Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-12-08
NAPOLEON AND DURoC.
FROM s'MILLER'S LIFE OF NAPOLEON. >

tROA ''MlL1iER'0 LIFE OF NAPOLEON.'
NAPOLEON was very fond of walking in the
streets of Paris incognito, in search of ad-
ventures. On these occasions he generally
wore a round hat and long blue coat, in
which his appearance was not altogether
prepossessing. In consequence of this, he
was occasionally received with GOODNESS and
indifference to which in propria persona he
was unaccustomed. Once, shortly before
Christmas, he arose as early as seven, and
accompanied by Duroc, Grand Marshal of
the Palace, twho wore the same sort of dis
guise as Naso'eon, , left the Tuilleries, lust
as day was HIaking. After walk through
the Palace tendome, thence to the Rue de
Napoleon, where he much admired the
splendid mansions which had been recently
erected there; chatting familiarly, he OBJ
served to Duroc:
1T seems that the Parisians in this guar
ter are extremely lazy, to keep their Shops
shut at this time of day"
Discoursing thes, they arri we'd at the
Chinese bathrooms, which had been recently
painted and embellished. AS they were
criticising the exterior, the cafe which be-
longed to the establishment opened
Suppose we enter and breakfast hare"
said Napoleon to Duroc what do you say?
And without waiting for an answer, Napo-
leon entered the cafe, took seat at table,
called for the waiter, and ordered g mutton
chop and bottle of chamberlin wine; and
having breakfasted heartily, and taken cup
of coffee, which he protested was better than
he was supplied with at the TuIlleries, he
called thewaiter and demanded the bill,
saying to {Duroc, PAY and let Us return
now ;" then rising and going TO the door, he
! began to whistle an Italian recitative, endeav-
oring to appear at ease The Grand Marshal
| rose at the same time but after fruitlessly
/ searchingshis pockets, found that after having
dressed in haste, he had forgotten his purse,
/ and he well knew that Napoleon never car
ried any money about him. Nevertheless,
! the waiter came and presented the bill TO the
( Grand Marshal, who stood mute with sur
prise at not being able to discharge it, altho'
/ the amount was only twelve francs. Napo-
( leon, not knowing what detained Duroc, aud
not accustomed to be kept waiting, re-enter-
ed, saying impatiently:
Come, make haste-it is late"
The Grand Marshal now comprehending
the unpleasant situation in which he was
placed, and thinking the best way to get out
of it was TO avow frankly his inability to dis
charge the debt, approached the mistress OF
the cafe, (who was silent and Indifferent at
the counter and said politely and confus-
edly:
Madame, my friend arJ myself left home
this morning a little precipitately, and We
quite forget 10 bring our purses; but I give
YOU my word that in the course of an hour
I will send you the amount of your BILL
'.It may be SO, sir coolly replied The
LADY, but know neither of you and we are
every day taken in, in this manner Do you
think that"
Madame, Interrupted the Grand Marshal
reddeuing with anger at this answer, eve
are men of honor, officers of the guard
'Oh yes, fine excuses truly-oficcrs OF th'
guard indeed :"
at these words, men Of honor and officer
of the guard which Napoleon had over
heard, be turned round, and in voice whicl
had caused heroes to tremble, demanded
"What is all this about p
But, at a sign from Duroc, he remained
impatiently where he was. The waiter nov
stepped forward and volunteered to be ans
werable for the debt, with which assuranc
the mistress of the cafe was satisfied. Duro
regarded the young man with surprise, anC
drawing from his pocket watch encirclet
with brilliants, said to the obliging waiter
My friend, you have acted nobly; keel
this watch till return to recompense you.
Sir" SAID the waiter, Il have no wish t
take it. l feel convinced that you are bot
men of honor"
Good, my FRIEND" said the Grand Mar
shal, ''you shall never repent your conf
dence in u.s. He then rejoined the Empe
ror.
Duroc recounted the particulars of the ad
venture to Napoleon, who laughed heartily
and was pleased with the generosity of th
poor waiter, who had become security fo
them without knowledge who they were. Q
their way to the Palace, they stopped at th
Passage des Panoramas, which was then on
of the most elegant passages or covered way
in Paris. There shop attracted the attentio
of Napoleon, 1t contained fine collectio
of porcelain vases. Two superb ones wer
exposed to view, and appearing to the EN-
, peror very tasteful, he entered the shop an
demanded the price. The mistress of tn
, shop, with a sneer on her countenance
coolly asked if he wished to purchase them.
"Why, madame, should not have aske
, the price, unless | had thought of purch;
sing them," said Napoleon. irritated by th
imputation ofthe woman.
-Four thousand francs, (e160,) not
= farthing less, monsieur"
-Four thousand francs, that is horribl
: dear, madame much too dear for me -
e And touching his hat. he was about
leave the shop, when the naercha,,de, wit
: her hands in her pockets, added sarcastica
ly:
e ''They cost me five thousand but is bett,
. TO sell at cost these times than to stary,
: There are fine doings now a days. alwa.
t war all the world IS complaining Blu:
: ness is at stand still now, and the shopkee
@ ers are ruined; but we 90 not pay less ia
= es"
Il During this address Napoleon's count
nance bcame highly expressiye-his ey