Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-04-23

was then one of the most elegant pas
sages or covered ways in Paris. There
WAS a shop attracted the attention of
Napoleon. 1t contained tine collec-
ton Of porcelain vases. Two superb
vases were exposed to view, and appear
ing to the emperor very tasteful, he en-
tered the shop and demanded the price
Tho mistress of the shop, with sheer
on her counteuance, coolly asked him if
he wished to purchase them.
"Why, madame, should not have
asked the price unless 1 had thought
of purchasing them!" exclaimed Napo-
leon. irritate,. at the cool impudence of
| the woman.
-Four thousand francs-nct far
! thing 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 woman,
with her hands ia her pockets, added
sarcastically,-
"They cost me five thousand. but it is
! better to sell at loss in these times than
starve. There are fine doings nova
days! Always war-all the world COM
plains! Business is at a standstill now,
and tae shopkeepers are ruined; but
we do not pay less taxes"
During this address Napoleon's coun-
tenance became highly expressive
his eyes flashed, and his cheeks were
flushed with rage. At length he inter-
rupted her by saying
"Maialne have you a husband ?
Where is he? Can see him?"
"Eh! la la! do not be angry, mon
sieur! have a husband, thank heaven,
but he is gone to seek for money. But
what can you want with him when l
am here?"
Enough. madame, enough 1
wished to tell your husband that--per-
haps l should send for these nice
vases
He then left tue shop, disguised with
the woman, whose GOODNESS and politics
had SO much ex 4sperated him.
"Faith!" said he, when he had re-
joined Duroc, II have hal sound lee
ture from foolish woman, who seems
to attend more to politics than her
business. Ga! l will have her hus-
bands head shaved; it is his fault"
The emperor and the grand marshal
now returned to the TuillerIes, having
both met with adventures, the one with
a shopkeeper, the other with waiter.
About six weeks after these occur
rences, Napoleon said one evening to
Duroc,-
II have nothing to do now; suppose
we go and see how the shops look. By
the by, how did you settle that aft air at
the Chinese baths?"
"lndeed, sire, am glad you have
mentioned the subject, for I had quite
forgotten all about it"
THAT Is wrong, Duroc, very wrong.
l may be allowed to forget such trifes,
but you,"-
"Sire, I will Immediately make the
amende honorable"
eyes, do, and let it be done in way
which will please me; you understand.
At the same time let the female poiiti-
clan be ordered to send her husband
here with the two vases which I looked
at when / paid her visit. am some
what in her debt. All! ali! It's my turn
now, and we shall seer
Duroc having given precise direc-
tions to one OF the imperial footmen,
dispatched him to the Bains Chinois,
when lie thus addressed the mistress OF
the cafe,-
Madame, did not two gentlemen
breakfast here about six weeks since,
without settling their bill?
Eyes, monsieur" replied the lady,
very much troubled, seeing that the
inquirer wore the livery of the palace
Well, madame, those gentlemen
were the emperor and the grand mar
shall of the palace. Can see the waiter
who became security for them?"
Yes-certainly-sir."
The mistress rang the bell and felt
very uneasy; she thought of nothing
less than going to the palace to implore
the forgiveness of the emperor. When
the waiter appeared, the footman gave
him roll OF fifty napoleons, and said
to him.
In addition to this, the grand mar
shal of the palace has charged me to
say that if you have any favor to ask
for yourself or friends he will be most
happy to grant it."
The name of the waiter was Dargens;
he fastened to accept the kind offer OF
the grand marshal, who instantly made
him one Of the imperial footmen. He
soon gained the confidence of the EN-
press Josephine, and became her spe
cial attendant. After her divorce he
accompanied her to Malmaison, and
singular destiny of men of this time
eventually entered the service of Wei
lington in 1874.
After the visit of the Bains Chinois
the imperial footman reached the pas.
sage des Panoramas, when he entered
the shop of the voluble woman.
Sir" said he, addressing the mas.
ter. "you are requested to 60 to the
palace this instant with the two vases
which the emperor inquired the price
Of about six weeks since in your shop.
His imperial majesty is now waiting for
you"
, Heavens" he cried. ct shall be
Then addressing his wife, who was
terribly frightened and unable to speak,
he said,-