Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-11-11

mer, who, with a timid step, had ap-
preached the Emperor and Lneeling on
one knee, with clasped hands and broken
voice. cried, "Oh sire, if you-if YOU
would spare his life-he is innocent Of
any intention to desert-that cam"
"Are you his brother 2" interrupted
the Emperor,
mo, SIRE" answered Reaumer: his
.friend-his dear friend"
:And how know you what his inten-
tions were!"
"He told them me, sire be only went
last night to see his friends, and would
have returned the same night, but that
II advised him to meet the regiment at
Labarre: and | know"
And what business hadst thou to ad.
wise a comrade in a breach of duty
Stand back to thy place."
And Reaummer retired, covered with
shame. Napoleon beckoned Je"u to hir.:
he came, and Rollo with him; and the
latter, as though understanding the DOW
er and authority of the man bis master
thus obeyed, put his forepaws az ainst his
stirrup, and whimpered imploringly up
to him. Jean looked for a moment in
the Emperor's face, bul his gaze drooped,
though without quailing, beneath that of
the piercing large grey eyes that were
fixed on him. After short pause, Ma
poleon asked:
Thine age? Lie down-down, good
dog for Rolo was getting very impor-
tunate.
"Twenty-five years sire," answered
Jean.
why hast thou disobeyed order. 2"
Il could not help it, sire"
Couldn't help it How dost thou
mean n?'
81 was so near my friends. and SO
longed to see them, that indeed could
not help it, SIRE"
Ills strange excuse. Down, | say,
good BRUTE" but at the same moment
hat he said so, be ungloved his hand,
and gave it to Rollo to lick; then, alter
short pause, added, 'Aud thou sawest
thy parents 2"
Yes sire, and was returning to the
regiment, when -"
'Ah! is this true, sergeant 2" turning
to Colon.
Yes, sire, tits true," answered he: we
met him about three quarters of league
from -"
Il need not have asked, though" in.
terrupted Napoleon, "the man s face looks
true. Thy name7" again addressing
Jean.
Jean Gavard, sire. Down. RolloI
Tear he is troublesome to your highness."
Napoleon smiled-perlaps at tn title,
and answered, No, no; poor Roi.o. he
Is fine dog. [ shall inquire into this
affair, Gavard; for the present, [ respi.
thee"
Jean knelt on his knee, and seized the
Enperor's hand to kiss it; but Napo-
,eOn said Stay, stay; tiny dog has been
licking it."
But this made no difference to poor
Jean, who kissed it eagerly; and when
Napoleon drew it away, it was wet with
tears. He looked on the back of his
hand moment. and his lips compressed
themselves as he did so.
''They are the tears of a brave man
Sir, said he, turning to a young officer
at his side, on whose features the Em.
peror's side glance had caught a nascent
smile: Forward" !" and at full gallon
the party left the ground.
jeans feelings at this sudden escape
from death, were like those of a man
wakened from frightful dream, before
his senses are yet enough gathered to-
gether to remember all its circumstances.
Jean had little time, however, to gather
them on this occasion, for Reaumer's
arms were, in a moment, around his
neck; and the hands of his comrades
those very hands that a minute before
were about to deal him death-wers now
gladly grasping his; and their ma1y con-
gratulations on his escape ended in one
loud shout of Live the Emperor. ~.
Y. Albion.