Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-04-22
The Emperor of Hayti and the
Author of Camille---A Roman
tic Historical Episode.

TIC H1SC0r1cal EPISODE.
From the Paris Correspondence of Ny. Express
Alexander Dumas, Senior, writes to on
of his friends that his return from Russii
may be daily looked for and here we G,
back again to the late Sovereign of Hayti
l know it is unkind to commence an ap
parently new paragraph, and then treach
srously fall again upon the same theme
which has already been treated at more
than usual length But the name of lex
ander Dumas, suggests something in con
nection with Faustin and his family, some.
thing SO comical, that am sure you will
not be sorry to hear it.
This happened about four years ago.
Soulouque sent an Envoy to France charg
ed with private mission, and armed with
full powers. Shortly after the sable Min
ister's arrival, he caused himselfto be pre-
sented to Alexander Dumas, Sen., whose
papa, as everybody knows, or ought to
know, was magnificent General of mo
lasses color. Dumas, SEN, is shade ligh-
ter than was his parent, being of saddle
tint, and Dumas, Jr., son of Dumas, Sen
pretends to be almost white. So he is
in the dark.
The Haytien Envoy, after diplomatical-
ly beating about the bush for consider
able time, finally came to business, and
wound up by informing the astonished
novelist that his (the envoy's) mission to
France was for the purpose Of demanding
the hand in marriage of Dumas, Jr., for
her Imperial Highness, the Princess Olive,
daughter of the Emperor of all the Hayts.
"The hand of Alexander" cried father
Dumas, thunderstruck. "Goodness gra-
cious Gracious goodnessl The colored
pusson must be insane ! say you must
be"
He paused The fact is, the author of
Monte Christie bears the enviable reputa-
tion of never having deliberately said dis
agreeable word to anybody, so he simply
added, by way ofsaying something "It's
impossible, sir Utterly impossible u
"Why?' demanded the envoy.
Observation-Disclosures my
sons origin il too obscure for him to dream
of such an bonorI' And papa Dumas
thought this triumphant piece of cum
ming.
"Nothing of the sort, sir And, after
all" continued the envoy, with engaging
modesty, "what are zee? Only parvenus.
I myself once peddled oysters You
wouldn't imagine it l know but it's fact
Besides, sir, five were to demand Prince
We should be refused or, at all events, be
fobbed off with an old and ungly one A
literary Prince--that's the ticket He
may write as many books and plays down
there as he chooses"
Papa Dumas, terribly embarrassed,
scratched his ear, and at last said
"Listen to me. know Alexander toll
erably we'll He is constantly growing
about my ignorance ofbusiness, and, as for
taking wife upon my recommendation,
he would laugh at the bare idea. Suppose
we ask Thompson to break the subject to
him?"
The envoy was satisfied with his plan,
and Thompson was forthwith desired to
repeat the proposition to Dumas Jr.
Dumas Jr. swore that Thompson must be
crazy, and ordered the servant to go for
doctor
"Nonsensel" interposed Thompson, ~
am perfectly sane; it is you who are crazy,
to refuse such a splendid opportunity.
Think ofa fortune of several millions"
"Hahl" retorted Dumas, Jr. "Too riskyl
IF the old darkey should happen to be de-
throned, l would be obliged to support the
whole fomily."
"Not at all" replied the sagacious
Thompson, "You risk nothing whatever