Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-12-06


fifteen francs, and that it was certainly not worth
while to call her young and pretty mistress for
SO paltry customer. But the Emperor thought
differently, and after looking about him for
few minutes, he asked in an authoritative tone
whether there was any one to whom he could
speak. Mademoiselle L-,who had just risen
at that moment came down stairs. On seeing
her, the Emperor was struck by her beauty and
her elegant appearance and in truth she might
we'll have yied the finest woman of the imperial
c6trt. 'Parbleu, madame said the Emperor,
touchingthe brim of his hat (for.h could not
venture to take it off lest he should be known),
it would appear that you are not very early
folks here. A good shopkeeper should look
after her business better That would be very
true, sir replied Mademoiselle L----, if busi-
ness were going on well. But as j., it matters
very little whether We are IN sss sgsSpS or not
I Is trade then SO very bad = said Napoleon,
examening various things on the counter. Ru-
ined, sir, totally ruined. know not what will
become of as Indeed had no idea that
France was in so pitable a condition am
foreigner. wish to make few purchases, and
at the same time should like to learn from so
agreeable person as yourself some particulars
respecting the state of businept.1 in Paris -
What sort of vases do you call these 2 Those
are the Medicis FORM replied Mad6moiselle l.
-. They are very beautiful. What is the
price of them! Mademoiselle L-1 opened
at once her ears and her eyes. The wares were
marked at three thousand francs She told Ma
poleon the price Of them, but he merely nodded
his head, and then said, Pray what is the rea-
son that trade is SO bad 2 Oh, sir, as long as
that little man, our Emperor, is so madly intent
on war, how can we hope to enjoy either pros
perity or happiness!' As she spoke these words,
MademoiselIe l. threw herself into chair
and the Emperor stood looking at her with the
admiration and respectful interest which her
beauty was calculated to excite. Is your husb-
and with the army enquired the Emperor.
l am. not married, sir; live here with my
brother, whom assist in carrying on his bust
ness. We are not French we are swiss All !!
ah : said the Emperor and he uttered these
EXPLANATIONS with as much indifference as if he
had been yawning. We'll, will purchase these
two Medicis vases. | will send for them at
eleven clock Take care to have them ready.
/ With these words, which were delivered in a
truly imperial tone of authority, he touched
the brim of his hat and darted out of the shop
beckoning to the Duke de Frioul to follow him
That girl is very interesting, said he to Durco
as he left the Passage du Panorama. when
she told me she was Swiss, ! fanoied behelt
before me one of the wives or sisters of the he
roes OF chv Reutly. Dc yor, t,inE- sho knew
me = I am confident she Gid not, Sire. He
manner was too calm and too self-possessed. Sh'
had no suspicion in whose presence she was
At eleven o'clock, two porters, accompanied
by footman in imperial livery, arrived at th'
shop of Mademoiselle L.. The footman wa
the bearer of little billet, requesting that th'
lady would herself accompany the vases and re
ceive the payment for them. ....
And where am going'' said Mademoisell
l., trembling for on seeing the Impcria
livery she began to regret the freedom witt
which she had spoken to her customer In tn
- = morning. To the Elysee Napoleon, Mademoi
: selle, said the footman. The vases were care
). fully packed and delivered to the porters, an
y Mademoiselle l., accompanied by her brothe
followed them, trembling like an aspen leaf
:. yet she was iar from suspecting the whole truth
!, On arriving at the Elysee Napoleon, they wer
Immediately ushered into the Emperor's cabinet
: He took three bills of a thousand francs fror
~ his desk, and presenting them to Mademoisell
- l., said with smile, Another time Mac
emoiselle, do not be so ready to murmer at tn
stagnation of trade Then wishing her gooC
- morning he retired into his interior apartment