The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-24


made your grandfather lean on him."
Cyprien saluted the Emperor, whom in
the increasinC darkness, he did not recog-
uize, and sad, "Now then, sir, with your
permission will resume my post"
"And au hon orsble one il is," said Sapo-
leon. Pray. in what engagement were
you wouudedf"
AT the battle of Fleurus, Colone gam
ed against the Austrians by General Jonr-
dan, now Mashal of the Empire. A voiiey
Of grape-shot knocked out my eye, and
! carried Off both my legs at the same time:
But" added Cyprien, striking his powerful
chest, "my heart wac not touched, nor my
stomach either, and they have both, hope,
come good days work in them yet
Napo,eon smiled. The battle of Fleu-
rus" he ga d, "was fought, l think, in
I7O4f'
"That was already in Bonsparte's time"
remarked Maurice.
| Grandfather" replied Cyprien, please
to say the Emperor Napoleon the Great
| that is his proper title"
"In the time of his late majesty, Louis
"Ah, grandfather" interrupted Cyprien,
i'm patiently, " we're tired of hearing about
that mon arch of the old regime who used to
go to war in a flo ing wig and elk stock
ings! He's not to be mentioned In the same
wear 4gi.h the Emperor; who dresses and
onelf"
Napoleon knitted his brow aud snswered
coldly "You are mistaken, NJ. Cyprien /;
| Louis XIV was q great king 1t was he
who raised France to the first rank among
the nations of Europe; it was he who first
marshalled 4O0,0 900 soldiers on land, and
one hundred vessels on the sea. He added
to ais dominions Roussillon, Frapche
Comte, and Flanders he seated one of his
children on the throne of Spain and 1t
was be who founded this Hotel des lnvs-
lides. Since Charlemagne, there has not
| been q king in France worthy OF being
compared to him"
This eulogium on the monarch whom he
almost idolized, caused the dim eyes of'old
Maurice to sparkle; he tried to strdlghten
himself, and said in q broken voice
Bravo! bravo. Ah! Colonel, you are
worthy to have served his late msJesty,
Louis XIV. Had you lived in his time he
| would have made you O field marshal :"
Somewhat abashed, Cyprien stammered
| out, " Excuse We, Colonel but you know
l never knew this king of grandfather. .. l
only heard him spoken of by some OF the
oldest men here"
And those who spoke disrespectfully of
him." said Napoleon, did wrong. Here. at
all events, the memory of Louis XIV ought
to be venerated."
At that moment lights appeared at the
end of the court, sound OF voices vas
heard, aud many persons approached.
Rspp had waited long time on the spot
where the Emperor had left him but when
it became dark, and his master did not re-
turn, be grew uneasy, and giving the
horses in charge TO a soldier, he entered the
Hotel, and told the Governor, Marshal Sef-
rurier, that the Emperor had been for the
last hour inco9nito within the walls. The
news spread quickly among the officers ;
they fastened to look for their belo7ed mas
ter, and found him on the terrace conversins
with his three companions.
At the cries of " Here he is long live the
Emperor" Cyprien, fixing hs eye atten
lively on the supposed colonel, suddenly
, claimed; ga sire, pardon me. Father
i, grandfather-this is the Emperor himself J
" You the Emperor, colonel = cried the
two old men.
"Yes, my children" replied Napoleon
kindly holding each by an arm, in order tG
much younger than you, 1 am your father
. and the father Of every soldier who ha
fought in the honor OF France J"
At that moment, Rapp, the Governor
{ and their attendants came up and salute'
. Napoleon. With stern LOOK, he said u
: his aid-de. camp, in an uudertone, o'
should have had patience 10 wait" TneI
. turning to the others be said in an af
: fable manner: Approach, marsha
and gentlemen help me to recompens
!, | three generations OF heroes. lnese ofa'
- men, pointing to Maurice, Jerome, an
= Cyprien, " have fought three glorious ba
: Ties FreidliDger, RAcoors and Fieura
Marshal 10 Serrarierl "lend NE yoI
= cross; you shall have one in lie stead 4
morrow he added smiling. 'G Give L
+, yours also, Rspp.'
Having received the two crosses, Nap
: leon gave one to jerome, the other 10 Cy
~ rien and then taking of his own, he ia
~ tened II on the breast of the venerable Aa
> rice, saying as he did so, I" Ny old conrad
"a regret that / did not sooner discharge Il
~ debI which France owes you"
-. :. Long live the Emyeror long live
Emperor ~ shouted all present.
Sire" said Maurice, in voice trembii
with rapture, "you have made the
-. mainder of life happy 70 me and my ca
dren."
my brave fellow" replied NApols
~ giving his hand, which the old uaEu SSH
-. aud pressed respectfully wiki h4s EpE,
=. repeat that am oriy ciSehhTgirg 3 c.