Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-11
AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE.

the story of the marriage of the King Of
Rome and Princess Josepha, we now pub
lish the following, from the same book.
LED. LEDGER
AS they stood before the chancel, the
King Of Rome, overcome by the bitter
ness of the moment, bowed his head to
his unfortunate bride and whispered,
(" Poor Josepha, pity you T.
1t was the morning after the wedding.
Maria Theresa had just completed her
toilette, and was smiling at her own
beautiful image, reflected in the looking
glass. She looked every inch an en-
press, in her rich crimson velvet dress,
with its long and graceful train, and its
border of ermine Her superb blond
hair had been exquisitely dressed by her
little fayorite, Charlotte Won Hierony-
mus. 1t was sprinkled with gold powder,
and the coifrure was heightened by little
cap of crimson velvet, attached to the
hair by arrows OF gold, set with costly
brilliants. The complexion OF the en-
press was so lovely, that she never wore
rouge; and surely such eyes as hers
needed none of the " adulteries of art
to highten their brilliancy or beauty
Although she was in her forty-ninth year,
and had given birth to sixteen children,
Maria Theresa was still beautiful not
only youthful in appearance, but youth
ful in heart and in the strength and
greatness of her intellect. She loved the
emperor as fondly as she had done
twenty. eight years before, and each OF
her ten living children was as dear to her
maternal heart as if each had been an
only child.
She had arrayed herself with unusual
magnifcence to celebrate the entry of
the newly married couple into Vienna.
The imperial cortege was to stop at the
cathedral of st. Stephen, there to wit
ness the bridals of twenty-five young
couple, all of whom the empress had
lowered in honor of her sons second
marriage.
surely the prayers of these fifty
lovers will bring happiness upon the
heads of my son and his wife" said the
empress to herself "They need prayers
indeed, for poor Josepha is very unlike
our peerless Isabella, and fear she will
not be attractive enough to cause the
dead to be forgotten. Still, she seems
mild and kind-hearted, and / have
already read in her eyes that she is in
love with Joseph. hope this will lead
him to love her in return. Sometimes a
man will love woman through pity,
afterward through habit.
A nervous and impatient knock at her
door interrupted the current of the en-
press thoughts the door was flung
open without further ceremony, and the
King of Rome entered the room. lie
was pale and agitated, and, to his
mothers aifectionate welcome, he re-
piled by deep inclination of the head.
The empress perceived at once that
something was wrong, and her heart
beat rapidly
"My dear boy,p said she, you do not
wear a holiday face, and your young
bride" -
~ have no bride" interrupted Joseph,
angrily. have come to beg of your
majesty to discontinue these rejoicings,
or, at least, to excuse me from appear
ing in public at the side of the Princess
of Bavaria She is not my wife, nor
ever shall be !"
"What means this ?" stammered the
empress, bewildered.
q 1t means that my marriage is null /
and void; and that no human power
shall force me to be husband of a crea-
ture tainted with leprosy.
The empress uttered cry of horror.
The empress turned and beheld her
daughter-in-law, splendidly attIred, but
pale and wan, with unmistakable grief.
"Josepha, how came you hither z she
asked.
II followed Herr van Swieten," re
plied Josepha. "He told me that your
majesty and the King Of Rome were
here, awaiting bis verdict, and judged
from his manner that it would be in my
favor Therefore, / came, and, having
heard his aatiering words, which do not
deserve, am here to inculpate myself
No. Herr van Swieten, II there were any
merit in suffering for a brother whom l
dearly loved, it would all be efaced by
the wrong which have done to the King
Of Rome. feel that was guilty in not
confding my malady 10 your majesty,
and II bow my head before the justice OF
nv punishment, severe though It may
be"
3" It shall not be severe, my daughter,
said the empress, whose kind heart was
overcome BY Josephas hn-
miliiy-"I, for my part, forgive you
you are already sufficiently punished
thank your majesty, returned 90
sepha. kissing her 0utstretched hand
3" Il is easy for one 50 magnanimons, 70
pardon the guilty but my husband, Will
be also forgive met ]