, 1888-06-28
A WIFE FOR A POEM.
THE REWARD NAPOLEON III GAVE A
syCoPHANTIc vERsE-wRITER.

syCOPHANTlC VERsE-WRiTER.
From the Now York Journal.
When the Emperor Napoleon Ill
was writing his "Life of Cesar" and
was casting ambitious glances at IL
chair in the Academy, n poet, whose
name shall be unknown to fame,
wrote few verses on the emperor's.
work, referring to him as the "Greater
Caesar of these later years"
1t was absurdly sycophan,ic in
spirit, says u Paris correspondent Of
the Chicago Tribune, but it was so
exduisitely phrased that it attracted
wide attention. The writer sent u
COPY Of it, cugrossod ON parchment.
to the emperor. In return the en-
peror sent MIN II splendid diamond
ring and an invitation to call at the
luilories.
When the poet came the emperor
received him anectionately, and after
some conversation asked him If he
was married.
"No, sir.
"And why don't you get 'married?'
See here. Would you marry II lady,
young beautiful, OF ardent d isposition,
and with Il handsome dowry, if you
met such one, who was willing 10
have you?
"Tes, sir, l should be only too
happy"
"Well, then, come here tomorrow
night at 10. will present you to he
At the ippointed time the poet
again presented himself at the palace
and was admitted to the emperor's
presence. The emperor was in street
dress, and at once put on II 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 retired part OF
the city. They entered, and the en-
peror said
"Wait here until prepare her for
your coming
So saying he ascended the stairs,
leaving the poet in Il small reception
room. In few minutes he reap
pcared and beckoned the poet to fol-
low him. They went up stairs and in
n luxurious boudoir found the lady.
She was all that the emperor said:
young, beautiful and charming.
"My dear Marie said the emperor,
"allow me to present Mr. -, who
comes as II suitor for your hand"
Then he abruptly left the room
The poet did not repent his bargaitn
He found the lady ready TO acc'p
his wooing, and, knowing the imperial
favor depended upon his discretion,
he dId not seek to learn her past his
tory.
They were quietly married few
weeks later the brides dowry being
100000.
The poet was never again invited TO
the Tuileries, however, nor did he ever
again have Il 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, &C.
companying him.
His career there was a prosperous
one, and he remained there until his
death, which occurred six or seven
years ago. His widow then returned
to Paris and became the wife Of
Russian nobleman.
On the occasion Of the pOet-diplo-
mats death IA remark was made by
/ General Fleury the confidential friend
and business agent of the late EN-
peror.
"He was lucky chap" said Fluery,
''to get such wife; and it was hard
bi, OF luck for the emperor to have to
pay such II price to have to get rid of
50 charming an incumbrance."
"liad She" was asked, " incumbered
HIS Majesty long"
NO" said Fluery, "the emperor
had not known hcra month. But the
empress had got on her track, and you
know Eugenie was regular Tartar
when she was jealous.