The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-19

Corporal Trompette obtains Promotion.
There is something unusual going on at the
lodge of Corporal Trompette. He and his
spouse are furnishing themselves up after q
are about to pay visit of ceremony. They
have been too much accustomed to the chances
of war, however, and to the exctements of gen.
eral engagements, to be in the least Hurried
whilst making their preparations, which, ac-
cordingly, they accomplish in the most method
ical manner. But it is easy to perceive their
spirits are elated. The Sergeant-major huns a
martial air as she adjusts her cap and curls,
and the Corporal does not consider it beneath
his dignity to join in chorus, now and then.
"Come, old grumbler," says Madame from
petite, pulling her husbands moustache, after
the old familiar fashion ascribed to the EN-
peror, art soon ready?"
He is busy dressing his hair with piece of
yellow soap. He has a weakness for curl at
the side of his temples, and his hair requires
coaxing.
"Half turn to the right, quick mar-r-rch
Pm ready, Sergeant" he says.
"And here's Name Reynaud, just in time, "
exclaims she, opening the door to the new
conner.
Madame Reynaud is porteress at an adjoin-
ing house, and has kindly agreed to oblige her
dear friends by taking charge of their lodge du.
ring their absence. In reply to inquiries, she
gives a satisfactory account of her health, and
hopes that the Corporal and his wife may have
good luck.
1t can't be but for something good, Maine
Reynaud," replies the Sergeant-major, that
we've been sent for by the Prince President.
He's not proud at all, you see. Just like his
uncle. And that's why we all loved him."
"Who knows" chimes in the Corporal, "who
knows but we may have another Emperor
One never can tell how these revolutions are to
end"
"Eh, but that is certain, old moustache," re-
certain than that we shall both live to cry Viue
| pEmpereur! Viue Napoleon! again and again.
But we must not stop gossiping here. Attons.
En- route"
| 1t is pleasant to see the martial couple 90
down the street. Madame Trompette is evi.
IDENTIFY proud of her lord, and gratifed at the
compliments paid her, on his good looks this
morning, by more than one of her neighbors
The Corporal too, it is easy to perceive, takes
a pride in the military stride and carriage OF
his spouse, and smiles upon her continually
| Their road lies across the Pont Neuf, where
they stop to look at the equestrian statue Of
Henri Quatre They turn to their left when
they have passed the bridge, and proceed up
the quay, past the Louvre, and on until they
reach the gate of the gardens of the 7aileries
They turn in here, and the Corporal reminds
his spouse of their having stood under the
great balcony there, when the Emperor Napo
leon presented his bride, Marie Louise, k
the people. Madame Trompette remembers the
circumstances perfectly well, but expresses II
as her opinion that Josephine was worth q
dozen Austrian dolls like her, and thinks the
poor dear body was very badly treated. The
Corporal is aware that this is a sore point with
her he therefore dexterously changes the sub
ject of conversation. They turn into the broad
avenue, and make their way to the Place de ID
Concorde. Here Madame Trompette becomes
critical on the position of the Obelisk-she call
it the O6elicks-which she says spoils the view
up the Champs Elysees, and eclipses the Dir,
de Triomphe. She is decidedly skeptical as Il