The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-26
I'm DISGUISE.
srCupENTs IN TINE LIFE OF NAPOLEON

aUCIDENTA IN TINE LIFE OF NAPOLEON.
from Gen. Hillaire's History.l
Napoleon was very fond Of walking In the
streets of Paris i,,cognito. In search Of adven-
lures.
On these occasions he generally wore a
round hat and long blue great coat, In which
his appearance was not altogether progresses
ing. In consequence OF this he was occa-
slonally received with GOODNESS and indif-
ference to which. proprid persona, he was
unaccustomed.
One morning shortly before Christmas he
rose as early as seven, and, accompanied by
Duroc, Grand Marshal of the Palace, who
wore che same sort Of disguise las Napoleon,
left the Tuilleries just as day was breaking.
After walk through the Place vendome,
thence to the Rue de Napoleon, where he
much admired the splendid mansions which
had recently been erected there. Chatting
Familiarity with Duroc, he observed:
"It seems to me that the Parisians in this
quarter are very lazy to keep their shops shut
at this time Of day.
Diseoursing thus, they arrived at the Chi
nese bathrooms which had been recently
painted and embellished. Az they were crit
icizing the decorations OF the exterior the
cafe which belonged to the establishment
opened.
Suppose we enter and breakfast here"
said Napoleon to Duroc. what do you say?
Has not your walk given you an appetite2"
"Sire, It Is too early; it is only o'clock"
bah! bah! Your watch Is always too slow.
As for me, / am quite hungry. Afterward we
can return home"
And without waiting for an answer Napo-
leon entered the cafe, took his seat at a table,
called the waiter. and ordered some mutton
chops and bottle of Chambertin wine. After
having breakfasted heartily and taken cup
OF coffee, which he protested was better than
he was supplied with at the Tuileries, he called
the waiter and demanded the bill, saying to
Duroc:
"pay, and let US return now"
Then rising and going to the door he be-
gan to whistle an Italian recitative, and
endeavoring to appear at ease.
The Grand Marshal rose at the same time,
but after fruitlessly searching his pockets,
found that, having dressed In haste, he had
forgotten his purse, and he well knew that
Napoleon never carried money about him.
Nevertheless, the waiter came and presented
the bill to the Grand Marshal, who stood
mute with surprise at not being able to dis
charge 1t, although the amount was only
twelve francs.
Napoleon, not knowing what detained
Duroc, and not accustomed to be kept waiting,
re-entered. saying, impatiently:.
"Come, make haste, 1t Is late"
The Grand Maruhal, now comprehending
the unpleasant situation in which he was
placed, and thinking that the best way TO get
out of 1t was to avow frankly his inability to
discharge the debt, approaching the mistress
of the cafe (who sat silent and Indifferent
at the counter), and said politely but con-
Madame, my friend and myself left home
this morning a little precipitately; we quite
forgot to bring our purse-but give you my
word that IN an hour I will send you the
sit may be 80, sir" coldly replied the lady;
but know neither OF you, and we are every
day taken In In this manner. Do you think
that"
Madame" interrupted the Grand Marshal,
men OF honor-we are officers OF the Guard"
"Oh, yes fine excuses, truly-o6icers OF the
Guard, indeed!'
At these words, men of honor and officers of
turned round, and in voice which had caused
heroes to tremble, demanded:
What Is this all about?"
But at sign from Duroc he remained i'm
patiently where he was. The waiter now
stepped forward and volunteered to be an
Swerable Tor the debt. with which assurance
the mistress OF the cafe was satisfied. Duroc
regarded the young man with surprise, and,
drawing from his pocket gold watch encir-
cled with brilliants, said to him:
my friend, you have acted nobly: keep
this watch till | return to recompense you"
sSir" replied the waiter Il have no wish
to take IT, 1 feel convinced that you are men
Good, my friend" said the Grand Mar
shall, "you shall never repent your conf
dence In u.s."
He then rejoined the Emperor.
On their way to the palace, Duroc re-
Napoleon, who laughed heartily, and was
much pleased with the generosity OF the poor
waiter. who had become security for them
without knowing who they We're.
On their way to the palace they came to the
Passage des Panoramas which was then one
of the most elegant passages or covered ways
in Paris. There shop attracted the atten-
tion of Napoleon. 1t contained a fine collec-
ton of porcelain vases. Two superb vases
were exposed to view, and appearing to the
Emperor very tasteful, he entered the shOp
and dem anded the price.
The mistress of the shop with q sneer on
her countenance, coolly asked him ne
wished to purchase them.
why, madame, / should not have asked
the price unless had thought Of purchasing
them" exclaimed Napoleon, irritated at the
cool impudenee of the woman.
-Four thousand francs-not farthing less,
monsieur"
-Four thousand francs! That is horribly
dear, madame-much too dear for me-"
And touching his hat, he was about to leave
the shop, when the marchdade, with her hands
in her pockets, added sarcasti0ally:
They cost me five thousand, out 1t Is bet
ter to sell at loss these times. than starve.
{ There are fine doings nowadays always
wsr-all the world complains! Business is
at a standstill now, and the shopkeepers are
ruined; but we do not pay less taxes"
During this address NaPOleon's counte-
nance became highly expressive; his eyes