The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-04-24

"When you come to the last step o
the staircase you will see the door o
her room before YOU" said an old wo
man, without taking her eyes of he
knitting.
Attended by her painter Josephin,
ventured, not without fear, into mar
row, dark valley, at the end OF whicl
they found the staircase. Ascending t.
the fifth story they found the door in
dicated, and the young widow came Il
open it.
"Madame," said Redoute to her, 81
am confident that the Emperor would
come to your assistance il he knew il
what destitute condition you were
placed, but it is useless to inform hin
now. Madame, whom I have the hon
or to accompany, will be your protect
ress, and her protection will enable yol
to dispense with all others.
While he was speaking Josephine ap.
preached the child seated IN the cradle
He smiled, and held out his arms tc
her.
"Oh. the beautiful child ~ said she
embracing him. "Did you not tell me
Redoute, that he was born on the same
day with the king of Rome ?"
"Hhe same day and the same hour,
madame replied the young MOTHER
"This circumstance, at that time, might
have procured assistance for us, bur ! e
were not in need of any. Besides, my
poor Charles was too proud to ask it;
he worked diligently, and nothing was
wanting here. 1t is now eight months
since | had the misfortune to lose him.
| From that day my health began to de-
cline, and one can see," she ado ed, cast
ing fearful look, full Of bitter sadness.
on the miserable furniture in the room
zone can see that my resources are ex.
hausted."
1--WE are going to try, my dear dame :,
said the empress, "to make YOU forget
all that. At first, you must quit these
gloomy and unhealthy lodgings: then
will send you a physician, and tran
guilty of mind, aided by physical
strength, will remove all your evils. /
rely OH you, my dear painter,r SAID she
to Redoute, "for a thousand little de-
tails; besides, you know we share in
this"
Redoute replied he would do every-
thing to second his illustrious associ-
ate, whose hands the young mother was
kissing with tears of ioy.
Every one in Frsnce.had seen jose
pines removal with Sorrow. Maria
Louisa was jealous of this popularity.
which she coveted for herself and ne,
elected nothing to obtain it. Every
time. she appeared in public. a certain
number OF individuals mingled with the
crowd to learn what was said of the
next empress.
The same day on which Redoute had
given his money to the poor widow,
one of these observers was near him,
had heard all that passed between them,
and reported it to Maria Louisa, who,
although she had little taste for this
kind of adventure, resolved that she
herself would make a visit to the wild
ow.
Josephine arose to 90, after having
placed very pretty purse in the hands
ofthe child, with which he was PLAYING,
when the door opened, and a young
woman appeared. Redoute, who was
standing up. remained motionless. as il
petrified. He recognized Maria Loui-
sa, accompanied by newly-made
chamberlain. Josephine, piqued be-
cause she had not paid her salutations,
resumed her seat, and made sign to
Redoute to wait. The poor widow, in
the meantime, was eager to offer a
chair to Maria Louisa, and thus the two
empresses who did not know each other,
found themselves together.
There are defects which are inherent
in the nature of woman and which the
happiest dispositions cannot altogether
subduc. Josephine, so good and gentle
before, suddenly became naughty and
imperious, and said, after Maria Louisa
had announced the object of her Wis
it,
"That Is very laudable, madame, but
you are somewhat late in this affair."
have taken the young mother and her
infant under my protection, and my
protection will be sufficient. %
81 have reason to think, madame.
that mine would be more serviceable. :"
"The protection of madame, said the
chamberlain, speaking of his sovereign,
"could raise this child to the highest
station"
"Who has told you, monsieur" re-
torted Josephine, quickly, THAT could
not advance him still further ?"
"Perhaps madame could make him a
king" said Maria Louisa, maliciously.
''Why not, madame 1t might be
possible; there are kings in the world
of my making"
During this colloquy Redoute was IN
torments. He alone of all present,
knew the two empresses, and he feared
an outbreak that might have sad con-
sequences.
"Madame," said he, in very low
tone to Josephine, "if this lasts mo-
ment longer, your majesty will be dis
covered, and that, | am convinced, will
lead to very disagreeable scene.'
Josephinewas silent. Redoute, in
terpreting her silence fayorably, re-
sumed.
"Ladies," said he, "it is so sweet for
generous souls to do gooc, that am not
astonished at this debate. But why
should one of you yield to the other her
part in the happiness? For myself, /
accept all the benefits that one may be-
stow on my poor proteges. F"
The two rivals made an inclination
in sign of assent, and then both arose
and took leave. The chamberlain ap-
preached Redoute and said,-,
"Monsieur the lady whom have had
the honor to accompany is the empress,
Maria Louisa
''Parbleu, monsieur, know it as we'll
as you do. But what you do not know
is that the other is the Empress jose
phine."
"Well, the young rogue is born to
good fortune" said the chamberlain;
"what a career he will have The pro-
tege of two empresses We must con-
tess fortune takes strange freaks"
Less than two years after this meet
ing of the empresset at the widow Blan-
gers, Josephine died of grief at NAL
maison, and Maria Louisa, with indit-
ference, perhaps with joy, left France,
which she did not love, and where she
was not loved.
"Do not weep, mamma said little
Charles Blanger to his mother, ais not
our good friend, Redoute, left us?''
In effect, of all the high protection
which bad nrOmiSed To him 50 brilliant