The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-11-06
souvenir of nv visit % your cottage

Gather some of your best flowers and
make q grand bouquet"
Henriette quickly made the bouquet,
and when NapoleonAgave her five Louis
dor for it, she cried with astonishment:
"Ah, grand Dieu! sir, why did you not
come sooner! My poor mother would not
then have diedp
stWell, well, my child, those are very
good sentiments. / will come aud see
you again.
Then, blusing and regarding the five
pieces Of gold, Henriette replied:
ssBut, sir, can never give you flowers
enough for all this money.
"Do not let that trouble you" "
answered NapoIeon, smiling. II will
dome and fetch them"
HE then left her. When he had re-
gained his companions he informed
thSm OF his discovery. He seemed
haispy in having found one as unfortu-
natA as himself to console; and, on the
spotI the young Henriette augmented
the special nomenclature of Longwood.
He called her ssthe Nymph of st. Hell
ena,' for among his friends Napoleon
habitually baptized all that surrounded
him by o familiar cognomen. Thus the
frequenied. he called the "Valley of
Silence Mr.. Barcombe, with whom he
stayed on his first arrival at st. Helena,
was the "Amphitryon." His cousin, the
major, who was about six feet high, was
called s.the Giant" Sir George Cock
burn was designated as Mr.. Admiral, '
when the Emperor was pleased; but
when he had cause for complaint, his
only title was " the Shark"
Some days after this visit to the cot
tage, Napoleon said, when dressing, that
he would return to his pupil, and per-
form his promise. He found the young
girl at home; she had learned since his
last visit the name of her benefactor; and
much moved, not SO much by his past
grandeur as by his recent calamities, en-
treated him to accept the hospitality of
her humble cottage. She then brought
him figs, and water from the spring of
the river valley.
stSire," she said to Napoleon, 81 have
waited at home for you since you were
last here, and have, consequently, not
been able to procure wine for you, as
our bounty will now enable me to do
so.'
ssAnd if you had, !" said the Emperor,
ST should have scolded you well. When
come to see you I wish nothing better
than your water, which is excellent On
this condition, will revisit you. After
all, Jam an old soldier as your poor
father was; and the soldier who is not
satisfied with figs and water is no soldier
at all. I"
From this day Napoleon did not visit
the valley without calling at the cottage
of Henriette. On these occasions she
presented him with magnificent bou-
quet, prepared especially for him; and
after little friendly chat with her he
would continue his ride, familiarly dis
cussing with those who accompanied him
on the great and excellent qualities
which this young English girl possessed.
In the following year Napoleon began
to suffer from the attacks of the malady
which afterwards proved fatal to him.
Henriette, not receiving the visits of
her benefactor, went to inquire after his
health; and after having left the custom
airy bouquet with one of his, attendants,
returned home very disconsolately. One
day shortly afterward, as she was sitting
in her garden, she heard the sound of an
approaching carriage, and, running
quickly to the gate, found herself in the
presence of Napoleon. AS soon as she
beheld him her face assumed an ex-
preston of great sadness.
"You find me much changed, do you
not, my child ?" said he, in faint voice.
"Yes, sire, do, indeed; but / hope
that you will be restored soon to health. +"
81 much doubt it, he said, struggling
his shoulders with an air of incredulity.
Nevertheless, / much wished to pay
you visit to-day, to see You and your
flowers again"
He then slowly descended from the
carriage, and, leaning on the arm of Ber-
trand, reached the cottage. When he
was seated he observed:
GIVE me cup of water from the
spring, my dear Henriette; that will,
perhaps, cool the fever which consumes
me-here," laying his hand on his side }
The young girl hastened to fetch some.
When Napoleon had partaken of it his
countenance, till then contracted, be-
came serene.
.'Thanksl thanksl my dear child, said
he; ''this water has eased my sufferings
little. If / had taken it sooner, per-
haps-" added he, raising his eyes to
Heaven; "but il is too lste."
"Ahr' replied Henriette, affecting
gaiety of manner, 'sT am so happy this
water does you good. will bring some
every day; it will perhaps cure you.
''No, my dear child, it will be useless
now; all is over. I fear this will be the
last visit shall make here. There is a
settled grief here which is consuming
me land the Emperor touched his sidel !,
and as may never see you again, wish
to leave you s,tuenoiT of me. What
shall give you?"
At these words the young girl could
contain herself no longer but, bursting
into heartfelt tears, fell at the feet of the
Emperor saying
Your blessing, sirep
Napoleon rose and blessed her with
becoming gravity, for he always had re-
spect for the creeds of others.
From this day Henriette did not fail to
visit Longwood regularly. She carried
water from the spring and her customary
bouquet, but always returned home dis
consolate; for each day she received the
most alarming accounts of the health of
the emperor.
At the commencement OF May, 1921 +,
when the sun shone more brightly than
usual. Henriette was informed! that Ma
poleon was much better and that his
reason had returned.
She arrived at Longwood, but alas!
the reality was the reverse of her hopes.
She found every one there in consterna-
ton. This time, fearing that he was
dying, and wishing to see him once
again, she desired to be admitted to his
presence She was told that he was too
i'll, and that it was impossible. Her sup
plications were at first in vain; but at
length her tears and entreaties prevailed,
and she was admitted to his chamber.
It was at this moment that Napoleon,
surrounded by his faithful friends, and
lying on his death bed, had requested
them to place the bust of his son be-
fore him. He then bade affecting fare
wells to his friends and to the French
people, whom he loved SO we'll. His
arms then contracted with commissions,
his eyes became fixed, while he gasped,
"Francei-My sonv' Then all was 81
leEt. Napoleon had ceased to live.
At these words the flowers which the
young girl had brought dropped from
her trembling hands; she fell on her
knees by the bedside; then, making an
effort, she seized and tried to press the
hand of Napoleon to her lips-but i'm