The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-13
NAPOLEON AT EcoUEN.
AN HISTORICAL TALE.

fine chateau at Ecouen, built by Francis /, in which
four hundred young ladies Of noble families re-
cei2ed their education.
Ii was on the evening before examination. and
the students were uembliDgy discussing the
claims Of each for the laurel wreath, the usual
prize on this occasion, when the sudden announce,
in moment all else was forgotten. IL was not
The brillisncy Of his appearance that caused this
general hush Of reverence, for be came alone IN
Einple dress with uncovered head, holding his nat
in one hand while the other was thrust into the
bosom of his coat. Followed by Nine Campan,
The manager of the institution, be walked smiling
through the rows Of students, who stood with
bl5sbing cheeks and csst-down eyes, as II each
felt that the slightest upward glance must NEE.
the eagle eye OF the emperor. The remarks wnicn
lie made were directed TO the students themselves,
with respect 10 whose names be was never IN
do9bt for he knew each Of these girls as well az
fbGlr fathers who were almost all either In his
arIsy or had already served in II.
This writing might be palmer, and the main
sts{kes not SO heavy, he said TO one; then to
apsther, whose father had Just become general:
when you write to your father congratulate him
in my name on his sdyancement;" and next 10
1bjSd: Is your health better, Amelia! You look
yesy pale but could Judge better, perhaps, If
thiH large nk-spot did not disfgure your pretty
cheek" Then, passing on, be said TO another,
ps,tng her frieDdlly on the head why are
fhese curls in such bad orderl The adornment
which we men best like In q woman is a we'll
arranged head of hair. Here Is curl that has
esaaped-a deserter that must be punished"
,o.a, 40 that il hung far down over the shoulders
Of ihe Young LADY, who stood in indescribabe emu
barrassment So, passing from class to class, he
reached three girls about eighteen. one OF these
sprung from her companions as soon as he entered,
aud threw her herself into his arms with the ten
der greeting, Father !"
.Yes, Hortense," he replied. returning her
embrace, "a father who loves you tenoeily. But
how are your friends. Clarie and Marie w added
he, greeting them both. {" You see have not
forgotten the name Of your inseparsbles. Miss
Clara" be continued, your father, one OF my
bravest generals is Just now on his way to his
new command. l know he has your marriage in
view His choice Is also mine, and hope that II
may be yours equally"
marie" said he, turning to the third girl and
taking her hand Familiarity, " as your father, my
moor captain, has lost his sight in the Rhine cam
paign, and cannot himself choose for you, must
do it in his stead. But we must talk this over
alone"
daughter, {" to- morrow will be the distribution Of
the prizes. Do you hope to receive oneg Your
mother has intrusted me with secret that can
Keep no longer. few days ago she found, l
don't know where, one Of my crowns-a crown
obtained without the shedding of blood. II was
given me, if remember rightly, as prize in
mathematics when | was boy In the military
school, Josephine has shaken the dust on it,
AID If you win prize tomorrow, she Will put
tss old faded crown on your head"
s. Which will be doubly valuable to me" inter-
ripted Hortense as she kissed the hand OF her
Melted his visit with the customary request 10
hsauanas Campan 10 eiss the pups holiday:
The sight of these expectant faces might well
hive revived bis memories OF those days when his
highest pride was in the crown of laurel which he
received as a boy-a crown which had nothing to
fssr from the cspriciousness Of fate, and which
Josephine on the following day placed with her
own hand on her daughters fair brow.
II.
1.-THE distribution of prizes was over. The girls
"A a wo1 IA. rda m
talk over their triumphs. IL seemed, however, as
ithe anticipatons of one of the eldest In the little
circle were not joyful. for tears were falling from
3Iare's eyes, the traces OF which she hastily
crushed swsy as she arose from the green bank
where she had been awaiting Clara and HOrtense,
who now approached arm in arm.
."My desr friends" said Clara, tenderly. to
Hortense and Marie, my marriage with NJ. d Her
SD leave Ecouen tomorrow"
=" So soon !" cried Hortense, surprised.
=" So soon" repeated Marie in q sOrrowful tone,
"a Foolish childln said Clara kissing her tender
IL. "Pars is not 80 far from Ecouen but that |
could visit you often even II no equipsge were at
LAY command. And you will not always remain In
et,hool either. Did not the emperor tell you yes
terdsy that he would himself attend to your mar
laage and dower?"
s"I know" replied Marie. " The emperor has
Sromised my hand to my cousin August, an under,
Sthcer, who 10 Just as Door as my father. should
Se happy, therefore. II had never seen you.
lselieve me- do not say this out of any unsstsfed
ambition. but in foreboding Of the bitter exper-
fences that await me. You, Hortense, as the
Slaughter Of the emperor. will perhaps be married
10 a king or q grandduke; and you, Clara the
only daughter Of one Of The emperor's favorite
generals, will marry the richest banker Of Paris.
Eut il Is not your higher rank and riches that
envy. grieve only at the thought Of the wide
distance that must exist between you and the
child OF poor. blind captain, or the wife OF an
nnderoficer know that dividing line ill be
-. uukf hrsasr mid Mill ularO
70 an impossible wall. and yet it will pain me
when YOU allow Il TO be dividing lne-as you
Must. Do not reply my dearest. know all that
you would say and promise; bat know, also
TOO well, that circumstances will be more power
3ul than you can Withstand"
s"Do ron believe yourself then to be more pru
dent and wise than we said Clara.
And TO have more experience? (" said Hor
tense, and both tenderly kissed away the tears
that bow fell unchecked from Msrie'S beautifu
eyes.
Eyes" she added with an expression Of the
deepest love and pain sit Is needed 50 Psra0 y
life than you. / have the experince which car
onlyibe learned 10 the school OF SORROW. You are
10th too happy TO understand me. You do no
realize the power OF circumstances. | tell yoI
that the world will separate US, and II can not bt
otherwise /"
Neverlu cried Hortense and Clara, stimuli
Isneousy.
81 would kiss them from your lips, for they arr
balssm for my heart. will try 70 believe them
IL will make glad to feel that the world can no
separate our hearts, aud that you will sometimes
think Of poor Marie, your school friend. But thu
high position which you viii take has its claims OF
you. Your company will not be mine. PRAY
you again, promise nothing. | know all that yor
,Rpuld say, what you think and feel; but, ever
Mcause know this, can foresee what you viii
think and experience In few years."
"Marie may be right" said Hortense, who HAD
suddenly grown grave at the last words OF hel
friend. "0ur friendship may remain unchanged
and nevertheless a thousand circumstances may
prevent our coming together. But listen, ON
shing let US promise solemnly. Let US mutual.
bind ourselves under any circumstances 10 NEE
again ten years hence on the same day and hour
II is now seven O'clock" she added. 1--WE vii
meet in ten years. at seven O'Clock in the evening
But whereW
ain one of our dwellings" said Clara.
"Ihat Is too indefinite" said Marie. "Wh
can tell where we shall any OF Us be living To-
years hencel God only knows"
THAT is only too true" added Hortense
q" But what do You say to the garden OF the Tuile
ries, which is open for all! Let Us take that q
rlaca 81 rneatinU Rut hold must have