The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-04-07
From Gleason's Pictorial. |
A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
BY MISS ANNE T. WILBUR.

BY MISS ANNE T. WILBUR.
There was once young girl who was
so beautiful and good, that the greatest
prince in Europe, if he had met her in a
cottage, would have left all the princesses,
10 bestow upon her his hand and his
crown. Now, far from having seen the
| light in a cottage, this young girl was born
at the foot of the loftiest throne in the
world. 1t was Marie Nicolpwha, the
adored daughter of the Emperor of Rus.
sia.
Seeing her blooming as flower of May,
and sought by all the heirs Of sovereigns,
the czar cast eyes on the richest, hand
soonest and most powerful among them,
and smiling on his iebl as a father and a
king, said to her:
MY child, you are now of an age TO be
married, and have chosen the prince
who is to make you queen, the man
who is to render you happy
The man who is to render me happy?'
stammered the princess, blushing with a
sigh which was the only objection OF her
heart. Speak, my father, added she. as
she saw her fathers brow wrinkled, speak,
and your majesty shall be obeyed.'
'Obeyed!' exclaimed the emperor,
trembling for the first time in his life; lis it
only from duty that you will receive a
husband from my hand!'
The young girl remained silent and
dropped tear.
Your faith is then promised TO some
one'
The young girl still kept silence.
| 'Telle me, Marie, | command it,
\ AT this word, which moves ffty-fye
millions Of men, the princess fell at the
i feet of the czar.
We'll, yes, my father, my heart is no
longer my own. 1t has been given to a
young man who knows nothing of it, who
shall never know OF it, if such is your de.
Isire. lie has seen me only two or three
Times, at distance-an and we have never
spoken to each other-we will never
speak to each other, if your majesty for
bids it, ...
The emperor in his turn remained ST.
ent. lie grew pale. lie paced the
saloon. lie dared not ask the name ot
this man. lie who would have braved,
for caprice, all the monarchS at the
head Of their armies, trembled al the
thought of this unknown being who would
dispute with him his dearest treasure.
is he king!' asked he, OF last.
No, my father
'rhe heir of king!'
No, my fatherl'
"A grand dukeP
mo, my father
"A son of regnng family?'
No, my father
As each step descended, the czar
+. paused, brealhless.
"a Russian nobleT
mo, my father
"a foreigner!'
Yes
The emperor threw himselfinto chair,
and hid his face in mis- hands, like Aga
memnon at the sacrifice of lphigenia.
is he in Russia2'
'les. my father
AT ST, Petersburgh?'
Yes, my father
And the voice OF the young girl grew
fainter.
Where can see him?' asked his czar,
rising.
Tomorrow, at the review
How shall recognize himl'
BY his dignity and grace. He is the
handsomest cavalier in Europe, next TO
yourself, my father
'By what shall recognize him7' re.
peated The czar.
'lIy his green plume and black horse.
1t Is well. Go, my daughter, and pray
God to have pity on this man.
The princess retired, and The emperor
remained absorbed in reflection.
"A child's caprice!' said he. Il am
foolish to make myself uneasy about it,
4 She will forget him. She must forget him!'
And his lips dared not pronounced what
bis heart added She must, for all my
power would not be proof against het
tears'
The next day, at the review, the czar,
whose eagle eye embraced all with q
glance, sought and saw among the battal-
ionsonly the green plume and black horse
lie recognized in him how were the one
and was mounted on the other, q simple
Bavarian colonel Of ligih horse Maximil'
ian Joseph Eugene Augusle Beauharnais,
f Due De Leuchtenberg, Tie last child Of
the son OF Josephine, tle Empress Of
France. and Of Auguste Amelie, ihe
daughter Of Macmillan Joseph of Bass'
ria. an admirable and charming cavalier
indeed, but as inferior in rank to Marie
NicolGwna as a soldier to an empefor.a
is 1t possible2 asked the czar Of him.
self, sumnioning the colonel, doubtless
with theinlention of sending him to Mu'
nichI
, Butatthe moment he was aboutto crush
him With u word, he stopped short at sigh
( Of bis daughter, swooning in the carriage
/. There isno room for doubt; alas! il is
/ hc,' thought he.
II AND turning away from the astonished