The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-11-06
HEsRfETTE.

At Saint Helena, when the weather
was favorable, Napoleon always rode out
either in his carriage or on horseback,
but rs soon IS he became familiar with
the confined space allotted to him there,
he often preferred exploring the secluded
roads. After having finished his daily
task Of dictetion flor one of his favorite
ocoupations was the dictation of his
rnamoirsl, and spent some hours in
reading, he dressed about three o'clock,
and then went ont, accompanied by
General Bertrand, Monsieur Las Cases,
or Gen. Gourgaud.
His rides were all directed to the
neighboring village, which he took much
pleasure in exploring, and where he
found himself more free from observa-
ton. Though the roads were in some
places almost impossible, his taste for
exploration seemed to increase rather
than diminish-even the pleasure of
ranging this valley was to him 8 spe-
cies Of liberty. The only thing to
which he had an unconquerable aver
sion was meeting the English sentinels.
who was constantly stationed to watch
him. In one Of these rides he found q
seduestered spot in the valley, which
afterward became to him daily retreat
for meditation.
One day he discovered neat cottage
among the rocks Of the valley, and en-
tered the garden attached to it, which
was radiant with flowers and geraniums,
which Q young girl was Watering. This
Young girl was o brunette, and as
fresh as her flowers; she had large blue
eyes OF most pleasing expression, and
Napoleon. always an admirer OF the fair
sex. was much struck with her beauty.
'sPray, what is your name?" he in
quired.
ssHenrietts,s she replied.
tYour surname, ! mean?"
"BroW."
ssYou seem very fond of flowers"
ssThey aTe AL my fortune, sir. ;"
ssHow il that"
every day I take my flowers to the
town, where ! obtain few sous for my
bouqusts."
.1nd your father and mother, what do
sAiasl have neither, replied the
young girl, with much emotion.
No 'parentsf"
ssNot one; / am quite stranger in
this island. Three years ago my father,
an English soldier, and my mother left
London with me for the Indies, but,
alaa. nav father died on the voyage, and
when the vessel reached this island, my
poor mother was 30 i'll that she could not
proceed further, and we were left here.
She was Ill for long time, and having
no resources left for our support, was
advised to sell flowers. A gentleman in
the town, who made inquiries as to our
prospects, took pity on us, and gave us
this cottage, where my mothers health
Improved, and where she lived nearly
two years, during which we were sup
ported by the sale Of flowers. About
year ago my poor mother had relapse,
and obtained release from all earthly
snffsrings. On her desthbed she recon-
mended me to trust in Providence, and !
feel o pleasure in obeying her last wish. "
The young girl. having thus spoken,
bust into tears. During this short re-
cita1 Napoleon was much affected, and
when she burst into tears, he sobbed
loudly. At length be said:
ePoor ehildi What sins could you
hsva nommittsd that yon should have
bse1 1xiled here 30 sniserably? Singular
fulGaimens Of destiny! Like me, she has
no oo1nsry, no family she has no
m9ihof, and III havo no ehildt
Altar ptonouncing th1he words, the
xlnbotoz afaio 1obbed andsnly, and his
sAfs fo&f q lfesiF Xe9; 1llia great pan,
tHn k',I lees q the n.set nfilliAnt
''""S , lsss We e
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