Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-11-26
TALES AND SKETCHES.
THE DESTINY OF JosEpHlNE

written, and written by an American. The
world has been amused with fables of the
man of destiny, which have been transmitted
as an heirloom, until they reached him
who sits upon the throne of France, and is
pleased with the title, "the man of destiny"
This title, though favorite with every
class of Frenchmen, undoubtedly arose with
the story Of Josephine, and through her at
tached to Napoleon. Though her simple
story is smothered by the more brilliant one
of her husband, yet it was known that, long
before Napoleon's admirers claimed him the
great destiny he accomplished, it was a
common story in Paris, what we are about
to tell.
1t was while almost child, that Jose
phine, in some of her wanderings with her
school fellows, came across vagrant gypsy
or fortune.teller. The woman, attracted in
some way toward the beautiful child, insist
ed on telling her fortune. even against her
will and without reward. She told her she
wonld be very soon a wife, widow and
afterward Queen of France. The prediction
itself was common enough, but as simple as
it was it had its effect upon Josephine, who
Immediately embraced it as fact, and could
for long time think of nothing else.
When the fulfilment came to the first part
of the prediction, it of course strengthened
her in the belief of the rest, and even when
in prison under sentence of death, and when
her bed was taken from under her at night
because she was to die in the morning, bade
her friends have courage, it would not be so,
and that she would yet sit upon that throne
then in ruins beneath the bloody feet of
Robespierre; and when the jailors in prison
called upon her to name her maids of honor
that they might be ready whcu she was
queen, she did so, and her nomination was
finally fulfilled to the letter.
On that very night Robespierre fcll--Had
his downfall occurred one week earlier her
husband would not have been one of his
victims had he lived one day longer, she
| would have been another of them.
There was little lapse of time between her
| liberation from prison and her marriage to
! Napoleon, and it was by the influence that
the exered that she was appointed TO the
command of the armyof Italy ; after which
she patti that led them upward was clear and
open, until the destiny she had insisted up
! on was accomplished, and the crown OF
ance upon her head.
But there was one thing more that Jose
phire had foretold to herself, which was the
utter loss 'ot that power and rank to- which
she had been SO wonderfully elevated; snd
while she broodcd over this, he who was
her lord gathered new power and yielded tt
new ambition. Sic tired to crush 1t, ano
point out what should 'e lis true aims bu
he now was AN emperor ana G@sireo 10 p'
! the founder of a new empire.
How well her instinct taught her tia, th'
time WAS rapidly approaching when Ina
ambition would make him put her away
! Then came the close of the campaign o
I IL, tl,., 1,Y, ~
proaching nearer that was to reveal botl
| their tates.
There WAS no longer the confidence of tn
past between them no longer the seekin:
of sympathy and advice.
1t was the Goth of November, 1900, an'
the court WAS especially gay in honor of tn
visit of the King of Saxony. Josephine sa
at the window of her boudolr, looking GU
upon the river, when she heard a step a
the door and rose to receive Napoleon, VIII
caught her in his arms with more OF til
olden time embrace than she had known 10
months. She led him to the sofa on whic
she was sitting, aud seated herself by hi
side. For few moments there was silence
and then he spoke.
Josephine, you have been weeping.-Al
! you unhappy 2"
mo sire not with you"
'.Nonsence! Josephine, why do you ca
me si-el Of late you are making the'
forms overshadow all our happiness"
.'Ther why should they not be forgotte
by bothl You have now reached the poi
of ambition that should content you. w
YOU turn the unquiet god from your bosa
and study only the good OF France and 20
own happiness 7"
You misunderstood me, lady," he sal
Quickly rising from his seat, and leanii
against the window. Il am seeking not
ing for myself, but seeking everything
France"
as it for France, Napoleon" she said, dra
ing close to his size, and taking his hand
hers. shat you would put away from y
not only a true wife, but true trien
Think not that have been blind, sire,
to this. NV alarmed heart has told me q
p. and believe that have offered no protest
your will but, o, sire, examine we'll 20
heart before you act
of He stood silent while she was speakil
and then, with his face turned full upon
s' streaming moonlight, he drew away
10. hand She went on.
"And o, sire, believe me, that thougf
;. am to leave your throne and your SIDE
'o' shall never cease to love too deeply ior
own peace. utTcloIc IL 10 tHo' PiS"N
will look we'll into your heart before
ed yield your future to bad counsel"
He drew quickly from the window
ls' walked to the centre of the room.
,a "You cannot sympathize with me,
'' dam act only with reason. The gooSe
sar the individual must yield to the good
France. Farewell"
o. sStop, sirs !" and Josephine step
quickly across the room and caught his
gss drawing him as she did so again to the
dow: NDo you see that starr ana
'e'' pointed to one that shone with mar
out brightness. That is my destiny; by
have risen. To it was promised !hf'
il- Through me you have accomplished 1t;
uaSh uSh from me and you fall. Yes, fall TO di
srs, sorrow, neglect, and exile. Remember
Napoleon and remember these words
it is too late TO recall the act that no w
ma. of mine can prevent"
disc Napoleon gszed almost in terror at
; a. who stood like prophecies, looking
re- with eyes of fire upon the heavens, and
with a heart clouded almost to sickness
o. turned away, and left the room witho
'usi, word.
. ell Ten days passed before he had the q
IN strike the blow that broke the Ga
chain that bound them, aud from that
ment, as he afterwards confessed at 81
By lena. the fall of Napoleon began unti
~ l.s died q broken hearted exile upon mid-o
n its