The Republican journal., 1886-12-23

very presence equal to ten -
thousand soldiers. When the for
tunes of the Emperor began to
wane, Murat, to his eternal dis
grace began to intrigue with the W
allies. However brave In battle he
was traitor at heart. At the last V
moment he deserted Napoleon. but
was abandoned by his newly made
friends in turn. Fighting his way
inch by inch through hostile
country, his brave army dwndling
away day by day. he was at last captured bv a
band of common peasants. Taken into a cas-
tie one dark night, after the mere sembance of
court martial, he was condemned to DEATH
An hour later, the brave but tickle soldier was
face to face with his eXecutioners, With that
calm courage only The bravest can command,
he barred his breast nd bid the soldiers do their
duty. moment later and the hearts blood
of the greatest of French MarShals dyed the
castle floor. Then the troubles of his family
began. His youngest son, Napoleon Lucien
Murat. was at that time but twelve years of
age. 1t is this son that is the hero of our story
this letter. Living with his mother in retire
ment until 1922, he was then taken to Spain,
where shortly afterwards he was arrested on
suspicion and thrown into prison. As soon as
the liberation was granted lie Immediately set
sal! to JOIN his uncle, King Joseph, in America.
The Count received him kindly at Bordentown
and built for his use fine residence on a Dor
Park st3tp
stands, and is the best preserved of any with
the exception of the Lake House." built by
Joseph for the use Of Prince Charles, and his
wife, the Princess Zenaide. 1t is low, ramb-
ling structure, of peculiar architecture, but
elegant for those days Up to this time the
eXilcd life of the Count had been one of calm
repo>c and contentment; but now his troubles
began. The wild blood which coursed through
the father, had been transmitted. and now
flowed through the veins of the son. Prince
Murat although kind at heart was
UTTERLY RECKLESS IN HIS PRIVATE LIFE
Again and again did Joseph pay his debts and
furnish him good advice. but the unbalanced
prodigal would only plunge still deeper into
dissipation. Joseph never forgot that he had
once been a King; Murat could never realize
that he was still Prince. His COMPANIONS
We're all the fast Young men of the town. lie
had not the slightest conception of the value of
money. Occasionally he would get a remittance
from France of several thousand dollars Then
for few days Murat would paint the town
red. Five thousand dollars would usually last
him about three days. He had great love for
trotting horses, but not the slightest Judgment
in their selection. His receipt of a draft from
Europe was the signal for the sharpers to
gather. An old horse would be fixed up. his
teeth ground down, and his general appearance
made to resemble a bloodcd animal Then bills
would be circulated advertising a great horse
trot. Murat was sure to be on hand. At the
last moment some reason would be trumpcd
up for postponing the trot. Then Murat would
be called in to inspect the animal. Before
leaving the premises the chances would be that
the Prince would pay thousand dollars for
the horse and order it taken to his stables.
Whenever he chose to act the part Of gentle
man no man could excel him in grace and
charming manner. Yet in his daily intercourse
with those around him he was entirely destitute
of dignity. He would sit down by the side of
the road and play game of cards with negro
hostler for the drinks at any time. Equally
ready was he TO roll ten pins or play billiards.
Out on the Trenton road some half mile from
the village stands an Old hotel called the "Whitc
Horse Tavern" To this place he would
frequently repair and in company with gang
of loafers carouSe the greater part of the
night On one occasion there came up violent
thunder storm just as he was starting for
home. The Prince had on a new suit of clothes
and did not wish to get them soiled. Taking
them off and rolling them all into a bundle he
gave a man present five dollar gold piece to
deliver them at his house in the morning
Then starting, without shred of anything on
his body, he ran for home like deer, reaching
there without being observed. The story soon
got out, but attracted little attention, however,
as such things were expected from the Prince
as a matter of course In his personal appear
ance Murat was
A MAGNIFICENT SPECIMEN OF MANHOOD.
Standing six feet four inches in his stocking
feet and perfectly proportioned he would attract
attention in any crowd. His complexion was
as clear and fresh as that of babe. This was
IL peculiar and distinguishing feature of every
member of the Bonaparte family. While
generally of an easy going and good natured
disposition, he would sometimes break out into
the most frantic spasms of rage. Mr. VIM. f.
Beatty, who worked as head man on the Princes
estate for several years, told me that these
paroXysms Of rage would come upon him
when least expected. Things might happen
that would try the patience of an angel and
Murat would be as calm as a summer breeze:
at another time the most frivolous cause would
throw him into tempest of violence. Be
meath all this rough exterior, however, Murat
was exceedingly kind hearted His generosity
knew no bounds but an empty pocket If he
called boy to hold his horse for Il moment,
the lad was sure to get the first piece of money
the Prince got his hands on, whether it was a
silver dime or a gold eagle. With such a
disposition it was but natural that he was
almost continually hard up. Then he would
send Mr. Beatty over to ask the Count for the
''loan' of few hundred dollars. Nearly
always Beatty would come back with the money.
Every morning a servant was sent over to the