The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-08-23
An AilectiOuatc Daughter,

General LajolNis had been condemned
to death for treason against Napoleon
the Great. He had an only daughter,
fourteen years of age, who was remark
ably beautiful. The poor child was in Il
state OF fearful agony in view of the fate
of her father. Ono morning, without
communicating her intentions to any
one, she set ont alone and on foot for St.
Clouds. Presenting herself before the
gate of the palace, by her youth, her
beauty, her tears, and her woe, per-
suadcd the keeper, n kind-hcartcd man,
to introduce her to the apartment Of the
Empress Josephine and Hortcnsc.
Napoleon had said to Josephine that
she must not any more expose him to
the pain Of seeing the relatives OF the
condemned that il any petitions were
to be offered, they must be presented III
writing. Josephine and Hortcnsc were,
however, so deeply moved by the anguish
OF the distracted child, That they con-
trivcd to Introduce her to the presence
of Napoleon III he wns passing through
one OF the apartments of the palace, nc
comwnicd by several Of his prime minis
tcrS.
The fragile child, in dclirium OF
emotion, rushed before him, precipita-
ted herself at his feet, and exclaimed:
Pardon, sirc-partlOn for my father"
Napoleon, surprised Mt this sudden
apparition, exclaimed in displcasurc
az have said that l wished for no such
scenes. Who has dared to introduce
you here, in disregard OF my prohibition !
Leave me, ma,lemoiselle."
So saying, he turned to pass from
her. But the child threw her arms
around his knees, md with her eyes suf-
fused with tears, and agony depicted in
every feature of her beautiful, upturncd
facc, she exclaimed:
Pardon ! pardon! pardon! it is for
my iather."
"And who is your fatheri" said Napo-
leon, kindly. "Who are you'"
az an Madcmoiselle Laiolais," she
replied, "and my father is doomed to
die"
Napoleon hcsitAtel moment, and
then said:
"Ah but this is the second time in
which your father has conspircd against
the State. l can do nothing for you"
"Alas, Sire" the poor child cried,
with great simplicity, 81 know it ; but
the first time papa was innocent and
to-day l do not asli for JUSTICE implorc
pardon, pardon for him I"
Napoleon was deeply moved. His
lip trcmbled, tears filed his eyes, and
taking the little hand Of the child i'll
both of his own, he tenderly pressed it,
and said
"Well, my child-yes For your
sake will forgive your father. This is
enough. New rise and leave me-"
At these words the suppliant girl
tainted, and fell lifeless upon tho floor.
She WIS conveyed to the apartment Of
Josephine, where she soon revived. and,
though in state OF extreme exhaustion,
proceeded Immediately to Paris. NJ.
Lavalcttc, thcu aid.de.camp of Napoleon,
and his wife accompanied her to the
Concicrgerie prison with the joyful
tilings. When she arrived in the gloomy
cell where her father was immured, she
threw herself upon his neck, and her
convulsivo sobbing, for a time, stitled NIL
possible powers of utternncc. Suddenly
her frame became convulscd, her eyes
fixed, and she fell unconscious into tho
arms of Madame Lavalcttc. When she
revived, reason had fled, and tho ailcc.'
tionntc daughter was Il hopeless maniuc
Napoleon, in the evening, WIS in.
formed OF this new calamity. He drop.
ped his head in silence, mnscd painfully,
brushed tear from his eye, and wlls
heard to murmur, ina low tone of voice:
"Poor child poor child! \ fathcr
who has such nGIlnghtcr is still more
culmble. l will take care OF her and
her mother.