Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-02-02
TOUCHING INcrpENT

Genersl Lgcisns had been condemned to
death. He had an only daughter. fourteen
years Of age who was remarkably beautiful.
The poor child was 10 state OF fearful ago
ny in view Of the fate oil her father Que
morning. without communicating her inien-
lions to any one, she set off for 81. Cloud
Presenting kerselfbeiore The gate ofihe pal
ace BY her youth, her beauty, her tears and
net woe, she persuaded The keeper, kind
hearted man. 10 introduce her 10 the apart
men' 81 Josephine and Horlense. Napo.
'eoh nag SAID y Josephine that she must no,
any more expose him 10 pain Of seeing the
condemned; that II any peu,,ons we're - -
ofiored, they must be presented !, u,,,;,u
Josephine and Horlense wete bn.a,a
deeply moved by The anguish &C ~ 49,. =
ted child that they conirlved d ,,,,.a.
her 70 the presence Of Napoleon as he ~.
passing through one OF The appointments Il
the palace. accompanied by several Of his
ministers. The fragile child in a dehr,um
oil emolion, rushed before him, precip,iatea
herself al bis feet, and exclaimed, Pardon
sire pardon :or my father |"
Napoleon surprised a, this sudden ap-
paralion, exclaimed 10 displeasure, Il have
said that / wish for no such scenes Who has
dared 10 introduce you here, in disregard
OF nv prohibition Leave miss So saw
ing. he turned 10 pass from her.
But the child threw her arms around his
knees, aud with her eyes suffused withitears
and agony depicted in every feature Of her
besutiful upturned face exclaimed, PAR
don pardon pardon !--tis for my faith
er."
'And who is your father n said Napole-
an kindly. "Who are you I"
i am Miss Lajolsis." she replied, 'and
my father is doomed to die"
Napoleon hesi,sied for a moment. aud
,hen exclaimed "Ah, miss but this is The
second time which your father has conspir-
ed against the State. can do nothing for
you"
Alas, sir the poor child exclaimed d,
with simplicity. u Know il; but the first
lime papa was innocent. and to-day ask
not for juslce-I implore pardon pardon
for him ("
Napoleon was deeply moved. His lip
trembled. and tears filled bis eyes and TAX
ing the little hand oil the child in both OF his
own he tendelIy pressed il and said
well my child. yesi For your sake /
will forgive your father. This is enough. -
Now rise and leave me.
AZ these words the suppliant tainted, and
fen lteIess upon the door. She was con.
veyed TO the apartment Of Josephine, where
she soon revived. and, though in a state OF
extreme exhaustion proceeded Immediately
% Paris. nj. Lavalelie, iaen aid-de-camp
TO Napoleon and his aife, accompanied her
TO the prison Of Conciergerier with the JOY
fol lidlngs When she arrived in the sloo
my cell where her father vas mmured she
threw herself npon his neck, aud her cam
vnlsiee sobbngs for time stihed all power
of uierance. Suddenly her fame became
convulsed her eyes fixed and she fell in
entire unconscousness into The arms OF
Madame Lavalete. When she revived
reason had fled, and the atiecionaie daugl
ter was a hopeless maniac.
Napoleon. in the evening. was informed
Of this new calamity. He dropped his head
in silence. unused painfully, brushed tear
from his eye, and was heard 10 murmer. in
low tone OF voice, Poor child poor child
"a father who has such a daughter is sill
more culpabe. will take care Of hel and
her mother"