The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-11-25
THE GYPSY COUNTESS.
Romantic Incident ia the Life Of Napoleon BOneparte
By s. A. SMITH.

Romantic Incident in the Life OF Napoleon Boneparte.
By s. A. SMITH.
Paris was wild with enthusiasm. and
shouts of 'Gong live the Emperor came
from every street and lane of. the great
city. Applause, congratulations, and
expressions of confidence came to the
great conqueror from all quarters. At
the palace the scene was a brilliant one
The magnificent dresses of the ladies,
their costly yelvets, and flashing Jewels,
the rich uniforms and court costumes
blazing with gems of the eourtiers and
brave Generals of France, then the thou
sand cleaning lights, the gorgeous furni-
ture and ornaments, the parade and
pomp of royal etiquette made up
bright, glowing picture, equal to fairy
land
Seated under silken canopy was the
Emperor Napoleon, and at his side
Josephine the Empress, whose quiet yet
regal demeanor would have marked her
anywhere as distinguished parsonage.
Napoleon, with his pale, intellectual
countenance, his dark, piercing eyes,
and naughty air, looked every inch the
great General and conqueror The EN-
press, noted for her love and splendor,
was attired In a rich, white silk, thickly
covered with gold embroidery and costly
lace; on her dark, shining hair rested a
coronet of diamonds and a necklace of
the same gems flashed like river of
light on the white throat Her mantle
was of imperial purple, relieved by
small, white flowers formed of pearls.
She was surrounded by bevy of beau
ties whose fresh, young charms far out
shone those of the creole Empress.
After the affairs of court and camp had
been discussed and the royal pair had
receiTed the congratulations and compli-
ments of those by whom they were so
greatly admired and revered, Napoleon
and Josephine retired to the privacy of
their own apartments, and then each one
gave themselves up to the gayety and
enjoyments of the hour.
ssWhat say you to visit to the gypsy
camp?" said the young Count st. Aubyn,
one of the handsomest gallsnts at the
court. ST hear that among the tribe is
a beautiful girl, a sort of Queen, to
whom all pay homage, and this Tara, for
such Is her name, has wonderful gift of
seeing into the future, can lift the mystic
veil and read page from each life for
those whose curiosity prompts them to
take peep into the dim beyond"
.fWith all my heart, say T." exclaimed
q bejewelled and perfumed exquisite,
who stood near the Count; sI am ali
impatient to catch glimpse of the
gypsy Queen, and to see what the future
has In store.
ALI the ladies were ready and eager to
accompany the gentlemen on their visit
to the camp, and soon carriage after car
riage, with their gay and lovely occupants,
rolled away over the shaded avenues out
into the beautiful country where the
rowing band of gypsies were encamped.
It was a scene for an artist On all sides
an autumn-hued forest, which the rays
Of the declining sun were bathing in a
sea of liquid, golden light. Through
the leafy interstices a picturesque en-
campment of gypsies could be seen at q
little distance. Standing apart from the
other tents was small one made OF
alternate stripes of crimson and white.
It was near q silvery stream, the music
Of whose running waters made sweet.
low melody. As the party of high-bred
court beauties and gay cavaliers ap-
preached the tents, men, women and
children came out and gazed curiously at
the elegantly dressed group.
Approaching man who seemed to be
the chief, st. Aubyn said, in imperious
tones:
I'VE want our fortunes told. Bring
the woman hither, for we are not used to
waitingl"
'Indeed,n replied the man, laughing
scornfully, as he very deliberately sat
down on the messy ground and took q
child in his arms, "me-thinks, my
naughty gentleman, you forget you are
away from court, where cringing and
fawning is the fashion of the hour. Here
you are in the forests, out In free air,
not more free than we, whom you address
30 loftily. We are not used to such 9
manner. Nay, I care not for your frowns
I am king here and brook no commands
When you ask In more fitting way tc
see my daughter I may comply with
your request" and, rising, the man wa.
about to retire, when Blanche Deveigne
the belle and beauty, the rarest fowel
amid all the court exotics, came forward
and with q smile upon her lovely
countenance and sparkle of mischief il
her violet eyes, said, in her well-bred
silvery tones:
Monsieur, pardon; but you would
not disappoint SO many, especially tn,
ladies? We are all so impatient to hav,
our fortunes told by the pretty queer
who is said to have the rare gift O
second sight. Surely your majesty vii
deign to notice my request, made in tn
most humble manner possible" and tn
maiden made low, sweeping courtes
TO the dark -browed man before her, who
for moment, hardly knew whether t
be pleased or vexed with the merry girl
but at length, vanquished by the lovely
smiling face, and more by the shinin
gold piece she slipped into his hand, b
answered.:
'fYou think, perhaps, that my child
rude, ignorant and coarse; that she
nothing but vulgar, wandering vagrar
like her tribe. You are mistaken. ST
is ft to mate with the eagle, and 81
shall. But you shall see her," an
putting a whistle to his lips the ma
blew shrin call The flowing draper
of crimson and white at the door of IL
tent occupied by the queen was draw
aside, and at the entrance stood IL
slight, girlish figure of Tara; dal
complexion, but with vivid blush upc
her cheeks and lips. Her hair was bluis
black, and was braided in massi'
4