The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-03-31
ANEcDorE OF NApoLroN-The Paris

ANEcDoTE OF NAPoLEoN-The Paris
correspondent of the Boston Atlas,
speaking of the festivities preceding
Lent, introduces the following anecdote
OF the uncle of the present Emperor
The circumstances connected with it
took place in the early part of 1912, at
the last masked ball given at the Tuile-
ries prior TO Napoleon's memorable and
disastrous expedition to Noscow.:
The Emperor had agreed with Duroc,
who was about as large as himself. and
OF the same height, that they would
both wear dominos of the same color
Ia pearl gray and the same cut. 80
that" said Napoleon, "there will be
some doubt about US at all events
Mon Dieu! | hope shall hear some
news about myself! Take care TO make
the deception more complete, that you
go in advance; l will follow you"
1t seems the secret of this double dis
guise vas not faithfully kept, or that it
was accidentally betrayed, for the En-
peror and Duroe had scarcely entered
the bali room, when they perceived a.
domino exactly like theirs.
"There's a counterfeit here" whis-
pered Napoleon TO his Grand Marshal !;
do you know who it can be m
No, Sire; but there is a very easy
way of finding out; TO end all conjec-
lures, am going 10 have the rascal
arrested"
"That you must Mt" said the En-
peror; "that would create great deal
Of scandal-besides, every body has a
right to wear what costume he pleases.
May be it is merely accidental" The
word accidental" had scarcely fallen
from his lips, when a second domino.
exactly like the first, appeared in the
ball room, and few steps behind him
came in third, and in few minutes
fourth came in. Thus there were six
pearl gray dominos in the ball, and they
were as much alike as six Dromios.
This is little too much" said the
Emperor. "Sire," said Duroc, 81 be-
lleve We are trieked-some one has
betrayed us.a Betrayedn replied
Napoleon. " tricked! Oh, not yet, not
yet. Let me manage them. and see if
they don't laugh on the other side OF
their mouth presently. Do you take
care not TO lose sight of the counterfeit
that speak to-" and following one of
his fac stmileS, the Emperor took him
by the hand when they had reached
the end of the salon.
=" Beau nanSque,n he to the false
mask, "sit down moment, | have
something to tell you. But in the first
place." rejoined the Emperor, in a
mocking tone, "won't you be SO good
as to tell me who you are, or give me
your name"
"Chutl chut chut! Siiencen r1ys-
teriously replied the pearl-gray domino,
trying at the same time to disengage
his hand from NapoIeon's firm grasp.
"But, beag naasqtc,'' replied the EN-
peror, raising his voice, Il am specially
charged to ascertain the names of all
persons here. | ask you again, mon
sieur. who are you?7
"Ek bien i'' replied the mask, in a
naughty tone; ''if you will not be sa-
tisfed, know that | am the Emperor.
But silence!" added he, placing his
fore-fnger on the mouth of his mask !;
''keepthe secret. for it is State secret.o
"Ah! bahE said Napoleon, puzzled
beyond measure.
.Do you doubt it 2" replied the mask,
getting mp and about stalking away
with offended dignity.
"Ma foi" replied the Emperor,
gaily, II beg your pardon for doubling,
but | give You my word and honor that,
for the last eight years, have labored
under the delusion that | was the En-
peror;;" saying this, Napoleon took off
his mask.
At the sight Of the Emperor, the usur-
per sprang with one leap into the ad-
joining room, slid through the crowd
SO adroitly and expenditiously, that
Duroc, who was keeping sharp look
out, could not catch glimpse of him.
At the same instant the three others
disappeared with like practised alacri-
ty; during the rest of the evening, only
two of the six pearl-gray dominos were
seen in the ball room. Was it plot or
a Joke? No one ever knew.