The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-11-19
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE ORPHANS cHoIcE-A STORY OF FRANCE.
. tConcludedJ

| JUVENILE SVhVMN. u
| THE ORPHANS cHoIcE-A STORY OF FRANCE
| tConcluded.J
Napoleon did not forget the promise h
made Jean Hudelt in the morning the o,
phans chose their guardians. The farm
with all it's stock and implements, had bee
legally conveyed to Hudelt that same after
noon, and from that day he had prospered
Three years bad passed, and Hudelt .ha,
grown rich-that is, rich for, a French far
mer. His son Pierre, now nineteen year
OF ages had also -prOspePed~ under the in
struction OF the gOOd-pur;sh priest, VIII
prophesied that Pierre, by his writings
would one day make the country proud =
him, and die member of tho Academy
Aud Marie, Pierre's mother, said that ther,
was not a more discerning man iu Franc,
than the priest. Pauline had developed
| into a maiden of exquisite lovelinese .all
graceful and intelligent, tasteful and sweet.
tempered. Pierre loved Pauline, and sh.
loved Pierre ;Sand the good priest blessed
their betrothal, at which Jean and Marie
danced as gaily as they had done at theil
own, and declared that they felt young
again.
Camille, too, had become a beauty. She
had been sent to the best schools, and had
outstripped all her.mates in the acquisition
of every elegant and courtly accomplish
ment. Graceful as the willow, delicate and
ASAhoN 90 - SiOaCt, J OU pOSScSStUH Uuo lire
and muscle OF leopardess, her vivacity,
elequence and picturesque grace of attitude
and movement drew all eyes after ter, and
stirred the depths of many hearts.
The spring of 1914 had. come; and Napo-
leon, whose veteran troops had persisted
amid the SHOWS of Russia, with few thou
sand raw recruits vas making prodigious
displays of military genius winch kept the
millions of allies at bay, and excited the
admiration of his bitterest foes,
In their maneuvres and marches, the
armies sometimes came 80 near the hamlet
in which Hudelt lived, that the roar of bat
tie would often make his windows rattle.
Those C were exciting times for farmers.
They would quit their~work, gather round
in groups, and talk over the battles in
which many of them had fought under the
Littic Corporal" as they all delighted to
call tho Emperor. And as, day after day,
fresh accounts came of his wonderful
achievements, the old military fire was
aroused, and the farmers talked of forming
a company and marching to his camp. But
one evening sad news came-Marmont had
surrendered Paris, and they now knew tina
the Little Corporate" doom was closing
round him. He could have overthrow a
hostile world in arms, but how could he
Withstand domestic treachery!
One evening after the knot of neighbors,
now accustomed to gather at Hudelt's, had
and the family aboutto retire,
a trampling of horses was heard without,
and soon the clank and jingle of metal
sounded on the ear. The family ran to the
windows, and saw by the bright moonlight
q troop of hoIsemen winding along the
road.
the house. At the same moment all recog-
nized in the leader Of the troops the we'll
known outline of Napoleon's form.
Napoleon at once put the family at their
ease by the simplicity and cordially of his
greeting; and stepping to Paulire's side
and gently pinching her cheek, asked if she
him, and without waiting for
IN answer said: "Hudelt has used you
we'll, l hope. Your cousin has done finely,
out she has not married q marshal yet
Have you married peasant 2"
Pauline blushed aud exchanged glances
If embarrassment with Pierre.
Napoleon at once detected the maneuvre
md, again pinching Pauline's cheek, said {:
All, l see. You do we'll. Those roses on !
your cheek have their roots in your heart.
Very good. Had the world known of your |
,hoice a few years since it would have said, |
How foolish what insanity But you |
we're wise. Hudelt, the independent farmer,
8 better off tonight than Napoleon, the
betrayed Emperor"
In a short time Hudelt returned, and |
poke in low voice to his commander, I
who said "Very good.' Hudelt went and
poke to the officers on the-grass, who i'm
nediately sprangLup and followed him to
he best roomi in the house, where beau
repast was spread, of which the
Emperor was already partaking.
Not a word was uttered for several min
ties. AT length Napoleon abruptly said
You are fortunate man, Hudelt. Acct
lent prevented a battle in this neighbor-
lood, else your farm would have been
poiled for year, your orchard and crops
destroyed, ard perhaps all your lives sac
ifced. Part of my force are not very
ong march from your door now, and the
nemy are everywhere. 1 have been be-
rayed. This repass is opportune, for we
ave had little time to cat to-day. Come"
ddressing his companions, and advancing
o the door, " time presses"
AS he walked to his horse, he met Pauline
nd Pierre coming from the gate, and said,
Kiss me for the last time, my little one.1
A jinglipg of spurs and sabres, a tramp
ing of hoofs, and the vision was gone.
Two years more had passed. Napoleon
ad returned from Eliza, given the heredi-
ary'thrones of Europe their last shaking,
cen sent off to the far-off prison, and
,ourbon was again seated on the throne