St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-08-23
AURORA.
An Anecdote Said to be Historic, and
Therefore Possibly True.


Therefore Possibly True.
Translated from the French for the Boston Transerip
Captain Dupin :" called Murat, who,
in one of the most beautiful halls of
the Prince de la Paix's palace, at Mad
rid, was occupied in drawing up some
military documents. AS no one an
swered Murat, the prince, as they call
ed him since his recent ennoblement,
raised his head, glanced over the
i group of officers, who, a few PAGES off
i from him, were awaiting his commands;
and, not perceiving among them him
whom he wanted, repeated with irri-
tation, "Well, then, Captain Dupin is
not there ~ Then, in the same way
as an article passes from hand to hand
when a line is formed, the name of the
aide de-camp went flying from mouth
to mouth, from room to room, through
the vast abode-all it's doors being
open, because of the temperature,
which is so warm in May in Spain-was
off on it's way to find the absentee. Be-
cause MuIat did not trifle with the
negligent. He again applied himself
to his writing in silence, consenting,
doubtless, to wait few minutes but
the contraction of his eyebrows into a
wrinkle on his forehead indicated his
bad humor.
This happened in 1908, when Napo-
Icons envoy, who had easily entered
Madrid, thanks to the disturbances in
the kingdom, was awaiting the pro-
gress of events with the secret hope of
being named king of the conquered
country and hardly suspecting that
in the hands of his master he was only
pawn left there, on one of the squares
of the European chessbOard, to keep
the place for the emperor's brother
Joseph.
| Soon was seen running, thanks to
the obliging call of his comrades, the
culprit, charming young man of about
twenty eight, much beloved, an excel
lent soldier, but who, however, for
nearly week had appeared restless,
troubled in word, quite different
from what he usually was.
"Where were you, then, captain 7"
said the prince, severely, on seeing him
come, agitated and slightly out of
breath.
"In the palace, marshal ]"
"That is not enough. You must be
here, near to me. Nevertheless, have
been taking notice of you for some
days. You are entirely changed. Your
animation is gone, you have extraordi-
nary distractions. What, then, has
happened ?"
"Nothing, marshal, l assure you"
"Indeed You are no longer master
of yourself.
"Excuse me. That is true. 1 have
some anxieties, for family reasons"
"And these family reasons live un-
der the palace roof, it appears 2 because
people have met you up yonder, Gid
ing furtively along the corridors. do
not like mysteries, captain do you
understand 2"
The poor officer blushed and turned
pale. Then alarmed at the increasing
severity of his chiefs tone, fearing
some suspicion more serious than the
truth, decided to make confession.
81 have my child, boy of four
ing his head.
The prince flew into passion.
ga child of that age Why not have
nurse at once 2 A brat of a boy in
the midst of war, when at any moment
an instruction may burst out against
the French %
eff necessary, will send him away"
murmured the young man in a sad
voice.
"No; keep him, since he is here.
He could not be sent back through
country ready for revolt. Let him re-
main, but on condition that l never see
him, understand and, above all, on
condition that his presence shall not be
the cause of the slightest breach of
your duty. That would be very pretty
Discipline would go on finely if each
one of us dragged about his progeny
through campaign ]"
Murat, in state of fury, turned his
back, leaving the captain greatly ex-
cited, because he, Maurice Dupin, had
not told all. Not only was he hiding
the child in the upper part of the
house, but the mother, too poor
woman, come from France, after risk
ing thousand dangers, suffering a
thousand deaths, during journey in
a carriage under burning sky in an
enemy's country because she had
wished at any cost again to see and
embrace her husband, and had been
unable to resist the mad Drained desire
for this reunion. "Think, now, if 1
were to die far from thee !" she had
said, with the unceasing cry of a poor
creature on the eve of crisis, real or
imaginary, in which she may be over
whelmed. The young husband did not
feel himself strong enough to turn her
away. He had settled her on the third
floor of the palace, the room was not
missed, and she had since lived in con-
slant fright, due to Murat.
A week rolled by after the explana-
ton. The general spoke no more on
any subject. He continued, however,
to give his orders in short, sharp style
"a sign that his dissatisfaction was
not yet dispelled. But one fine morn
ing, under the influence of an unknown
good humor, he suddenly took it into
his head to ask his aided camp
"Well, about this child Cannot he
be seen 7"
eyes, indeed, marshal. I will go
and find him if you wish it."
In few minutes after the young
father brought love of little soldier
in full parade uniform. A tiny sword
beat against his legs, which were en-
closed i'll red morocco boots, with gold
spurs, and on his shoulders the hus-
sar's pelisse, trimmed with fur in the
Hungarian style, completed the rich
army costume of the time. The cap
tain, foreseeing that, sooner or later,
by chance or voluntarily, the prince |
might see the child, had conceived the |
idea of presenting the little fellow in |
the uniform the most likely to flatter
his superior. The little rascal, in fact,
had only to appear naughty and swag-
gering-pretty enough to eat under
this equipment-to conquer the re-
doubtable chieftain. The marshal |
took him astraddle across his knee,
called him sfmy Jolly dog and made |