Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-30

the door opened and stood at attention.
We passed in.
Marshal MacMahen was standing
up when we entered. We had both
met him before, and he shook our
hands and asked US to be seated, AS
he stood up he was as erect as an ua-
lifted lance. He had recovered from
the wound he received at Sedan. His
face was fresh-looking and his COM
plexion clear. He was in urdress uni
form, and his breast was covered with
decorations and medals. The military
medal, decoration given to the sous
OFFICERS and SOtdGtS of the army, was
in the place of honor. It took prece-
dence of all the rest. This was in
compliment TO the rank and file of the
army. A few commonplaces were
exchanged and then III. Scanlon I'M
tied the covering which enveloped the
sod of shamrock and reminded the
marshal of the incident which brought
Us there TO visit him.
A table stood in he center of the
room, and as NJ. Scanlon laid the
"chosen leaf of barb and chief upon
It's polished surface the marshal stood
up, and, walking over to where the
sod OF shamrock lay, he took the pot
that held it in his hand looked curi>
ously and closely, at the green emblem
--'Erin's native shamrock" For
few seconds he seemed to be thinking.
as became an humble ex-captain of
the line, and [ was wondering if he
had ever seen genuine sod of sham
rock before. A smile was visible on
NJ. Scanlon's features, when the mar,
shall said:
eyes, that is genuine, and I thank
you very sincerely for your gift. You
know" he continued, my family
were Irish, fbut of course we have been
long time French, but we do not for
get the ties Of kindred and friendship
which have bound the two countries
together for so many centuries.
France will never forget the generous
support Ireland always gave her in
her hours of trial. Therecords Of our
war office prove that between 1890
and 1870 mere than six hundred
thousand Irish soldiers died ia the
service OF France. No, do not give
me the leaves" he said as NJ. Scaulon
was about to break off a few from
their stems to present to him. IT
wand to keep them all and plant them
where we can have a good crop for
next st. Patrick's day, and I promise
you [ shall, if [ live, wear a shamrock
IN nay butt.n hole"
Just then the outer bell rang again.
and we knew that some new visitor
had arrived. Another small bell
tinkled to the pressure of the marshal's
finger. A female servant appeared.
She was told to tell madame the
marchioness that her Irish friends
had returned with the sod of sham
rock from the tomb of O'Connell and
to ask if she could receive US. We
heard footsteps running up stairs.
There was pause. and then we heard
footsteps lightly tripping down again.
There was knock at the door, and
the same girl again entered. She
said
Madame the marchioness will be
glad to see her Irish friends"
The marshal led the way. While
going upstairs we saw a small lady
at the top. She was plump,
and cheerful expression was on her
countenance. She way not stately,
but she was charmingly at ease and
Too womaniy to be affect
ed, she expressed her pleasure in no
stinted terms. She shook our hands
and took the sod Of shamrock with
delight. She would
''put il in her garden. No." she
would "place it in the hot house. And
It was from the tomb of O'Connell"
she asked, looking at her Irish
visitors. She should see it's triple
leaves extended and it's emblens ex-
planned. When told that they rep
resented Glove, valor, and wit" she
laughed and said that these were
worthy emblems for such a people.
At last she playfulIy broke one of the
stems and pinned it on the left breast
Of the marshal's tunic. He did not
demonstrate, but he told her his rea-
son for refusing to injure the sod.
She smiled. and turning to us said |
Eyes, but if this one should die our
Irish friends will get us more" And |
then the marshal babe us a courteous |
adieu and descended to his Office. But |
madame should be shown how to |
preserve the sod of shamrock, and she
led the way to the conservatory which |
stood behind drawing room through |
which we passed. Several degrees of |
heat were tried. At last suitable
place was found and the sod of sham
rock from the tomb of O'Connell was
deposited among the choice exotics
from lands where flowers fringe
eternal SHOWS. She promised as that
ner gardener would be specially in
structed to look after the sod of sham
rock. She was great admirer of /
OConnell's, and valued the souvenir
On that account, as well as because of
is national significance, and deeply
touched at t1e reception we met with
we took our leave.
Two years after this incident I was
again in Paris. Marshal MacMahon
was then president of the republic, NJ
Theirs had been bourgeois presi-
dent; the marshal duke of Magenta |
was grand seigneur. He was allowed