True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-08-06
AUGUST s, 1856.
HRNRIETTE ARMoNDa
NApotEoNs MERCY.

, q. NAPo1EONs MERCY. " '
Napoleon was conversing with Jose
phine, when one Of his officers entered
and announced young woman from
Lyons. ...s+ .
What is her business with met
'Some petition, answered De Merville,
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 folds of veil, was very beautiful.
She trembled as she approached the door.
Mademoiselle,' whispered her guide
kindly, pressing her hand, take courage,
but answer promptly every question the
Emperor proposes he detesls hesitation
o Then ushering her into the spacious
apartment, he bowed and retired. .
The trembling girl, perceiving Napo-
leon, OH whom her fondest hopes depend
ed, forgot herself and her tiInidity she
thought only of another. Throwing her.
self at the feet of Napoleon, she exclaimed,
in voice choked with emotion,
Mercy, sire; sue for mercy and
PARDON She could ar.iculate no more.
Josephine stepped from her partial
concealment, and then approaching the
ground, contributed more by her sympa-
thizing words of encouragement TO restore
the courage of the young petitioner, than
even the Emperor by his gracious man
ners as he bade her arise. ...5 @-.
Your petition, MademolSelle, said he.
Henrietle Almond (for that was her
name looked imploringly at the Emper.
or, and exclaimed, , .,. ,-. s..
'Ah, sire, ask pardon for Louis Do
lamarre, who is condemned to be shot
tomorrow! o! grant him your royal
pardon!' .n...@ 4
A cloud gathered on the brow Of Ma.
poleon, as he interrupted her with, .s
"A deserter, Mademoiselle he has
twice deserted. No, he must be made
an example for the rest of the regiment
But the cause of his desertion = cried
Henriette, in agony /: he was compelled
10 join the army against his will
What are the canses of his deserlion!'
interrupted Napoleon.
1.-TWO weeks since,' answered Henri
cite, 'he received news that an only re,
naming parent, mother, sire, was on
her death-bed, and longed day and night
to behold her son again. Louis knew
that relief or release from his post was
impossible. His mind was filled with
one thought she might close her
eyes forever, sire, before they rested on a
son she loved so fondly.'
did she die ? asked the Empress,
with interest. ..,.
mo, madame 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
hither. o! must he die! Mercy, sire,
beseech you =
Mademoiselle,' said Napoleon, appar-
emily soflened, this was the second
ofense name the first-you omitted
that .-, ... ,.s
1t was,' said she, hesitating and col
oring--' il was--that he heard that was
to marry Conrad Ferant, whom | detesI
as much as he does,' answered Henriette,
with naiuete. s..,
Are you his sister, that he feels SC
great an interest in your fate 2 asked the
Emperor. lrs,s
20. no, sire,' said Henriette, her love
ly cheeks assuming still deeper hue O
tho rose, I am only his cousin
'Ah! only his cousin repeated Ma
poleon, glancing at Josephine, with
half.surprnssed smile. d.
70, sire,' salu Henneite, recollec
the anguish of his widowed mother, wher
she recollects that the affection of bel
son for her is the cause of his death
What she continued, 'can do to sav,
him 2 and the poor girl, forgetting tht
presence of royalty, burst into tears. \.
The kind-hearted Josephine, glancine
at the Emperor with eyes expressive 0
pity and sympathy, noticed the working
Of his face, and felt at once it was very
uncertain whether Louis Delamarre wa
to be shot the next. morning.
Napoleon approached the weeping gir
-she hastily looked up and dried he
tears. ..>
Mademoiselle,' said be, 'would yo,
give your life for his! Would you die
could Louis Delamarre be restored to hi
liberty and his mother!" & Ii
Henriette started back, deadly pale
looked at the Emperor for moment, an,
turning away, she buried her lace in he
hands. =.
| After "a silence Of some minutes, Hen
riette looked up an air Of fixed deter
mination rested upon her face.
Il am willing, she said, in low voice
! Napoleon looked at her in surprise, .
if he had not anticipated so ready an an
swer TO bis proposal.
! i will see you again said he; /; 'in th
\ meantime, accept such apartments 70
your accommodation as | shall direct