The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-03-28
NJ ! s Q E L L A N E o U S
The Two Empresses.

1T was the middle of the year 1912. that
year the latter months of which Witnessed
the humiliation of the French army on
the plains of Russia. Such catastrophe
was far from the thoughts of the single
iuhabitant of Paris, when one morning in
the month of June, the celebrated artist,
Redoute was on his way 10 Malmaison TO
present to the Empress Josephine some
paintings of lilies. He was great favor
ite with her, from his having devoted his
pencil to flowers, of which she was pas
isonately fond. In full enjoyment of the
lovely morning, he was gaily crossing the
garden of the Tuileries to get to the Place
de la Concorde, where hs:intendeu king a
coach, when he saw crowd eagerly hur-
ryIng in the direction of the walk by the
.waterside. The general cry "the King of
Rome! the Empress" soon told him the
object of attraction; and the artist quicken
ed his steps, glad of the opportunity, thus
by chance afforded him, of seeing the son
of the Emperor, the yet Graded child of
fifteen months, whom so proud destiny
seemed to await. b. ....-...-.. ....... =.
1t was indeed the King of Rome, in a
little carriage drawn by four snow-white
goats, and the Empress Maria Louisa
walking by its side. She was wrapped
in blue shawl Of peculiar shade, known
TO be her favorite color. The crowd had
gathered outside the grazing, around which
they pressed closely; and as Redoute stop
ped to gaze with the rest, he eslw standing
near him a young woman with child in
her arms. The garb of both bespoke ex-
IRENE poverty; but the child's face was
glowing with health, while the cheeks of
the mother were pale and emaclated,
and from her sunken eyes fell tears,
which she cared not either to wipe away
or conceal.
"My poor little onel-mv darlingi' she
whispered as she pressed the child still
closer 20 her bosom, ''you have no car
riage, my angel; no playthings-no toys
of any kind. For him abundance, pleas
ure, every Joy of his age; for thee, desola-
ton. suffering, poverty, hunger! What Is
he that he should be happier than you, dar-
ling! Both Of you born the same day the
same hour!-I as young as his mother,
and loving you as fondly as she loves him.
But you have now no father my poor babe;
you have no father!"
The artist overheard these words Of woe
and stood with his eyes fixed upon the
poor young mother, in utter forgetfulness
of the King of Rome
MADAME" said he, after moments
hesitation, and in a low voice, "why do
You not make known your situation TO the
empress?" D. -...
ITO what purpose, sir?" cried the
young woman, somewhat bitterly. "Small
A. Of
world
49,, .But why not make the attempt7''
81 have done so, sir, already. l wrote
TO the empress and told her that my son
was born the same day, the same hour
with the King of Rome. | told her, alas!
that he has no father, that my strength
is failing, that we are utterly destitute
But the empress has not deigned TO an
swer." e. ...,., ..-...-. .... --.-.-
"You will have an answer rest assured.
Perhaps the memorial has not been yet
placed before her majesty. Give me your
adress beg of you." And after taking a
memorandum of il, and slipping into her
hand all the money he had about him,
Redoute was soon rapidly making his way
to the Place de la Concorde, where, just
rs he was stepping into a carriage, he dis
covered that his purse was empty.
at is of no consequence" he said; "l
have only to walk a little fast.
Josephine, mean while, had been eager
ly expecting the promised visit of the usu
ally punctual artist, and was beginning to
feel uneasy lest some accident had occurr-
ed to occasion the prolonged dely, wher
he was announced.
al ought to scold you,'' she said, as she
received with her wonted gentle grace
the artists offering, ''for delaying the
pleasure feel in seeing this admirable
drawing" .r. --...-.
.ye"I must throw myself upon your majes-
Tvs goodness to excuse me-, answered
Redoute rather inconsideraIely. 81 had
never seen the King of Rome, and to-day
have been fortunate enough to catch
glimpse OF him. Josephine started, and
Rodoute, instantly aware of the awkward
ness of mentioning the meeting stopped
suddenly in confusion. - =
!. 81 am very glad" said Josephine, ma
king a strong effort to repress her emo
tion, "that you have seen the son of the
Emperor. Pray tell me where you saw
him, and who was with him." Rodoute
hesitated. 3.
''Pray, go OF" said she, gently but earn
estly. He obeyed; and told her every
particular he had observed, as we'll as what