The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-07-25

By MAhI LEE.

1
IN One magnificent morning in the year
ID 1911, couple Of little girls, not more tn;
to thirteen years Of age, sat crying by Il
Q, roadside, some distance beyond the Bos
Boulogne, near Paris. These children nuc
rescmbled each other, but were yet qui
dissimilar. They both had dark brow
= hair, large dark. bright eyes, and clear con
plexions; both were tall, slender and grac
ful, and of the same height and size; br
T. the brow of one was high and broad, viii
r. the others was low and narrow; one had
: sweet, intelligent, and loving expression {
E countenance, indicative of judgment an
fortitude; while the looks of the other d.
noted fiery impetuosity and reckessnes
: that would give very great energy in sud
den emergency, but which would soon wea
ry under continued annoyances.
As the children sat crying by the road
+ side, with their arms about each other
necks, an elderly, honest-looking farme
came singing around curve in the roat
which had hidden them from his view; ant
astonished by the sudden apparition Of tn
little weepers. he stopped short, and cx
claimed
"What now, my pretty ones? has tn
mother-bird flown away: or have you stray
I
"Alasi we are orphans-Pauline and ],
said the low -browed one. "We have nobo
dy to care for us. We have come out here
10 dic."
''Soul OF my mother" exclaimed the no.
nest farmer, throwing up his hands "spi-
rits so young, and vet so weary of the
wing! Who could have imagined it? Are
you sisters?'
No" replied the one that had been call
cd Pauline; Camille is my cousin, sir; her
father was my mothers brother"
} BY Kind questioning Jean Hudelt tior that
was the farmers name) learned that the lit
tie orphans had come from Providence to
Paris Hi'h the mother Of Pauline, to find an
uncle, who would have protected them but
alas the good man had died before their
arrival. And the mother and aunt soon died
also: and now they were left alone, without
friend in the world. And Camille again
said they wanted to die; but Pauline said
her mother had taught her TO trust in God,
and that she sh0Hd trust in Him.
How intelligent they seem - soliloquized
the farmer" and so handsome, too. But
Pauline is the angel, while Camille is the de-
vii in pantalettes-that is plain enoughst u
be seen. / can't leave them here to die
poor things, Nor can | support them at~
home. Ny good Marie would welcome
them, 10 be sure, as she would any suffering
creature bat that would not keep them and
US from starving. | wish the good jose
phine was still Empress, then | would take
them to her; but the blue-eyed wife Of the
Emperor is as cold and sour as a Dutch
cheese-besides she don'rknow that | saved
her husbands life in Egypt"
At that moment an open carriage, drawn
by six milk-white horses, dashed around the
cnrve in the road; and as Hudelt leaped to
one side 10 avoid being run over, he lecog-
niZed in the occupants OF the carriage, the
Emperor ard Empress, who were taking
their accustomed morning drive, with only
n postillion and twb footmen for their at
tendants. Napoleon had also recognized in
the farmer, the old soldier Of Italy and
Egypt; and with one OF those democratic i'm
pulses, which gave him such a hold upon
the masses, he ordered the postillion to rein
up, and then beckoned 10 Hndelt to ap-
proach.
Hudelt believing his old commander to be
both omnipotent and omniscient, was fright
ened lest he had OWNED his uncOmplimenta-
ry reflections upon the character Of his ''new
blue-eyed wife; but telling the children to
stay where they were, he approached the
carriage with huttering heart. The En-
peror's manner at once re-assured him,
however. Napoleon extended his hand, and
cordially grasping that Of the farmer, said,
"Ah, my brave comrade is it you them
And you have beat your sword into a
ploushshare, eh: But as you were not a
lancer, whore did you get your pruning
hook :" Then gaily pinching the cheek OF
Marie Louise, he laughingly added" You
see that | am familiar with the prophets
al Efa
Do you not love him? / like to meet my
old braves thus, in the garb Of peace, and
smelling OF clover. But tell me-" he said
more seriously, "are you prospering HUI
dets Are you safe against want, in case of
blight or sickncssg Confide in me-"
The good farmer, overwhelmed by this
spontaneous kindness on the part of his re-
nowned master, could hardly articulate a
word. But he finally managed to say, that
he did not own the farm he worked, and /
that ne was far from being prepared for any ,
misfortune. As soon as the Emperor un- |
derstood this much, he impetuously inter !
rupted liudelt and said, Leave that to me. .
Give me your address. Your family shall ,
be provided for before the sun goes down.
And now, have you any particular request 1
to make! Speak. Don't hesitate. We did .
not hesitate at Lodi, nor at Mount Tabor,
did we?-eh, Hudelt?" said Napoleon, with .
a beaming smile.
While the Emperor was speaking, Hudelt
had been earnestly thinking of the two or
phans, and wondering whether he had, bet
ter present their case TO his old commander.
Napoleon's- last words and friendly smile
gave him courage, and he said, ,-"Yes. sir,
have request to make, bat not for my
self"
"For whom, then:" quickly said Napo-
eon.
Hudelt stated the case of the orphans;
and the Emperor at once said, Bring them
hither, and tell them who | am, asyou come
along"
In few moments the children stood be-
ore the imperial pair. Camille, who Seem
ID intensely delighted at the idea of having
ler case taken up by such distinguished
1ersonages, came eagerly forward; but Pau
Inc drew timidly back, and tried to hide be-
lind the farmer. Napoleon, who was per-
laps the best Judge of human nature that
,vcr lived, and who could utter the most
gallant and complimentary things that ever
ell from mortal lips, at once noted the diff
ereuce between the characters of the two
,iildren; and beckoning to Pauline, he said
With loving smile,-"Ah, my pretty one;
low fresh and innocent you are! What as
lie ne,es from Hedren ?" /
The child understood the compliment
he b1ushed scarlet, and again shrank behind
he farmer. -i
"And you, my eagletl' said the Emperor,
,azing into Camile's luminous eyes" how h
Iare you rob the sky Of its brightest stars!";
Camille blushed, also; it was coqnetlish
,iush; and she did not try to hide it, but
ave the Emperor a grateful and admiring
"Weli, my brave comrade," said Napole-
m, turning to Hudelt; "what is to be done
With these little fairies? We cannot leave
hem wandering here. Hold! l have it
Ior, p,r little ones You knnW who am | .