The Shasta courier., 1868-03-14

Soiemnly. " This prophecy does not friphten
me away, and, in defiance of YOUR pronhetic
negro woman, |, the Republican General.
ADDRESS my prayer to the future Queen of
France. Be my wife-give me YOUR hand y,
Josephine felt almost frightened at the
pertinacity of the General, and a sentiment
OF apprehension overcame her as she looked
into the pale, decided countenance of this
man. stranger 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 contra dance But can
assure you that marriage is very grave
matter; which has no resemblance whatever
to gay dance. know it is so. | have
had sad experience, and l cannot so easily
decide upon marriage second timev
You refuse my hand, then? ?" said Bona
parte, with threatening tone.
Josephine smiled ION the contrary.
General" said she, give me your hand and
accompany ne to my carriage, which has
been waiting for me this long time.v
THAT means you dismiss me. You close
upon me the door of your drawing room -
exclaimed Bonaparte, with warmth. IL NJ
She shook her head and, bowling before
him with her own irresistible grace, she
said, In a friendly manner, II am too good a
patriot not to be proud Of seeing the con
queror OF Toulon in my drawing room. To
morrow have an evening reception, and
invite you TO be present, General" !"
From this day Bonapurte visited Josephine
dairy; she was certain to meet him every.
where. At first she sought to avoid him ::
but he always knew with cunning foresight
how to baffe 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 Bonaparte would soon
make his appearance and come near her with
his eyes beaming 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 respectful, retreating, and
gently applauding crowd, to her seat, where
ne stood by her, drawing upon her the atten.
tlon Of all. Did she take drive, at The
accustomed hour, in the Champs Ulysses,
she was confident soon to see General Bona.
pate on his gray horse gallop by her side,
followed by his brilliant staff, himself the
object Of public admiration and universal
respect; aud, finally, if she went to the the
atre, General Bonaparte never failed to an.
pear IN her toge, to remain near her during
the performance, and when she left, to offer
his arm to accompany her to her carriage.
1t conld not fail that this persevering hom
age of the renowned and universally admired
young General should make deep and
impression on Josephine's heart,
and fill her with pride and joy. But Joseph
inc made resistance to this feeling: she
endeavored to shield herself from it by ma.
ternal love.
She sent for her two children from their
schools, and with her nearly grown
up son on one side, and her daughter budding
into maidenhood on the other, she thus pre-
sented herself to the General, and, with an
enchanting smile, said, See, General, how
old am, with grown up son and daugh.
ter who soon can make of me grand
Ea rTsa
But Bonapa-te, with a heartfelt emotion,
reached his hand to Eugene and said, "A
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 strategem that neither the grown
up son nor the manageable daughter could
deter him from his object.
After their marriage, and the successful
in Italy, the happy pair enjoyed
each others society for a brief time at Mon
tebello. f.