Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-07-27
Attempt to Commit sui-
3 49, - 30 cSSRn .s=t 7s

In Montholon's history of the captivity of Ma
poleon at st Helena, it is recorded that he twice
attempted selfdestruction, once early in his ca
his life was saved by Demasis, former comrade
in an artillery regiment. Napoleon was then in
Paris--depressed and suffering from Illness
His mother, having fed from Corsica, was at
Marseiles, without means of subsistence, and
had written to him for aid. Napoleon had moth
ing but an assignat of hundred sous. Relat-
ing this adventure to Montholon, Napoleon says:
In state of detection / went out, as if urged
to suicide by animal instinct, and walked
along the quays feeling my weakness, but unable
to conquer it. In few moments more I should
have thrown myself into the water, when ran
against an individual dressed as an humble me-
chanic, and who recognized me, threw himself
upon my neck, and cried, els it you Napoleon!
What joy to see you agan!" 1t was Demasis,
former comrade of mine in the artillery regiment
He had emigrated, and returned to France in dis
guise to sec his aged mother. He was about to
GO, when stopping, he said, 'What is the matter!
You do not seem glad to see me. What misfor-
tune threatens? You look like madman about
to kill HIMSELF
This direct appeal awoke Napoleons feelings,
and be told him everything. els that all!'' said
he; opening his coarse waist coat and detaching
belt, he added, "here are thirty thousand francs
in gold; take them and save your mother"
cannot said Napoleon, to this day, explain to
myself my motives for so doing, but seized the
gold as ifby convulsve movement and ran like
madman to sendi to my mother. Itwas not un-
til it was out of my hands that thought of what
had done. fastened back to the spot where
had left Demasis, but he was no longer there
For several days went out in the morning and
returned not until evening searching every place
where hoped to find him. ee
The end Of this romance is as eccentric as the
beginning. For fifteen years, Napoleon saw no
more Of his creditor. At the end of that time he
discovered him, and asked 'swhy he had not ap-
piled to the Emperor The answer was that he
had no necessity for the money. but was afraid of
being compelled to quit his retirement, where he
lived happily, practising horticulture.
| Napoleon now paid his debt, as may be presum-
ed, magnifcently; made him accept three hun
dred thousand francs reimbursement from
the Emperor for the.thirty thousand lent to the
subaltean of artillery; and besides, made him d.
rector general of the gardens of the crown, with
salary of thirty thousand francs. He also gave
government place to his brother.
In April, 1915, when Napoleon was at the head
of his army, preparing to attack the allies, his
Marshals, demanded an interview with him.
They were opposed to his plan of operations, anc
looked apon an attempt to enter Paris as hopeless
They proposed that he should abdicate in favor o
| his son. This was also the advice ofthe Emper
4 4er Alexander. Napoleon did os- was proposed
but Marmont and his army had surrendered on tha
day. After this, the allies rejected all negotia
ton. The proposition and offers of Napoleon t
his officers and soldiers were unheeded by then
and he at length signed an unequivocal addiction
for himself and family. This led to the secon
Eattempt upon his own life. He thus narrates il
"From the time of the retreat from Russia,
said he, "I had constantly carried round my neck
in little slken bag, portion of poisonous pow
der which Ivan had prepared by my orders, whe
was in fear of being carried off by the Cossacks
MY life no longer belonged to my country; tn
events of the last few days had again rendered m
master of it. Why should endure so much sui
fering! and who knows that my death may nc
place the crown upon the head of my son.
France was saved.
81 hesitated no longer, but leaping from m
bed, mixed the poison in little water, and dram
it with sort of happiness.
''But time had taken away its strength; fearft
lpains drew forth some groans from me; the
were heard, and medical assistance arrived. !
. was not Heavens will that should die SO soo1
: St. Helena was my Destiny"