Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-01-12


self quite as much surprised ct the ar
rest of Boiste as Boiste could have
been to be arrested. True, there was
his signature to the order; but then,
as often happened, he had probably
signed the paper when it was laid be-
fore him without reading it. He could
give no explanation, and now in
his turn he summoned the pre-
feet The project had no expl~
nation to give, really knew moth
ing of the business, and he sent
for his deputy. The deputy, after
search OF some days, did contrive to
rummage up the original of the fata!
document. He FASTENED with it to
the Tuileries, and then it was dis.
covered that it had been drawn up
upon the denunciation of the censor,
who had actually accused Boiste OF
having characterized Bonaparte as a
Spolidteur. The document afforded nc
information as to how, when, or where
the offense was committed. The cen.
sOr was Immediately ordered to put in
an appearance; but he happened to bf
three hundred miles of, engaged in his
periodical tour of inspection and super.
vision of the provincial press.
LET the prisoner himself be OK.
amined, said Napoleon. at must be
a blunder Of some ones; for, not to
mention that Boiste is incapable Of
such an act, it really would not be
common sense to insert calumnies in 8
dictionary"
Next morning Boiste was permitted
to emerge from his prison, and was
driven off to the Duke of Ohanto's
office, whore he found M. Fontanes
also awaiting him. sy F'.
Sir" said the Duke, "you are &C
cused Of libeling tho august sovereign
who rules over this mighty empire"
4sHe accused of libel! /, my lordl
Surely you can not be seriousP A libel
comes from Hbellus, a little book
never made one in my life, sir Ask
that gentleman, sir, the principal Of
our University; he will tell you that
6now too well the Specification and the
power OF words, to-
"But, nevertheless said NJ. Fon.
tanes, showing him tho accusation, but
hiding the signature with his finger,
'read this"
Boiste read it through as desired.
"Weil-?" cried 0tranto, seeing the
tranquil face quite unmoved.
sis that all ?" demanded Boiste.
"AHm said the Duke. Quite
enough, l should think. hope, fol
your sake, it is a mistake"
mo mistake at all 1t is the truth. y
"The truth p
"Most certainly. I Inserted it to dc
honor to the Emperor"
ITO do the Emperor honor ~
"Yes. To prove that he is as thor
ough linguist as he is a warrior"
Sir" said Fouche, impatiently, 1--WE
have no time for jesting, assure you
should not dream of taking such ,
liberty with your Excellency."
Then be so good as to afford III
some explanation.
Certainly; there is nothing nor
easy" Then taking copy of his new
Dictionary, which lay on the table, h,
opened it, found the word SpoiiateHr
and pointed to the two words as they
stood thust "Spolidteur, Buondparte.
"And what" exclaimed the indig
nant functionary, "could have tempted
you to such foul libel as thatP"
'Libel! l only gave His Ma1est!
the honor that was due TO him.
print his name after the word Spoil
atear, as the authority for It's use.
was he who first made use OF the word
he did so in the tribune, when he wa
General Bonaparte; he coined tn
word in the first instance, and it wa
never known in the French Language
until he gave it currency"
The Duke looked at M. Fontancs
and M. Fontanos looked at the Duke
and both smiled in rather subdue
way at this simplest of all possibl
explanations. Boiste was immediatel
= restored to liberty; but his arr
less attempt to do credit to the En-
= peror put him 10 no ineonsiderabl
expense, as he was compelled to car
3 col the sheet that contained this yer
5 doubtful and certainly undesired homo
: to Napoleon and print it anew for tn
7 entire edition. And indeed, consider
ing the temper of the times, Boist
+, thought himself fortunate to get off s
: cheaply, especially as there were nc
wanting among his detractors thos
who did not scruple to insinuate ths
his professed tribute to the Emperor
= genius as linguist was designed fc
any thing but a compliment Chan
5 bcrS' Journal.