Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-02-15


queen of France-yes, perhaps more
than queen!"
1t was now Bonaparte's turn to be
astonished and irritated, and using her
own words, he said, Struggling his
shoulders, "Madame, is it a joke you
are indulging imp
81 speak in all earnestness," said
Josephine, shaking her head. "Listeu,
then; a negro woman in Martinique
foretold my fortune, and as her oracular
words have thus far all been fulfilled, l
must conclude that the rest of her
prophecies concerning me will be re-
alized."
"And what has she prophesied to
yonY" asked Bouaparte, eagerly.
''She has told me, you will one day
be queen of France you will be still
more than Queenp"
The General was silent. He had re-
maincd standing; but now slowly paced
the room few times, his hands folded
on his back and his head inclined on
his breast. Then again he stood before
the viscountess, and his eyes rested
upon her with wondrously bright and
genial expression.
81 bid defiance to fate!" he said
somewhat solemnly. "This prophecy
does not frighten me away, and, in de-
fiance of your prophetic negro woman,
I, the Republican General, address my
prayer to the future Queen of France.
Be my wife-give me your hand!"
Josephine felt almost frightened at
the pertinacity of the General, and
a sentiment of apprehension overcame
her as she looked into the pale, deci-
ded countenance of this man, stran-
ger to her, and who claimed her for his
wife.
"Oh, sir !" she exclaimed, with some
anguish, "you offer me your hand with
as much carelessness as if the whole
matter were merely for a contra dance.
But can assure you that marriage is a
very grave matter, which has no resem-
blance whatever to gay dance. l know
it is SO. l have had sad experience,
and l cannot so easily decide upon mar.
riage second time"
"You refuse my hand, then?" said
Bonaparte, with threatening tone.
Josephine smiled. "On the contra
ry, General" said she, "give me your
hand and accompany me to my carriage,
which has been waiting for me this long
time"
"That means you dismiss me. You
close upon me the door of your drawing
roon?" exclaimed Bonaparte with
warmth.
She shook her head, and, bowiug
before him with, her own irresistible
grace, she said, in a friendly manner,
81 am too good patriot not to be
proud of seeing the conquerer of Toulon
in my drawing room. Tomorrow have
an evening reception, and 1 invite you
to be present, General"
From this day Bonaparte visited
Josephine daily; she was certain to
meet him everywhere. At first she
sought to avoid him, but he always
knew with cunning foresight how to
battle her efforts, and to overcome all
difficulties which she threw in his way.
Was she at her friend Therese's she
could safely reckon that General Bona
parte would soon make his appearance
and come near her with his eyes BEAM
ing with joy, and in his own energetic
language speak to her of his love and
hopes. Was she to be present at the
reception of the five monarchs at Paris,
it was General Bonaparte who waited
for her at the door of the hall to offer
his arm, and lead her amid the respect
full, retreating, and gently applauding
crowd, to her seat, where he stood by
her, drawing upon her the attention
of all. Did she take a drive, at the
accustomed hour, in the Champs Elys-
ses, she was confident soon to see Gen.
eral Bonaparte on his gray horse gal
lop at her side, followed by his brilliant
staff, himself the object of public admi-
ration and universal respect; and,
finally, if she went to the theater, Gen.
Bonaparte never failed to appear in her
loge, to remain near her during the
performance, and when she left, to
offer bis arm to accompany her to her
carriage.
1t could not fail that this persevering
homage of the renowned and univers-
ally admired young General should
make deep and fattering impression
on Josephine's heart, and gil her with
pride and joy. But Josephine made
resistance to this feeling; she endeav-
ored to shield herself from it by ma
ternal love.
She sent for her two children from
their respective schools, and with her
nearly grown up son on one side and
her daughter budding into maidenhood
on the other, she thus presented her.
self to the Gee eral, and, with an en-.
chanting smile, said, "See, General,
how old l am, with grown up son and
daughter who soon can make of me
grandmother"
But Bonaparte, with heartfelt
emotion, reached his hand to Eugene
and said, ga man who can call so
worthy youth as this his son, is to be
envied."
A cunning, smiling expression of the
eye revealed to Josephine that he had
understood her war-stratagem; that