The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-26
NAPOLEON'S GRATITUDE.
Or the Sctlcming Colonel.
BY CAPT. ClIAs. HOWARD.
CHH ETER

Auo Wlnub uOWleu uleMally through the
aest rted city of Moscow, and pierced to
the very marrow in the homes of the
French soldiers. The march to Moscow
hud been perilous and bloody one,
and the soldiers saw that a retreat was
inevitable. The guards standing on the
corners of the silent streets, shivered,
leaned against the buildings, and Thought
Of past conflicts, new victories, and
home and friends. But alas! how few al
then. survived that disastrous retreat to
clasp wives, sisters, mothers, and sweet
heart to their war-worn breasts.
1t was nearly midnight when figure
emerged from an imposing Russian
builiing.l md hurried of down thestreet.
The step upon the frozen walk was thst
Of q soldier and a monarch. He was en-.
veloped in long military cloak, that al:
most touched the ground. His face was
not visible; but the richly trimmed,
three-cornered hat, proclaimed him
man ranking high in tho armies of
Franc And he did rank high, for he
was the man upon whom tha eyes of all
Europe were fixed. In his hand he Held
the destinies of empires, and mighty po:
tentates were conspiring for his over.
throw.
Now the reader knows who that single
pedestrian was-Napoleon Bonaparte.
He ~as on his way to the headquarters
Of his royal brother in.law-the "preux
Cilevalier" r"-Joachim Murat.
Street after street the emperor thread.
edi unaware that he was marching to
the knife of the assassin. With hands
clutc''lng, his cloak to keep it arottnd bis
person, the emperor was thinking ieep.
ly. He foresaw the horrors Of the
coming retreat: and he tremb!ed at the
dreadful fate of his brave soldiers. He
wished thousand times that he had
profited by the words Of Mu,at, which
still rang in his ears.
man had said. IA march to Moscow
will be the destruction of the army"
But he had not Listened to the pro.
phetlc words, and llc cursed his follv as he
walked along.
Around the angle of an old cathedral,
bearded Russian crouched. with dag.
ger whetted for the heart of the worlds
conqueror This man had remained in
the city for the purpose Of killing Napo-
leon, and thus, at one blow, end
the war that was draining Eu-
rope of her treasure of money and
blood, He was religious fanatic, who
thought that the blow, if surely given,
would entitle him to seat at the right
hard of the Throne of Allah, for. in the
Moslem faith lie had been educated.
lie knew Murat waited for Napoleon,
and that tile emperor would surely be
alone, for the conference between the
bruthers.in-law was to be secret. Ev.
cry now and then he peered around the
corner to see if his royal victim was ap.
Droaching, and at last his eyes flashed
.ire, for he saw the little muffied figure
striding towards him. He drew back,
and drew the keen edge of the knife
across his thumb. Yes, it was sharp
enough 70 divide heart of stone, and
with glance upward, as If to ask Allah
% provide him with strength for the
blow, the maniac crouched ready for
The spring.
On, on!came the unsuspecting monarch,
and with tiger spring the Russian
caught him oy the throat. and raised
the glittering blade aloft. Another mo-
ment, and Bonaparte wouldhave been a
dagger Of the assassin, for while the
knife was held in mid-air, the door al
the cathedral was thrown open, gren.
adler dashed out. and. with the butt ol
his musket, levellcd the would.De mur.
derer to the ground.
The emperor drew long breath oi
relief. and prevented his preserver from
pinn:ng the Russian down with his bay.
| onet.
"stay," said Napoleon gently. edo
not mutilate his boly."
"He is dead, sire,' replied the sol.
der; "My blow merely stunned him" }"
But do not kill him."
"He would have slain you SIRE"
''True; but We should deal leniently
with our enemies "Do You know hi n?''
"Only as q Russian and q maniac.
took up my quarters in this old church
saw Eim como 4,ither aud crouch by
the wall knife in hand. thought
would wait and see whom he intended
IT. slay, little suspecting it was you
sire"
"Y,ur hand" cried the emperor
Rrasping the hand of the grenadier
"You have doneja noble deed. Napoleon
thanks you; but the emperor will reward
you. Your nameY
jacques VramOnt, slre.
Jacques Vramont. will not forge
it. Good night, my brave fellow. d.
not, pray you, mention this rencontre
for the soldiers would seek the life o.
this poor maniac"
81 will obey you, sire," said the eren
adler, bowling to the emperor. "Goot
night"
= Glancin2 at the PROSTATE Russian; Ma
poleon resumed his walk, and the sol.
der re.entered the cathedral. Present
ly the Muscovite rose to his feet. ant
stared wildly around. He placed hi
hand upon his head, and found a mas
Of clotted blood; he owed his life to tn
fur cap, for otherwise the blow woul
have broken his skull. He saw that t
plan had failed, and sullenly he walke
away, mutter ng something, and eve
and anon raising his eyes solemnIy up
ward.
The following day Jacques Vramon
was created captain.
CHAPTER II.
One night in tho -,nonth of January
1914, q young girl was seated on ric