The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1870-04-14


were left here. She was i'll for long
time, and having no resources left for
our support. was advised to sell
flowers. A gentleman in the town
who made inquiries as to our prospects
took pity on us and gave us this cot.
tagc, where my mothers health i'm
proved, and where she lived nearly two
years, during which we were supported
by the sale Of flowers. About a year
ago my poor mother had a relapse, and
obtained release from all earthly
sulferings. On her death bed she re.
commended me to trust in Providence,
and feel a pleasure in obeying her
last wish"
The young'girl having thus spoken,
burst into tears. During this short re-
cital, Napoleon was much affected, and
when she burst into tears he sobbed
loudly. At length he said
Poor child! What sins could you
have committed thai. you should have
been exiled here so miserably? Sin
gular fulfilment of destiny! Like me,
she has no country--no family-she
has no mother, and IL have no
child"
After pronouncing these words, the
Emperor again sobbed audibly, and
his tears flowed freely. Yes this great
man, whom the loss Of the most bril-
liant throne in the world affected not
who was calm amidst desolation itself,
wept at the recital of this poor girl!
After q few moments he resumed
his customary flrmness, and said to
her:
81 wish to take home with me a
souvenir of my visit to your cottage.
Gather some Of your best flowers and
make grand boquet,"
Henriette quickly made the boquct;
and when Napoleon gave her five louis
dor for it, cried with establishment,
"Ah! grand Dieu! sir why did you
not come sooner? My poor mother
would NOT then have died.! "
"Well, we'll, my child. those are very
good sentiments. l will come and see
you again"
Then blushiug and regarding the five
pieces Of gold, Henriette replied:
"But, sir, can never give you flow
crs enough for all this money
"Do not let that trouble you," an
swered.Napolcon, smiling, II will come
and fetch them"
He then left her. When he had re.
gained his companions. he informed
them of his discovery, He seemed
happy in having found one as unfortu-
nate as himself to console; and on the
spot the young Henriette augmented
the special nomenclature of Longwood'
He called her the "Ny nph Of ST. Hclc
ma" for amongst his friends Napoleon
habitually baptisad all that surrounded
him by familiar cognomen. Thus,
the part of the island With he most
lrequentcd he called the "Vallev of
Silence" Mr.. Balcombe, with whom
he stayed on his first arrival at st.
Helena, was the "Amphitryon.' His
cousin, the major, who was about six
feet high, was called the "Giant" Sir
George Cockburn was designated as
"Mr. Admiral" when the Emperor
was pleased; but when he had cause fol-
complaint his only title was "the
Shark"
Some days after this visit to the cot
tage, Napoleon said, when dressing,
that he would return to his pupil, and
perform his promise. He found the
young girl at home, she had learnt since
his last visit the name of her bcnetac
tor; and much moved, not so much by
his past grandeur as by his recent ca
lamities. entreated him to accept the
hospitality of her humble cottogc She
then brought him figs, and water from
the river-valley.
"Sire," she said to Napoleon, II have
waited at home fol you since you were
last here, and have, consequently, not
been able to procure wine for you. as
your bounty will now enable me to do
So" a.
"And it, you had" said the Empelor
81 should have seolded you well. When
1 come to see you l wish nothing bet
ter than this water, which is excellent.
On this condition I will revisit you.
After all, am but an old soldier, as
your poor father was: and the soldier
q 4 4.