Squatter sovereign., 1855-04-10

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suming more than its usual sternness; for
hardly anything more provoked him than
hesitation on the part of those he address
ed.
absence against orders, sire. replied
Colon"
..Aha! for how long2 Is that izis
ayes, sire; only few hours"
"a few hours! Who gave this order,
thens''
"General s., sire"
"What character does the man bear2"
"He is brave man, sire"
"He is Frenchman, retorted Napole-
on, proudly;" ''but is he honest, and sober,
and generally obedient2"
'sYes, sire, this is his first fault"
"Hem! how long has he serveds"
"Three years last March, sire"
"A louder and higher toned HEM es-
capped Napoleon; and his attention was at
the same moment attracted by Reaumer,
who with ti,nid step. had approached the
Emperor; and, kneeling on one knee, with
clasped hands and broken voice, cried,
"Oh. sire, if you-if you would spare his
Gfe-he is innocent of-any intention to
|desert-that cam"
"Are you his brother?" interrupted the
Emperor.
"No sire" answered Reaumer-his friend
his dear friend"
"And how know you what his intentions
were?"
''He told them me, sire; he only went
last night to see his friends, and would have
returned the same night, but that II ad-
vised him to meet the regiment at Labarre;
and know
"And what business hadst thou to ad-
wise comrade in breach of duty? Stand
back to thy place"
And Reaumer retired covered with
shame. Napoleon beckoned Jean to him.
He came and Rollo with him, and the lat
ter, as though understanding the power and
authority of the man his master thus obey
ed, put his forepaws against his stirrup, and
whimpered imploringly up to him. Jean
looked for moment in the Emperor's face,
but his gaze dropped, though without quail
ing, beneath that of the piercing, large
gray eyes that were fixed on him. After
a short pause, Napoleon asked,
"Thine age? Lie down; down good
dog!" for Rollo was getting importunate.
Twenty five years, SIRE" Jean answer
ed.
"Why hast thou disobeyed orders7"
81 could not help it SIRE
"Could'nt help it, How dost thou
mean?"
81 was SO near my friends, and so longed
to see them, that indeed could not help it,
SIRE"
"'Tis strange excuse. Down! say,
good brute!" but, at the same moment that
he said so, he ungloved his hand, and
gave it to Rollo to lick, then, after short
pause, added, "And thou sawest thy pa
rents?"
"Yes, sire, and was returning to the
regiment, when"
"Ah. is this true, sergeant" turning to
Colon.
eyes sire; tits true,'' answered he. "We
met him about three quarters of league
from--"
81 need not have asked though" inter
rupted Napoleon. THE mans face looks
true. Thy names" again addressing
Jean.
"Jean Geyard, sire. Down Rollo. fea1
he is troublesome to your highness."
Napoleon smiled-perhaps at the title
and answered, "No, no; poor Rollo, he is
fine dog. shall inquire into this affair
Gevard, for the present respite thee"
Jean knelt on his knee, and seized the
Emperor's hand to kiss it; but Napoleon
said, s.Stay, stay; the 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 brave man sir :
said he, turning to a young officer at his
side, on whose features the Emperor's side
glance had caught nascent smile: aFor.
ward" and at full gallOp the party left the
ground.
jeans feelings at this sudden escape
from death, were like those of a man ava.
kened from frighlful dream, before hi.
senses are yet enough gathered togethe,
lso remember al iss circumstances. Jesz