Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-07-10

was polite and aiIablo to all. and took especial /
pains not 20 give offence TO any. She had /
seen Pfline but twice in three years-once /
at the farm and once in Paris and on those (
occasions she behaved so codly, and gave I
Pauline so distinctly 90 understand that she |
did not wish the acquaintance kept up, that /
the poor girl after one paroxysm of grief, bad 4
resigned herself TO the idoa of being forgot /
ten by her impcrous aud wilful cousin
The spring of 1914 had come; and Napo-
leon, whose veteran troops had porished amid /
the SHOWS Of Russia, with a few thousand /
raw recruits, making those prodigious
displays Of military genius which kept the
millions Of the allies at bay, and excited the
admiration even Of his bitterest foes. Beset
on all sides by overwhelming numbers, and
betrayed 10y some Of his best officers. his spirit
was aroused to a pitch Of energy such as he
had never before exhibited. The enthusiasm
of the old days of Lodi's bridge aud Arcola's
marshes once more stirred his soul, and the
marvels of the Italian campaigns were repro
duced on a larger scale, aud llOodier fields.
The rapidty Of his movements. the consum-
mate skill of his combinations, and the ter
rife energy with which he dealt his blows, so
bewildered and appalled, his multitudinous
foes. that the allies named him the hundred
hoasaa9-m-n man-that being the number Of
soldiers to which they considered him alone
cqaal.
In their mauuuvres and marches. the armies
sometimes came so near the hamlet in which
Hudolt lived. that the roar of battle would
often make his windows rattle. Those were
exciting times for farmers. They would quit
their work, gather around in groups, and talk
over the battles in which many of them had
fought under the Little Corporal as they
all delighted to call the Emperor. And as.
day after day, fresh accounts came of his
wonderful achievements. the old military fire
was aroused and the farmers talked Of form
/ ing a company and marching to his camp But
one evening sad news camc-Marmont had
surrendered Paris; and they now knew that
the Little Corporal's doom was closing round
him He could have overthrown a hostile
world in arms, but how could he withstand
domestic treachery One evening after the
knot Of neghbors, now accustomed to gather
at Hudclt's had dispersed, and the family
were about TO retire, trampng of horses
was heard without, and soon the clank and
Jingle of metal sounded on the air The fam
ily ran to the windows, and saw by the bright
moonlight troop of horsemen winding along
the road. IIudelt, gazing a moment, exclaim-
cd, Mother of my soul it is he = and rush
ed from the house At the same moment, all
recognized in the leader of the troops the
well-k known outline of Napoleon's form The
farmer saluted his old commander; the com
pany hautcd they dismounted; the horses
were hitched to the fence and while the
Emperor entered the house with his old com
rade, the troopers eagerly stretched them
selves on the grass by the roadside.
Napoleon at once put the family at their
ease by the simplicity and cordiality of his
! greeting and when Marie at a signal from
her husband retired with him to the kitchen,
che declared the Emperor was not half 81
Il much "stuok up as neir ola landlord After
rapidly surveying the room, Napoleon stepped
1 to Pauline's side, and gently pinching hei
r check, asked if she remembered him, and with
out waiting for a reply, said
''Hudelt has used you we'll, hope You
cousin has done finely; but she has not mar
i ried marshal yet. Have you married a peas
/ anti"
Pauline blushed, and exchanged glances o
IS embarrassment with Pierre Napoleon a
once detected this mannuyre, and again pinch
ing Pauline's check, said, "Ah. ! see. Hol
ID will do well. These roses on your chez
t. have their roots in your heart. Very good
g. Had the world known of your choice a fc'
W months since, it would have said, How fool
t. ish What insanity! But you were wise
ID Hudolt. the Independent farmer, is better o
$. tonight, than Nopoleon, the betrayed En-
c. peror." Then folding his arms upon his breas
r he strobe impatiently back and forth acros
IS the floor.
- In short time Hudelt returned, and spok
in low voice to his old commander, VIII
] said ''Very good" Hudelt then went an
ut spoke to the officers lounging on the gras
ch who Immediately sprang up and followed IN
ne to the best room in the house, where bea'
gu tiful rustic repast was spread, of which ii
r. Emperor was already partaking. Not a woi
We was spoken for several minutes At last NJ
be poloon abruptly said
VS. 'You are a fortunate man. Hudelt. Acc
ar dent prevented battle in this neighborhoo
lst else your farm would have been spoiled for
year, your orchard and crops destroyed, al
ID, perhaps all your lives sacrificed. Part of n
of force are not very long march from yo
he door now, and the enemy are everywhere.
have been accommodating all around you, b
1T, you may rest in peace no shot will be fir
nd. here; it would be useless waste of life.
lch have been betrayed This repast is oppC
on tune. for we have had little time to cat
The dav. Come" addressing his companion
I'm. and advancing to the door "time presses.
ler As he walked to his horse he met PAUL
it and Pierre coming from the gate, and sa
sin "Kiss me for the last time, my little one.
be Had your father lived, and been in comma
of Paris, the destiny Of France might ha
been changed
A jinghng Of spurs and sabres' trampli
of hoois, and the vision was gone. No {
he in that house ever saw Napoleon more
ans the plate of which he ate, the cup from VIII
its he drank, and the chair on which he sat,
on stl treasured in the family as the most pr
and less hoirlooms of the past.
ears
L., CHAPTER III.
rro THE urAn1yG or urE RppLEs.
red Two years moro had passed. Napol'
rish had returned from Elba, given the heredit
his thrones Of Europe their last shaking, b
ntry sent to his far-of prison, and the hated Bo
cad bon again sat on the throne Of his ancest'
here But tho Parisians seemed TO have forgot
ance those events and were merry. Grand par
into were given, and the grandest of all the sea
1.-THE was now to be held in honor Of young n
,eot- olist and poet, whose praises were sounded
she every tongue. His name was Pierre Hud
ssed and his young wife, Pauline, was the belle
[ario Paris When the party broke up, at Y