Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-02-12
MADAME IMAGINATION.
The wife of the President of franc

The Wife of the President of fFrnnce.
Every afternoon, between two and three,
portly looking lady, with a kindly ex-
preston of countenance, with large blue
eyes, and hair slightly tinged with gray,
may be seen to leave the Executive
mansion, at Versailles, leading little
girl by the hand and devoting her at
tention Immediately to number of poor
people, who seem to have waited for her,
and among whom she and her pretty
little companion then distribute aims,
addressing few benevolent words to
each of the recipients of their chari-
ties.
When the two, whom the most casual
beholder will at once recognize to be
mother and daughter, appear the two
sentines respectfully present. arms.
They leisurely walk down the superb
avenue, and move among the other
promenadars in the most unostentations
manner, standing still even, now ard
then, and exchanging few pleasant
words with acquaintances. But
for the glances which most of the pass
ers.by send after the lady, you would
believe she was the wife OF some govern
ment employe-perhaps of deputy in
the National Assembly, for she wears a
simple black dress, and her bonnet, al
though of faultless shape, cannot have
cost many dollara. And yet she is at
the present time the foremost lady in
France, the consort of Marshal Macma-
hon, President of the French Republic.
The career of this eminent lady. al
though the papers have had very little
to say about her, has nevertheless been
an eyentful one; and in her present ex
alted position, Notwithstanding her
quiet and unobtrusive demeanor, she is
known to exert momentous influence
upon the decision Of her husband. The
latter admires pluck, and it may be
truly said he has a plucky wife Indeed,
il was an act of heroism on her part that
first attracted his attention toward her
1t was on the lst of December, 1888,
at an advanced hour of the night, that
fire broke out in the female seminary Of
Limoges. The flames spread with such
rapidity that the fair young inmates
could be rescued only with the utmost
difficulty. At last, when all of them
were believed to be assembled, shivering
in their thin night dresses, ii front of
the burning edifice, the cry resounded
suddenly, Louise de Bailly is still in
the building"
The lookers-on stood as il petrified,
and the fremen did not venture to enter
the house which now looked like fiery
furnace. Poor Mademoselle de Bailly
was already given up as hopelessly lost,
when all of sudden tall young girl,
with her blonde hair hanging loose over
her shoulders, and her deep blue eyes
flashing out the heavenly fire of inspira-
ton and indomitable courage, rushed
out from among her terrified young Sis
ters exclaiming, " will try to find herl'
and ran toward the burning building. A
thousand voices shouted, DO not risk
your life thus foolishlyr
Others prayed for dear Heloise,"
who thus recklessly risked her own life
in order to save that Of one Of her young
classmates. But none of the warning
exclamations deferred the heroic girl
from her purpose. In few seconds she
had entered the front door, undaunted
by the binding smoke and the flames
that were momentarily gaining ground.
For the spectators of this thrilling
scene this was a. moment OF supreme
suspense. The strongest hearts quailed
when the heroic girl did not Immediately
return. A minute, nay two, elapsed,
and minutes, under such circumstances,
are eterzities. But all at once her white
nightgown appeared in the door. Yes,
il was she; and by the hand she led the
terrified Louise de Bailly Such a shout
as went up from the relieved crowd.
Such praises as were showered upon the
brave young girl.
But she herself was half ashamed Of
being thus feted Mon Dieu" she ex-
claimed. 1t was easy enough to ascend |
that stairway; it was not yet on fire. Only |
the smoke troubled me little. Had / /
waited a minute longer, poor little |
Louise would have been lost"
At the reopening of the seminary, a |
few months later, NJ. Sarregnin asked /
Heloise to step forward. /
and presented her in the name Of King /
Louis Philippe, a handsome gold medal
Ior saving a human life, and praised her
courage and devotion in eloquent terms
Df enthusiasm.
The grit honored blushed deeply,
and when the hall in which the opening
we're held resoundee with
heartfelt applause, Msdemoiselle Heloisc
vas more confused than at that memo
able moment when she had rushed into
he flames.