The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-24
nornIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
UTw 0RLEANs eUr;AY SEPTEMBER "a ls7o
EAPOLEOSS FTBST VISIT TO TIE HOTEL
DES INTALIDES.

Grand Marshal, HE aid de camp, Rapp, and
q page. After enjoying brisk gailop
through the Bois de Boulogne he drew mp
At the gate of Malliet, and dismissed his at
tendants with the exception OF Rapp, VINO
followed him into the avenue OF Neullly.
Gallopipg by the spot where the triumphai
arch was then beginning to rice from its
foundations. they reached the grand ave-
nue. of the Champs Elysees, aud proceed
ed towards the Hotel des Invslides. There
Napoleon stopped and gazed at the spien
did edifce, glowing in the beams OF the set
ting sun. .,
times. "Truly Louis XIV was great
kiDgf" Then addressing Rspp, he said,
am going to visit my i1vaiias this even
ing. Hold my horse-I shall not stay long"
And throwing the bride to his aid de camp,
Napoleon passed beneath the principal gate
way. Seeins q o man dressed in q military hat,
and with two epaulets badly concealed oy
his half bu toned redingots the sentry sup
posed him to be a superior officer, ana al
lowed him to pass without question.
Crossing his arms on his cheat, the viel-
tor. having reached the principal court,
stopped and looked around him. SUD
denly the conversation of two invalids
coming out of the building attracted his at
tention. In order to listen, he walked be-
hind them, regulating his pace by theirs,
for they walked very slowly. These two
men seemed bowed down with years, The
less feeble of them led his companion, and
rs they tottered on he looked anxiously
aaound.
Jerome said the elder in a husky
voice, /" do you see him coming"
"No, father but never mind! I'll read
him q lecture which he won't forget in
hurry-careless boy that be is !"
" But, Jerome, we must make some al
lowance for him-we were once young our
selves. BesdesI dare say he thought my
PRAYERS would not be finished so soon this
eveniug-tbe boy has q kind heart"
Napoleon stepped forward and addressing
the old man, said, Apparently, my friend,
you are waiting for some one -
The younger looked up and touched his
hat, for be saw the gleam OF the epaulets.
"Yes, Colonel" replied he, " my father,
Maurice, and have been waiting for Ry
truant son. He knows well that HE grand
father requires the support of his arms to
reach the dormitory, as one of mine is
Here he shook his empty sleeve.
"You are brave fellow said the En-
peror, " and your con has done wrong. But
how came your father" be continued, as
thew walked along, I" TO remain so late
oatY"
the afternoon of the fret of September to
commemorate the anniversary of the king
nnder whom he formerly served"
"Whst king was thati"
"His late majesty, Louis XIV said the
old man, who had not before Joined in the
Louis XIV ~ repeated Napoleon in
aStopishmeut. "Where can you have seen
hin z"
:. Here in this place he spoke to me, and
Ianswered," ;" said Maurice.
"How old are you q
IfIiiye till Candlemas, Colonel, I shall
Be one hundred and twenty one years old.
ga hundred aud twenty one years y
cried the Emperor. And taking the old
mans arm, be said kindly, Lean on me
old eomrade, will support you"
"No, DO, Colonel; know too well the
respect"
Nonsense! l desire it." And the EN-
Seror gently placed the arm within hi
own, although the veteran still resisted.
"Come, father" said Jerome, "do al
the Colonel orders you, or else the end o
fne cold tomorrow. And then this youpt
Cyprien is not coming yet"
lyon must have entered this Hotel Will!
very youpgf" said Napoleon, as the!
walked along.
"Yes. Colonel: was but eighteen whe
fought at Freidlingen, and the Eek
year, st B!cpheim, / received wound !
nv neck which disabled me, and obtaine
for me the favor of entering here
cit was not favor interrupted Nopo
ieon-'' i. " as right
"Ihave lived here upwards OF q hu:
dred years. l was married beTe, and hav
seen all my old comrades pass sEs!. B1
although there are only young people no
in the Hotel, 1 am very happy s!nce n
children came to join me-.
an. jerome" sAid Napoleon, how
are youfT
"Goipg on Linesy one, Colonel; "
born in l7l5."
"Yes," said his father, the very ye
that his late majesty, Louis XIV, died
remember it as well as if il were yest'
cay"
3What battles have you been in, 1
hiendfn
. "At Fonteuoy, Colonel, at LAmtedi,
Rosbach, at BeTghen, and at FHbourg.
was in the last battle lost my arm.
came here in the year 1868, in,the time
Louis XIV"
That poor King" said Napoleon, a
speaking 10 himself, " who signed a sh su
f1l treaty that deprived Fracce Of dftt
hundred leagues of coast"
"And for the last forty-tbree year