Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-06-23
THE STUDENT AND MASTER
A PASSAGE IN TIE LIFE OF NAPOLEON

Able BOssu Il believe that was his namel
examined the young men who were TO be
admitted as students in the Polytechmic
school. Though not the only examiner
his rote was all powerful.
One day when the first consul was ahout
to start on hunting excursion, the aid.de.
camp on duty. as be crossed the court At
Malmaison, perceived handsome. gentle.
manly young man. leaning against soma of
the sentrybcxes at the gate, and Iookino
anxioUsly at the chateau. The aide de-.
camp, nj. de Lacuee, approaching him. and
politely asked If he wanted any one. The
young man without looking at the person
who addressed him replied
All sir, l have wish, which every
one have consulted tells me it is impossi
Die to crafty. and yet / cha II die If il be
not accomplished, i want to speak to the
first consul. l tried to obtain admittance
into the court. but was repulsed at the
gaze. ] was asked " / bad an appointment
An appointment l. an appointment %
And with out casting even o passing
glance at M. de Lacuee, the young mao
again fixed his earnest gaze upon the chat.
eau. Every person acquainted with M. de
Lacuee must know that he delights in an
adventure and this youth with his ami.
mated countenance, and voice trembling
with emotion, inspired him at once with
interests. Again approaching him.
Well, SIR said he.' and what do you
want with the first consult can convex
to him your request, if it be reasonable
l am the aide de-camp on duty
You, sir ! cried the young man, seizipg
NJ. de Lacuee's hand, which he squeezed
with trauspOrt-'are you the first consul's
aide~de>camri Oh if you knew the servics
you could render me! Pray, sir, take me
to him.
What dc you want of him p
Il must speak to him = and he added 10
a lower tone of voice, it is a secret
Lacuee contemplated the youthful De-
titioIer who stood before him with a look
Of intense eagerness, squeezing the hand
be held. if it were in voics-his bosom
FACILITATING. and his respiration oppressed;
but his look was pure-it evinced q mind
of the mobiles stamp.
This youth is not dangerous thought
Lacuee; and taking his arm, he led him
into the interior court. As they passed
the gate, Duroc, accompanied by Junot,
arrived from Paris. whittier they had gone
in the morning. But were on horseback.
They stopped and alighted to speak to
Lacuee, who related what had just passed
between him and the young stranger.
What! said Jonot and DurOc' are you
agOing to Introduce this young man with
out even knowing his name Lacuee con
fessed he had not asked it. Junot then
approached the youth, and observed, that
although the first consul was not difficult
of access, yet it was necessary he should
know why an interview with him was re-
quired, and moreover. the name of the party
who made such request.
The young man blushed.
True, general said he, bowling respect.
fully, but with the ease Of gentleman,
and stating bis name. THE Duchess
pAbrautes IS not certain as to the name,
which be believes to be Eugene de Kery.
alegne.) My father resides in the country.
l have received from him an education
adartet to the end which both be and
bad 10 view, namely my admission to the
Polytechnic school. Judge then, general
OF his Disappointment and Of the mine. when
on appearing before the Able Bossu, whose
duty is to decide whether or not sm quail
flied, this gentleman refused to examine
me, because / had been taught by nv
father only. What matters that. (said IL
provided possess the requisite knowledge?
But he was inhexible, and nothing could
induce him to ask me a single question:
But said DuToe, in his usual mild and
polite manner, what can the first consul
do in such q case? If that be the rule, It
must be observed by every candidate and
what can you therefore require of hinf'
That he examine me himself replied
the young man, with the most expressive
netUete. Il am sure that if be questions
me, be will deem me worthy CT becoming
one of those youths, of whom be would
make officers capable of executing his
great conceptions
The three friends smiled at each other
Duroe and Junot thought with Lacuee
that the presence Of this young man would
be pleasing TO the First Consul land Duroe
went to him and stated the circumstance
Napoleon, with that luminous and sweet
smile so peculiar to him when he was
pleased, said
80 he wants me to examine him, does
he ? What could have suggested such an
idea to him 1t is q strange one = and he
rubbed bis chin. How old is be p resumed
the First Consul, after walking about some
time in gracious silence.
lido not know, general; but he appears
about seventeen or eighteen =
Let him come in
Duroc introduced the youth, the express
ION Of whose cortenauce was admirable
The fulness of his joy was wildly and beau
tifully portrayed in il. His look dsrted
upon the First CoEsul--his whole existence
seemed to hang upon the first word Napol
con should utter.
We'll, my young man 7 said be, advauc.
ing with a gracious smile towards the
young enthusiast you wish to be exam
ined by me p
The poor lad was so overcome with ioy
that he could not answer. Napoleon liked
neither iDsolent assurance, nor pusillaui-
NOUS tlmidity bu. he perceived that the
youth before him was silent, only because
the spirit spoke too loud with him.
'Nake time to recover yourself, my child;
you are not calm enough to answer me at
this moment. will attend for q while to
some other BUSINESS, and then we will re-
turn to you're
'DOst thou see that young mao = said
the First Consul to Ju5ot, taking him into
the iecess OF q window. If had q Mous.
ana ike him, the conquest Of the world
would be but promenade And be turn
co his head to look at the young man, who
absorbed in meditation, was probably pre-.
parlDg bis answers to the questions which
he supposed would be asked him. In
about half an hour Napoleon began the
examination, with the result of which be
was completely satisfied.
And had you nc other matter than your
father p asked the, First Consul, in aston.
ishment
mo General but be was good master,
because he was bringing up q citizen 70 be
one day useful to his country, aud who
might pers1e the high destinies which you
hold out to it,
Junot told me that they were ell sur
prlsed at the almost prophetic tone with
which the last words were uttered. The
First Consul in particular seemed much
struck by them.
4 will give you line. nv dear child.