Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-11-29
HEKRIETTE ARMOND;
n A ? 0 L EON' MERCY


phine, when one Of the officers entered
and announced young woman from.
Lyons.
what is her business with me?'
Some petition answered De Mervil]e,
the officer.
Show her into our presence said Ma
poleon.
The officer soon reappeared, with a
lady leaning on his arm, whose face, as
much as could be scanned through the
thick 'o!ds Of a veil, was very beautiful.
She trembled as she approached the
door.
'Mademoise|1e,' whispered her guide
kindly, pressing her hand, take courage,
but answer promptly every question the
Emperor proposes: he detests hesitation
Then u.hering her into the spacious
apartment, he bowed and retired.
The trembling girl, perceiving Napo.
leon, on whom her fondest hopes depen-
ded, forgot herself and her timid,y ; she
thought only of another. Throwing
herself at the feet Of Napoleon, she ex.
claimed, in a voice clloked with emotion
'Mercv, sire; / sue for mercy and par
dcn.' She could articu|ate no more.
Josephine stepped from her partial
concealment, and then approaching the
girl, contributed more by her sympathiz-
ing words of encouragement to restore
the courage Of the young petitioner, than
even the Emperor by his gracious man.
ners, az he bade her arise.
Your petition, Mademciselle,' said lie.
Henrie,te Almond, (or that was her
nsme,) looked imploring|y at the Empe-
ro-, and exclaimed
'Al, sire, ask pardon for Louis Del
amarre. who is condemned to be shot to-
morrow. o! grant him your royal par
don =
A cloud gathered on the brow of Ma
poleou, as he interrupted her with,
"a deserter, MademoiselIe; he has
twice deserted. No, lie mus, be made
an example for the rest Of the regiment.
But the cause OF his desertion 2 cried
Henriet,e, in agony; he was compelled
Ito Join the army against his will
What are the causes Of his desertion!
interrupted Napoleon.
Two weeks since, answered Henriette,
he received news that an only remain
inc parent, mother sire, was on her
death bed, and lonsed day and night to
behold her son again. Louis knew that
| relief or release from his pest was not to
be obtained, and deserted with one
tbought--that she mi ght not close ber
eyes forever, sire, before they rested on
son she loved so tondly.'
Did she die 2 asked the Empress,
with interest.
NO, malam,' replied Henriette, she
at last recovered. But hardly had Louis
received her blessing, and been folded in
her arms, ere he was torn from her grasp
BY the officers of Justice and dragged
haher. O! must he die! Mercy, sire,
l beseech you!'
'Mademoiselle,' said Napoleon, appa>
rently sottened, this was the second Of
fence name the tirst-you omitted that.
lit was,' said she, hesilating and col>
oripg, it was that he heard that | was
to marry Corad Ferant. whom l detest
as much as he does, answered Henriette,
with naivette.
Are you his sister, that he feels so
great an interest in your fate? asked the
Emperor.
o, no, sire,' said Henriette, her lovely
cheeks assuming a still deeper hue OF
the rose.
4 am only his cousin
.Ah only bis COUSIN repeated Napo-
leon, gIancng at Josephine, with halt
suppressed smile. .....
%, no, sire,' said Henriette. 'recollect
the anguish Of his widowed mother, when
she reflects tha: the affection Of her son
for her is the cause of his death. What.
can do to save him 2 and the poor
girl forgetting the presence Of royalty,
burst into tears.
The kind hearted Josephine, g|ancing
at the Emperor with eyes expressive OF
pity and sympathy, noticed the workings
Of his face, and felt at once it was very
uncertain whether Louis Delamarre was
to be shot the next morning.
Napoleon approached the weeping
gil-s she hastily looked up and dried
her tears. .. ..... ....-
'M.demoiselle,' said he, would you
give your life for his /? Would you die,
could Louis Delamarre be restored to
liberty and his nother!' ..
Henrie:te started back, deadly pale,
looked at the Emperor for moment,
and tarnin9 away. she buried her face in