The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1872-09-24

room and contemplated everything with an
eye of tenderness and emotion--4he sleeping
children and their sleeping fathe4. An UNI
disturbed silence reigned in the cottage.
"What happy calm! What delightful
tranquility" said the Emperor ssAvarice
and ambition, suspicion and remorse, never
enter here How sweet is the sleep of inno-
cence!n
In such reflection, and on such bed, did
the mighty Emperor of the Russias spend the
night. The peasant awoke at the break of
day; and his guest, taking leave of him, said
Il must go to Moscow my friend. I am ac-
quainted there with very benevolent man, to
whom l shall take care to mention your kind
of treatment of me. i can prevail upon him
to stand godfather to your child. Promise
me- therefore, that you will wait for me, that
| may be present at the christening. | will be
back in three hours at the farthest''
The peasant did not think much of this
mighty promise but in the good nature of
his heart he consented, however, to the
strangers request.
The Gar Immediately took his leave the
'''ANN nuns NSAS Soou SOuc, anu nODOuy dD-
peared. The peasant, therefore, followed by
his family, was preparing to carry his child to
church, but as he was leaving his cottage. he
heard on a sudden the tramping of horses
and the rattling of many vehicles. He knew
the imperial guards, and instantly called his
family to come and see the Emperor 90 by
They all ran out in hurry, and stood before
the door, The horsemen and carriages soon
formed circular line, and at last the state
coach of the Car stopped opposite the good
peasants door. The guards kept back the
crowd, which the hopes ofseeing their sovereign
had collected together
The chariot door was opened, the Gar
alighted, and advancing to his host, thus adj
dressed him: 81 promised you godfather.
am come to fulfil my pledge. Give me your
child, and follow me to churchill
The peasant stood like statue-now look
ing at the Emperor with the mingled emotions
of astonishment and joy; now observing his
magnificent robes and the costly Jewels with
which they were adorned, and now turning to
the crowd of mobiles that surrounded him. In
this profuson of pomp he could not discover
the poor stranger who had lain all night with
him upon the straw. The Emperor for some
moments silently enjoyed his perplexity, and
then addressed him thus:
Yesterday you performed the duties of
humanity to-day am come to discharge the
most faithful duty of sovereign-of recon-
pensing virtue. | shall not remove you from
a situation to which you do so much honor,
and the innocence and tranquility of which |
envy; but viii bestow upon you such things
as may be useful to you. You shall have
numerous floclSs, rich pastures, and house
that will enable you to exercise the duties of
hospitality with pleasure. Your newborn
child shall be my ward; for you may remem-
her," continued the Emperor, smiling ''that
/ prophesied he would be Fortunate. %
The good peasant could not speak, but with
tears of grateful sensbility in his eyes, he
ran instantly to fetch the child, brought him
to the Emperor, and laid him respectfully at
his feet The excellent sovereign was quite
affected he took the child in his arms and
carried him to church, and after the ceremony
was over, unwilling to deprive him of his
mothers care, lie took him to the cottage, and
ordered that he should be sent to him as soon
as he could be weaned.
The Car faithfully observed his engage
ment, caused the boy to be educated in his
palace, provided amply for his future settle
ment in life, and continued ever after to heap
favors upon the viItuous peasant and his
family