The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1867-01-04
The Son OF Napoleon I--A sim
guIstr story,

Rome, mas ended IN h securing OF
several most interesting souvenirs, to
BIO placed in tho Napoleon gallery of
the Louvre. The life Of this son of the
great Emperor who according to the
touching cpitaph written by himself for
his own tomb, "was born King ofRome
and died a Lieutenant in the Austrian
service" was too short to admit of any
very voluminous record. The souv-
enirs now brought to Paris have been
wholly furnished by the well.remem-
bered danseus, Fanny Ellsler, who
lives in the strict retirementof a coun-
try life near the Hague, occupied sole
ly in the cultivation of certain species
of rose, which she has brought to the
highest perfection. By the fortune left
her by GAptz, added to that acquired
by her owe Industry and talent, she is
enabled to live the easy of a chatslaine;
and while her leisure time is occupied
with the cultivation of flowers, her
heart is fully occupied likewise with
the cultivation of all her tender sou.
venire of the Court OF Vienna, and the
place she once occupied thOroat, with
the full consent and appreciation Of
every member of the imperial family.
The story ofthe loves of the Duke de
Reichstadt Is short and sad enough.
Disguised with the restraint Of tho life
at court, wounded by the position to
which his birth had Consigned him
among the proud archdukes, his high:
born relatives, he was wont to steal
away into the country to enjoy solitude
and the contemplation of nature, at a
little village near Vienna.
The doctors had foretold that, unless
some interest in life wore offered to this
sensitive, nervous youth, he must, Of
necessity, sink into atrophy, and with.
er away in consumption. Many and
many a hope had been raised of his
forming ar attachment which might
throw som interest around his exis-
tence, and ward off the ennui which
was killing him by inches. But the
conviction that the opportunity thus
afforded him were but snares of the
enemy to set a spy yer him in his
most ungardod moments kept him on
tho watch, and he never once yielded
tothe temptation. But the moment
came for him as it comes for all men.
lie became struck with the grace and
beauty of his landlady's niece, a girl
fresh from the woods, whose pictures
quo costume and simple manner fat
tered both his artistic and moral taste
and he soon became deeply enamored.
To this girl they say he told the whole
story of his life-the temptations which
had been offered him-the aspirations
in which he INDUCED the hopes he en-
tanned. His entire existence under
went a change. To one being could he
unfold the secrets Of his heart, and the
restraint which had been killing him
was overcome at last. But as there
must always be a demon at work upon
the happiness OF every mortal bore be-
low, Sc did the satisfaction experienced
by the young Due de Reichstadt soon
como to an end.
He who had Stunned all gaiety, who
had obstinately refused to attend all
gaiety, who had obstinately refused to
attend all courtely fetes, opera, ball and
play, finding his health and spirits
improved, must needs one night be
seized with an irresistible desire TO see
the ballet of The Diablo Boiteux, in
(which the cachueha danced by Fanny
Ellsler had become the aim and object
Of every conversation and of all the
enthusiasm of the city. He went alone
to the opera-he saw the dancer come
forward to the lootlights with that
| swimming step which had won the
the hearts OF all mankind-he gaEed
first in terror, then in doubt, then in
/ horror and amazement, and sank slow.
ly down senseless on tho floor Of thC
box where he was placed 1t was the
dancer herselfon whom his whole hear
' and soul had been bestowed. 1t wal
to her he he had confded his most Sc
cret thoughts. The whole intrigue o
l. the court became revealed at once t.
? his mind. He went back no more t.
: the village, but retired again to the lit
III Al ..II.aAI. 1890, Ia A. nn1nnn III