Evening star., 1881-12-28
The Match-Making Napoleon.


Napoleon could be liberal for his own sake to
those who could help him, always on the condi-
tiOn of their absolute subserviency But he ap.
pears to have been almost destitute of real gen
erOsity of soul; he took a positive pleasure i'll
| wOunding sensitive natures, and he was given
to indulging in Outbursts OF brutality which
sometimes passed from rough language into
actual violence. AS for that matchmaking ma
mia OF his, there are two instances among many
| which are strikingly suggestive. One was his
actually proposing, after the divorce from Jose
phine, that she should bestow her hand on the
Prince of Wurtemburg, who, having come to
Paris on political business, had been greatly
| taken by the fascinating Empress Though the
proposal was certainly made. it could scarcely
haye been serious; at all events the Prince would
have had reason to repent the match. for NapO-
leon was in love with Josephine to the last, and
proved his capricious love by his irritable jeal-
Ousy.
In the second instance to which we refer a
marriage was really brought off, in style that
reminds us Of the eastern seragliO or the guard
room; and one of the victims was no less per-
son than Davoust. Napoleon suddenly an
nounced to his brother-in-law, Gen. I.eclerc,
that he, Lecerc, was appointed to the COM
| mand of the st. Domingo expedition and must
sail Immediately. Leclerc demonstrated against
the hasty departure. A sacred tie bound him
alone in the world:-
I'VE must have her married directly-to-
morrow, for example"
But have no fortune to give her."
"Am not here? Tomorrow your sister shall
be married. don't know exactly to whom"
Shortly afterward Davoust entered to inform
Napoleon that he was about to be married.
ITO Mademoiselle Leclerc? find the match
very suitable"
mo. general: with Ma6ame-'
''rO MademOiselle Leclerc."
And DavOust was sent off to Madame Cam
pain in quest OF his future bride.
Romance as 1t Is.
The south wind is signing softly among the
sturdy oaks, whose leafy branches shield from
the pitiless rays of July sun the yelvety, soft
lawn that stretches away to the eastward in front
of lovely DuPage county villa. On the veranda
stands girl, lovely beyond compare, to whom
man-One whose sunny locks and beard OF
tawny gold hue tell plainly of the Saxon blood
that flows in his veins-is talking in an earnest
manner. There is loving look in his soft, blue
eyes, and he speaks with a tender earnestness
that shows he is trying to get there. The girl
| is tapping lightly with croquet mallet the
pretty foot that peeps out half timidly from be-
| meath the pretty morning dress of SOFT blue
cloth. with two rows of ruffies up the back
| stretch. and a polonaise that never cost less
than S22.
Voif DcitidCc nave yOu COuCiuUcO I'D SQ4kc
me?" says the man.
The sunbeams flicker erratically down be-
tween the leaves, making little lights and shades
on the veranda; the grasshOppers sing among
the red clOyers; the little foot, which has sus-
pended its movements during the delivery of
this interrOgatOry, resumes it's occupation.
Adelbert's gaze is still fastened upon the pretty
face that looks slyy down, but the smile has
fed.
No answer comes.
A moment longer and the foot-taps cease; one
or two irresOlute movements Of the body, and
then the white arms, cleaning out from the
loose sleeves are around his neck, and the
brown locks and golden beard are mingled
while the little head goes down On his shoulder
amid a storm Of sobs.
She has hit her bunion.-C Chicago Tribune