Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-07-31
Stlistellan(ous.
THE TWO EMPREssEs.

On beautiful Sunday in the month
of June, 1912, Redoute. the celebrated
painter Of roses, left his home for Nal
maison, where the Empress Josephine
had appointed him her painter Of low
ers, and to whom, on thatvery day, nc
was going to present the first number
Of his works
The weather was superb. The sun
was ascending goriously from the hor-
izon, and not cloud obscured the azure
vault of heaven. 1t was striking II O.
clock as Redoute, crossed the garden
of the Tuilleries, and directed his steps
toward the Place Concorde, to take a
carriage. when he saw the crowd, all at
once, hasten towards the terrace near
the water. Curious, and easily excited
like all artists, the painter advanced
nearer: 1T is the king of Rome and
the empress, said those around him.
1t was indeed the emperor's son, then
aged five or six months, who was
walking, or rather who was carried on
the terrace in charming caleche,
drawn bv four sheep admirably trained.
Behind this frail and graceful equipage
walked the empress Maria Louisa, en-
veloped in an immense blue shawl of
that peculiar shade which she preferred
to all others and which still bears her
name. Arrived at the grille Of the
terrace, Redoute stopped, found him
self near young woman, whose pallid
features, dull look, and ndmiserahle cloth
mo indicated SUFFERING and des.;.-s:v.i.
She was holding young child IN her
arms.
poor darling said she, speakinglow
as she caressed her infant; thou hast
neither carriage nor play things, thou.
For him, abundance, pleasures, and all
the ioys of childhood; for thee, priva-
tions, trouble andsoon sorrow What
has he done more than thou, this son of
a king? You were both born on the
same day; in the same hour; am
young like his mother | love thee as
She loves him. But you have a father
no longer. and my strength diminishes
every day
Redoute listened attentiyely to eve
ry word, aud then saw the young wG-
man furtively wipe away tear. Live
ly affected, he leaned over, and said:
II am persuaded madame, if Maria
Louisa knew your situation, you would
soon cease to suffer"
".Ah! monsieur, you are in error
The great have no compassion. Since
have been widow have addressed
the empress many times, but never OBJ
tanned reply"
''These petitions, probably, have
never reached her. Give me your ad-
dress. You shall see that I will get
you favorable answer
He took out his pencil, wrote down
her address, slippedin her hand all the
money he had in his o,ket, and then
hurried away. Arrived at the Place
he looked about for car
rage, but all at once, recollecting he
had nothing to pay with, he was at loss
what 70 do. To return home would
occupy too much time; he therefore re-
solved to proceed on foot, ana quicken
his tops,
In the meantime, Josephine J had been
very much surprised not to find Re-
loute on her return from mass, and
ii some accident had not hap
pened to her painter of flowers. Just
hen his arrival wasannounced, and he
was Introduced Immediately.
Il ought to scold you,' said she, smil-
ng, and graciously receiving the num-
Der Redoute presented her, "tor you
nave delayed the pleasure this admira-
bic design gives me-
"Madame," replied Redoute incon-
siderately, Il supplieate your majesty's
pardon. have not heen able, until
low, to have the happiness of seeing
he king Of Rome, and"
Hardly were these last words pro
lounced, when Josephine trembled.-|
Redoute Immediately perceived his
olunder and became agitated; stammer-
ii, and finished by saying he knew not
what.
Recover yourself my dear painter,
'aid Josephine, II am very glad you
lave seen the emperer's son. Tell me-
hen, all about it."
Embodied by the benevolent tone
If the empress Redoute, retook assu-
'ance and related, without omitting
the reason of his being obi
,ed to come on foot.
And you gave all your money to
his woman said Josephine, whose
countenance, sad the moment
before, now frightened all at once. y
Then, before Redoute could reply, she
esumed: But, truly, l am astonished
It that, as if it We're something extra
ordinary for great artist to have no.
Die heart.
Il can assure your majesty that any
me would have doneas much, the poor
mother appeared SO suffering
20, If Napoleon knew it. But no, it
not necessary he should know it
listen. Your proteyes must be mine