Of my firS visit to your cottage.
Gather some Of ysur best flowers and
make a grand bouquet"
Henrietta quickly made his bouquet.
and when Napoleon gave her FIVE louis
d'ors for it. cried with astonishment-
"Ah! grand dien! why did You not
come sooner9 nv poor mother would
not then have diedm
"Well. we'll, my child, these are very
good sentiments | will come and see
you again"
Then blushing ard regarding the FIVE
pieces of gold, Henrietta replied. " But,
sir, can never give You flowers enough
for all this money"
.po not let that trouble you," answer
ed Napoleon, smiling, : Yen will come
and fetch them"
He then left her. When he gained
his companions he informed them Of his
discovery. seemed happy in having
one as unfortunate. as himself to con-
sole; and, on the spot, the young Hen
rietta augmented the special nomencla-
ture of Longwood. He called her the
,Nymph Of St. Helena for amongst his
friends Napoleon habitually baptised all
that surrounded him by familiar cogno.
men. Thus, the part Of the island
which he most frequented was called
the "yalleyof Silence" Mr.. Balcomb.
with whom he stayed on his first arri.
val At St. Helena, was s.Amphitryon y
his cousin, the Major. who was about
six feet high, was called the giant =
Sir George Cockburn was designated
as 9 Dir. Admiral when the Emperor
was pleased, but when he had cause
for complaint his only title was 1.-THE
Shark
Some days after his visit to the cot.
tage, Napoleon said when dressing. thai
he should return to his pupil and per.
form his promise. He found the young
g.rl at home she had learned since
his absence the name of her benefactor
and much moved, not so much by his
past grandeur as by his recent calami.
Ties, entreated him to accept the hospi.
tality of her humble cottage. She then
brought him figs and water from tue
spring of the river valley.
Sire, she said to Napoleon, al have
waited at home or you since you were
last here, and have consequently mol
been able to procure wine for you, as
your bounty will now enable me to do"
- And Il you had, ," said the Emperor,
4 should have scolded you well. When
come to see you wish nothing better
than this wafer, which is excellent. On
this condition, am but an old soldier,
as your father was, and the old soldier
who is not satisfied with figs and water
is no soldier at all.D
From that day Napoleon did not visit
the valley without calling at the cot
taee Of Henrietta. On these occasions
she o, esented him with a magnificent
bouquet, especially prepared for him,
and after friendly chat with her he
would continue his ride, Familiarity dis
cussinx with those who accompanied
him On the great and excellent quail
ties which this young English girl pos
sessed. In the following year, Napo-
leon began to suffer from the attacks
of the malady which afterwards proved
fatal. Henrietta, not receiving visits
from her bensfactor, went to inquire
after his health and, after having LET,
the customary bouquet with one q hia