, 1859-03-26
The Emperor Of Haytf and the Author

The Emperor Of Hay1f and the A utI or
Of Camille--A Romantic Historical
Epia0des
lFrum The Par'. Correspondence ii the n y. Express
Alexander Dumas, Senior, writes to one Of his
friends that his return from Russia may be
daily looked for; and here we 70 back again to
the late Sovereign Of Hayti. | know it is I'LL
kind to commence an apparently new para
graph, and then trcacherously fall agnin upon
the same theme which has already been treated
ut more than usual length. But tic name Of
Alexander Dumas, suggests something in con-
nection with Faustin aud his family, something
SO conica]. that nm sure you will not be sorry
to hear it.
This happened about four years ago. Sou.
louque sent an Envoy 10 France, charged with
private mission, and armed with full powers.
Shortly after the sable Minister'S urriyal, he
caused himself to be presented TO Alexander
Dumas, Sen, whose papa, as everybody knows,
or ought to know, was magnificent General,
Of IL lnofasscs color. Dumas, Sen, il j shade
lighter than was his parent, being Of Il saddle
tint, and Dumas, Jr., son Of Dumus, Sen, pre-.
tends to be almost white. So he is-in the dark.
The Hayticn Envoy, after automatically beat
ing about the bush fur considerable time,
finally came to business, and wound up by in
forming the astonisled novelist that Ills {thc
envoy 81 mission to France was for the purpose
Of demanding the hand in marriage Of Dumas,
Jr., for her Imperial llighness, the Princess
Olive. daughter Of the Emperor Of ull the
Haytis.
mas, thunderssruck. "Goodness gracious
be insane! l say you must be-
He paused. The fact is, the author Of Monte
Christie bears the cnyiuble reputation Of never
huying deliberately said disagrceablc word to
anybody, so he simply added, By way Of saying
somsthlnFE ;h' +; ats impossible, sir Utterly I'M
"Why:" demanded the envoy.
Why y?"-Because-hum! because my sons
origin is too obscure for him to dream Of such
an honor!' And papa Dumas Thought this Il
triumphant piece Of cunning.
"Sothing Of the sort, sir! And, after nl,'
continued the envoy, with engaging molesty,
"wl!at arc we' Only parvcnus: | mys self once
pcddled oysters! You wouldn't imagine it,
know; but it's fact. Besides, sir, If We were
to den,and Prince we should be refused; or,
at all events, be fnbbcd otiwith IN old and ugly
one. 4 2ltrasy Frincc-that's the ticket! lie
NAV write us many books and plays down there
ns he chooses"
1'apa Dumas, terribly embarrassed, scratched
Lis eur, and ut last said:
"Listcn to me. | know Alexander tolcrably
well. Lie is continually growing abnut my
ignorance Of business: and, us for tnking wife
upon my recommendation, he would laugh at
the bare idea. Suppose NC ask Thompson to
break the subject to hing"
The envoy was satisfied will, this plan. and
Thompson was forthwith desired to repeat the
proposition to Dumas. Jr. Dumas, Jr., sworc
that Thompson must be crazy, and ordered the
servant to 70 for doctor.
Nonsense" intcrposed Thompson, II am
perfectly sane; it is Hou who arc crazy. to re-
fuse such splendid opportunity. Think Of
fortune Of several millfons!'
Bull" rctorted Dumas, Jr "Too risky!
Ifthe old darkey should pen to be detIlroncd,
would be Obliged TO support the whole family"
Not at all" replied tile saSAcious Thonp-
son. ~ You risk nothing whatever In case Of
the little accident you mention, you could take
the whole concern over to the United States,
and sell 'em!"