Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-12-19
HIEEREETTE ARmoND,
NAP0LE0N;S MERCY.

"neu Vlie ol tue olieeis entered and annoHil-
eed young woman from Lyons.
'What is her business with ne9'
Some petition, answered De Merville,
the officer.
'shcw her into our presence said Napoi
con.
The officer soon reappeared, with lady
leaning upon bis arm, whose face, as much
as could be scanned through the thick
fa!ds of q veil, was very beautiful. She
trembled as she approached fhe door.
'Mademoiselie, whispered her gnide
kindly. pressing her hand, 'take courage,
but answer promptly every question the En-
\ Peror proposes; he detests hesitation.
/ Then ush2ring her into the spacious apart
ment, he bowed and retired.
The trembling girl, pereeiving Napoleon
on whom her fondcst hopes depended, for
got herself and her iimidity, she thought
only of another. Throwing herself at the
feet Of Napoleon, she exclaimed in a voice
choked with emotion
Mercy, sire; | sue for mercy and par
donp She eould articulate 10 more.
Josephine stepped from her palatial con-
eealmeqr, and then approaching the girl,
contributed norebg her sylopathisiug word,
of encouragement to restore the courage Of
the yeung petitioner, than evc2fhe Emper-
Or b. bis gracious manners, sAe bade he.
arise.
Your petition, Mademoiselle,' said be-.
I Henrietfe Almond, (for that was her
name,l looked iiuplor;ugy at the Emperor
and exclaimed
'Ah, sire, ask your pardon for Loui,
+ nelamarfo, who is condemned to be shot to-
niorror. Q grant him youl royal par
don
A cloud gathered ou the brow of Napo-
leon, as he interrupted her with:
\ dcserter, Mademoisele; be has twice
4 deserted No, be must be made an exam
4 pie for the rest Of the regiment
But tie cause Of bis desertionn cried
/ IIenriotte, ia agony; 'he was compelled to
io;n the army against his Will
What are the causes Of lis dcsertion'-
io;errupted Napoleon,
'Tro weeks since answered Henriette
she received news that an euIy remaining
4 pa rent, mother, sire, was on her death
bed. and longed day and night 10 behold bel
son agah. Louis kaew that relief or release
from his post was not 70 be obtained, an
deserted with one tbought---thal she might
not close her eyes forever, sire, before they
rested OH a son she loved 50 foudIy.'
Did she dicl' asked the Empress, with in
tcrest.
M, Madam,' replied Henrette, 'she at
last recovered. But hardly had Louis re
ceived her blessing, aud been folded in her
arlps, ere be was torn from her grasp by the
officers of justice aud dragged bither- O.
must be dies Mercy, sire, ] beseeeh d
you'
.MademoseIle,' said Napoleon, apparent
" softe''ed, ans was 'ne see"na oueuee'
name Inc hFst--5ou omitted 'H'''
IL was, said she, hesitatlng and coiorina
it was that be heard was to marry Con
rad Feraut, whom detest as much as he
docs, answered Hcnriette, with na,vette
ARE you h's sister, mat pe lee's . sfe4'
an interest ~ youf lale' @SAeu 'ae i''i'Po'
or
s0,nc, sire.' said Henrlette, her lovely
cheeks assuming still deeper hue OF the
rose, 4 am only his cousin
sAh only his cousin.' repeated Napoleon
eancing at Josephine, with a balf-suppress-
cd smile
90 sire,' said Henriette, 'recollect the
anguish of his widowed mother, when she
reflects that the affection of her son for her
is the cause of his death What sue con-
tinued, .can | do to save HING aud the poor