The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1861-03-28

In this marquee, surrounded by books anC
papers, sat the future emperor. He wa,
dressedin the uniform of general of the ma
tional guards, but above this uniform was
drawn that famous gray greatcoat which if
now as much identified with the glory of the
wearer as is the bridge ofLodi or the blood
stained fields of Austerlitz and Marengo.-
The general vas sealed a smkll eross.
legged and portable table which had already
followed his fortunes through many bloody
campaign, drawing lines and marks upon a
chart Of the Alps and Northern Italy, which
he soon expected to vanquish. A look Of
care was upon his features; but that small
gray eye still shone out as brilliantly as of
old, and seemed to look into the misty womb
of the very future, as he mused upon his
wild career. All at once the officer of the
day made his appearance at the entrance of
the marquee, and drawing aside the canvass
door that screened its inmate from the in
trusive gaze ofthe curious, informed the
general that two persons had come to the
picquets and earnestly besought TO see him
on business of the utmost importance.
'What sort of looking people are they2"
quietly demanded Napoleon.
"One is middle aged man, rough look.
ing customer, sire; the other a mere lad, as
delicate as lady. The youngster has
casket which he declares he must present to
you in person"
Hem Let him be shown in" said Bona
parte, abruptly, and the officer departed,
while the general arose from the table, and
thrusting his right hand in the breast of his
walstcoat, commenced slowly striding to and
fro his marduee, evidently lost in deep
thought.
"Hem a present, eh2' he muttered. II
must look to this Bah do they expect to
take the Corsican by surprise2 We shall
see."
just at this moment the officer of the dav
returned, bringing with him the two persons
who turned out to he the travellers who were
introduced to the reader in the opening of
our tale.
General" said the youth, bowing low in
humility, "allow me to present you this cas-
iet of jewels, sent you by one of your admir-
'rS. | have borne it avery great distance
n order to present it in person."
"Hem!" said Napoleon, while his keen,
'ray eye was fixed upon the bearer, whats
n it ch2''
Jewels, sirc-jewcls ofrarc value"
"Hem what are they2"
Diamonds and rubies."
"How do you know that?"
81 was told so by the person who entrus-
cd them to my charge have no doubt of
t."
"Open the box, then, and let me sec,"
uckly remarked Napoleon, while his keen
ye shone, if possible, still brighter
Excuse me, sire, replied the young man
'hlle his checks assumed paler hue, u I
'as told that it must be opened by you in '
erson. cannot open the box
bah why not2' asked Bonaparte, alter
ately scrutinizing the casket and its bear n
r.
But the future emperor had ever been no. a
ID for his shrewdness, and his resolve was
lken. V
';Go out of the marquee, both of ye," he "
red, IN a stern tone "And Major Lupree," V
the officer of the day" take these two per- 6
ms under your charge, and keep them un- t'
further ORDERS" il
Left to himself, Napoleon steadily regard b
the box for some moments in silence. At Il
ugth a smile broke over his features, as if n
me happy idea had suddenly stricken him, e'
I'd taking down long fshing-pole from ii
le side of the marquee, where it was sus- tt
'nded in beckets of leather, he placed one
ID to the ring in the lid of the box, while
C other extended some distance outside the a
'or of the marquee. Stepping to the fur c.
er end of the pole Napoleon seized it, and d
wing it sudden push the lid of the box CT
Is thrown open, and dozen pistols went b
at the same instant, and shower of bull II
s went whizzing about the apartment in u
cry direction. The pistols had been set in II
horizontal position in the box ready load o!
primed and cooked, and string fixed to a. a.
ch of the triggers which led to the lid, so
1t when it was thrown open they would in s,
'ntly explode. The plot had been design ., q
to destroy Napoleon, but the natural sa- ..
city which defeated his enemies at Boro- n n
10, and the Austrians at Lodi, was not to b.
taken by surprise. He was uninjured by a.,
explosion, but his rage was terrible to be-
Id.
Seize upon them both" he shouted to E
, officer of the day, bear them off to the - -
ard tent, and tomorrow morning bring ~
m both out to the brig tree on the parade,
shoot them. Away with them, sir you
We your orders y Ell
The night slowly wore away, and grayly X
wned the morning that was to behold the II
18th of the ill-fated prisoners. They had W
slept wink, but lay through the pight w
sing about in feverish anxiety upon their OF
lofstraw, and now, as the rays of the til
Wy wakencd sun wero peerng over the dc