The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-06-22
THE JUGGLER.

During the first term of his consul
ship, when Napoleon was unlimited
master of the state which yet bore the
name of republic, Josephine lived al
her Castle MalmaiSon, where every
evening Napoleon came to visit her.
One day she was dining quite alone
at Malmaison, and while the dessert
was being served a man was admitted
He was about so years old. While Jug
glers and magiciars have a lively ap,
pearance, this mans features were
deeply earnest. He carried a little
table, which he placed before Josephine,
and covered it with worn cloth. After
these preparations he drew out three
Tin cups, with which he executed all
kinds Of jugglery. The balls quad
rupled themselves under his fingers and
formed all kinds of figures and gro
tesque forms, only to disappear again
in a twinkling. Like the musical COM
posers, the magician also has his over
ture before he untolds the panorama to
the eyes of the audience. After this he
touched the magic cups with stick of
oh and cold aM .,J ,-o,, p,au
express any wish and 1t shall be tul
filled. | regret very much that you
have finished your meal, else | could
have brought you dishes which were
wanting on your table to day-the red
feather of the Mediterranean, sardines
of Royan or the little silver fish caught
in the vicinity in which madam was
born-for the great welfare of France.
Madame, you may order whatever
vouf heart wishes. Do you wish a
spotless diamond or a grass fly on
the heather, an Oriental ruby or a
nightingale?" This man, who placed
all the wealth of nature at Josephine's
disposal, seemed to wish that she might
decide upon the nightingale, for he put
his ear to the cup and it almost seemed
as if he heard the melting tones of the
singer of spring. Josephine, whose de
sires, however. were modest, and who
preferred burch of flowers to dia-
mond, selected neither a diamond nor
ruby nor a nightingale, but rose.
She had scarcely spoken the word when
the juggler upset the cup and showed
the astonished lockers on a rose, which
bent gracefully on its stem and filled
the room with sweet fragrance.
"Nly goodness" said Josephine, "you
have cut the prettiest rose in our con-
servatory, the rose which | intended
giving Bonaparte to morrow. 1t would
have unfolded during the night"
BEG pardon, madame" replied the
iuggler politely, "this rose belongs to
me and | have the honor to present it
to the wife of the first consul l would
never dare to touch her flowers and
have never been in her conservatory.
Josephine sent servant to investi-
gate the truth of this assertion and was
told that the rose which was destined
for the first consul was unhurt. Incred-
ulous as a creole she could not hide
her admiration, and, in fact, it was IN
possible TO embarrass the man who was
so entertaining and wonder creating.
He magically drew out of his pocket a
swarm of singing birds which picked up
the crumbs then he filled tumbler
with water and as quickly as he would
upset 1t numberless flowers flowed upon
the persons around, and Josephine
imagined herself in her conservatory.
When the wonders had reached their
highest degree Josephine reached for
the pompsdour, which was hanging on
her armchair, IN order to give some
gold pieces to the juggler. When the
iuggler noticed this he fell down at her
feet, saying: "Madame, yoH can re
ward me hundred times tor this little
pleasure that | have given you, but not
in money-a mercy, madame, a mercy
(Which ?" she asked.
The wonderful man begged her then
to eat one of the apples which were on
her table. Josephine stretched out her
hand for one and placed her knife on
it with the determination of a woman
prepared for surprise. Mother Eve
surely did not reach for the apple with
such longing which caused such misery
to her descendants as Josephine. She
cut through the apple and found inside
a petition to the first consul.
"Madame,' said the jnsgIer. "hefore
you is an u lt.ckv one, who has mixed
in the quarrels of the kings, and ha-
70 h. b.. 70
public. have fought in the Vendea
with Cocarde. which is no more tina:
of my counlr,, a;.d when the party
which | served was defeated | took
flight, to livr IN a strange land. My
country drove me out as traitor. Brand
ed like Cain, wande re! about my
name Is GRO sed from the list of citizens
and put on the emigrant roll. A word
from your lips. madame, can make a
Frenchman of me again and give me
back 10 nv own. You, the adored wife
of the first consul, have the power to
give me blCk to nv country and to my
own."
"Sir," she SAID to the emigrant, Il
will do as you wish. The consul sha.l
read your PETITION and | assure you
that l will do everything can in your
favor"
The jugglar arose, put his cups into
his pocket, his table under his arm
I'VE zee 'ly aud disappeared.
lASenhin.a ircllrDl II he SnnGr.t