St. Landry democrat., 1888-07-07
A WIFE FOR a POEM,
The Reward Napoleon III. Gave a Syce
phantfc Verse Writer.

The Reward Napoleon III. Gave a Syco-
, phantfc yerse-Writer.
When the Emperor Napoleon III. was
! writing his Life of Cesar and was
casting ambitious chances at chair in
the Academy, a poet, whose name shall
be unknown to fame, wrote few verses
on the Emperor's work, referring to
him as the Greater Caesar of the later
years.
1t was absurdly sycophantic in spirit,
but it was SO exquisitely phrased that
it attracted wide attention. The writer
sent copy of it, engrossed on parch-
ment, to the Emperor. In, return the
Emperor sent him a splendid diamond
ring and an invitation to call at the
| Tuileries.
When the poet came the Empero re-
ceived him affectionately, and after
some conversation asked him if he was
married.
"No, sir"
"And why don't you get married?
See here. Would you marry a lady,
young, beautiful, of ardent disposition,
and with a handsome dowry, if you
met such a one, who was willing to
have you?"
Eyes, sire, I should only be too
happy"
"Well, then, come here tomorrow
night at ten. l will present you to
her"
At the appointed time the poet again
presented himself at the palace and
was admitted to the Emperor's pres
ence. The Emperor was in street
dress, and at once put on large cloak
and hat that concealed his identity,
and led the poet to side door. There
they entered coach and were driven
to bijou villa that stood in the midst
of spacious grounds in a retired part
of the city. They entered, and the
Emperor said
"Wait here until I prepare her for
your coming"
So saying he assembled the stairs,
leaving the poet in a small reception
room. In few minutes he reappeared
and beckoned the poet to follow him.
They went upstairs and in a luxurious
boudoir found the lady. She was all
that the Emperor had said: young,
beautiful and charming.
my dear Marie" said the Emperor,
"allow me to present M. -, who
comes as sutton for your hand
Then he abruptly left the room. The
poet did not repent his bargain. He
found the lady ready to accept his
wooing, and, knowing that the inn
perial favor depended upon his discre-
ton, he did not seek to learn her past
history. They were quietly married a
few weeks later, the brides dowry be-
ing 100000.
The poet was never again invited to
the Tuileries, however, nor did he ever
again have personal interview with
the Emperor, but he soon received, to
his surprise, an appointment in the
diplomatic service in a distant part
of the world. This he accepted and
went there to live, his wife, of
course, accompanying him. His ca
reer there was prosperous one, and he
remained there until his death, which
occurred six Or seven years ago. His
widow then returned to Paris, and be-
came the wife of a Russian nobleman.
On the occasion of the poet-diplo-
mats death remark was made by
General Fleury, the confidential friend
and business agent of the late En-
peror.
HE was lucky chap" said Fleury,
ito get such a wife; and it was hard
bit of luck for the Emperor to have to
pay such price to get rid of so charm
ing an incumbrance."
Had she," was asked, I" 'incum-
bered' His Majesty long?"
''No," said Fleury, ''the Emperor
had not known her month. But the
Empress had got on her track, and you
know Eugene was regular Tartar
when she was jealous. Paris Cor.
H.