The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-11-14
NAPOLEON IIDUKE OF REIcHsrADT.
From "Down the Danube, !" in Harper,s /

From Down the Danube" in Harper's.
| There Is something exceedingly touchin.
in the history of the unfortunate duke. who
during his final illness, thus composed hi
!, own epitaph: Napoleon Fra ncois JOSEPH
Charles Bonaparte; born King of Rome
died lieutenaetin the Aust riaR artillery
Handsome, accomplished, brave, the inherit
or Of splendid name and dazzling glory
loved almost to idolatry in the country
in which his childhood was passed; q mag
nificeRt future stretching before him-fa te
| frowned upon his brilliant prospects, gave
him weak constit Ition wretched health,
bitter disappointment. and was only kind in
leading him to an early grave. He breathed
his last at Schonbrunn, in the cham Der once
occupied by his father, and in the neighbor.
hood of the imperial chateau where he was
wont to take his solitary walks g5r
He seems to have been completely bldSe
from his childhood, and of so melancholy o
Temperament that scarcely anything gave
him pie asure. Everything was done to cure
him of his gloomy Indifference, and, when
all else had failed, he met in one of his lone~7
| ~ rambles beautiful peasanU girl, with
whom he fell in love at first sight. She ap-
peared to return his affection. Her society
aroused him from, his lethargy, and endowed
him with new life. She drsttaught him, 1t is
said, the nature Of happiness, and by her
presence the dreary emptiness OF his being
was delightfully."- filed. Peasant as she was.
the was graceful, accomplished, witty, and.
so his fond fancy, she was as a goddess on
the earth. He revealed to her all the sources
OF his discomfort, poured into her confdng
ear the secrstest of his thoughts and the sa-
credcst of his feelings. She was the single
break of blue in his clouded sky, and in that
blue was set the star.of hope.
One evening he was in the city, and at
tended the opera. When the ballet came ON.
among all the dancers suddenly flashed
torn of wondrous beauty and grace, agile as
fawn, 1.-the as q spirit, and the theater ech-
oed and re>echoed with welcome to the new
divinity of the dance. The pale youth
flushed, and his heart beat quick.
Was he dreaming, or was the sylph like
creature bounding and whrling on the stage
his beloved Marie, whom he had preferred
before all the ladies ofthe court? orirs.s
He rubbed his eyes and leaned forward, lis
very soul burning in his face. He could not
be mistaken. The lovely and guileless peas
ant whom he had worshiped and admitted to
the innermost sanctuary of his spirit and the
magnificent dancer of the opera were one
and the same The blazing theater grew
dim; the tumultuous applause was no long
er heard; the unhappy prince gasped, rstrug-
gfsd, swooned and amidst much excitement
WAS borne to his carriage H rears4 |
The charming dancer who had fascinated |
him was the famous Fanny Elssler, then at
the beginning OF her extraordinary copquests
and career. She had allowed herself to be |
used by his relatives ss a bait to. ensnare the
young dukes affections, in the hope that
through uer some interest in life might be
awakened. The ingenious and handsome
boy pleased her, no doubt. Her vanity was
gratifi4d at the expense of his final faith He
never recovered, it is said, from this sudden
and terrible shock, and she-was literally
paid. s3*8 ##4 .EG{f.