The Portland daily press., 1890-01-22
THE PRESS.
WEDNESDAY MORNING. JAN. 90.
NAPOLEON HEsiTATEp.
he was on the Point Of Proposing
but the Lady gave Him no Chance.


Corsican, and conceived the highest
opinion of his abilities and of the powers
which, events proved, he possessed in so
remarkable degree. But in the opinion
of Barras, Napoleon's want of means
was a most serious obstacle to his chance
OF achieving fame, and he proposes to
remedy this by selecting for him rich
wife. Now, whether it was that he did
not number among his acquaintance
many women with the requisite dot, or
whether he thought that his portege's
fiery youth would be better for the re-
straining influence which a wife of some
experience in the ways of the world
would no doubt be able to exert, Barras
chose for this position woman who,
though still undeniably handsome, was
no longer young.
Though she was called Mile. Montan.
sier, she was in reality widow, who,
because she had been on the stage, had
never adopted the name of her husband.
She was 90 years of age, but it was said
that she made herself appear to be not
more than 40 by the intimate knowl-
edge that she possessed Of the secrets of
the toilet table.
DIPLOMACY OF BARRAS.
Barras made up his mind that it was
imperative to the success of Napoleon s
career that he should make this elderly
lady his wife, and accordingly he set
himself to work to bring about the
match by impressing upon each of them
the advantages that would result from
it, To Napoleon he dilated upon the
power that would follow the acquisition
Of the wealth which Mile. Montansier
could give him; to the lady he enlarged
on the position that his talented young
friend was bound to make for himself,
and that would of course, be shared by
his wife.
For the purpose of introducing the
couple to each other, he decided
upon giving supper, to which they
were both invited He SO arranged
matters that they were placed together
at the table, and hoped that this precau-
ton, added to the njunctions which he
had given to Napoleon to behave for
once in his life with some show of civil.
ity to lady, would have the happiest re-
suit. But in this he was fated to be dis
appointed. Napoleon was quite the last
man to rely upon in such respect. His
manners toward the fair sex were those
Of costermonger, and though he could
generally hold his own in a conversation
with men, he was entirely without the
knack Of making himself interesting or
agreeable to women. He felt that his
place was in the camp or the field, and
he was quite out of his element among
the conventionalities of salon.
Had he been inclined to WOO, it would
have been in a straightforward, soldier
like fashion, not with the dallyings and
compliments so dear TO the French woman
of his time. So, presently, Barras had
the modification of seeing Mile. Montan.
sier, her back turned to Napoleon, en-.
gaging in a lively conversation with the
gentleman'on the other side, while the
future conqueror was making, with little
pellets of bread, a plan of battle on the
table before him. Hardly word passed
between the two during the remainder
of the meal. Barras watched with grow
ing annoyance the indifference of Ma.
poleon, and felt his plans melting into
thin air as he saw the evident delight
with which the widow turned from hin
to the more entertaining companion she
had found elsewhere.
Supper over, Barras drew Napoleor
aside and spoke forcibly to him of th,
foolish way in which he was throwing
away his chances. "You know" sale
he, that money is everything to you
here are 100000 francs, and you viii
not stretch out your hand to take them
most attractive woman, and you viii
not show her the smallest gallantry.
Mile. Montansier has come here this
evening prepared to hear a declaration
from you. Strike while the iron is hot,
and win the wealth that you cannot do
without at one bold stroke"
"The woman is old enough to be my
grandmother" said Napoleon, who was
then % years old; "but that is no mat
ter; for to me all women are alike.
Money is what want; and, if cannot
get it without wife, must take the
two together. / am no coiner of pretty
speeches, but before the evening is oveI
l will say to herr 'Mademoiselle, are
you willing TO accept me as your nus
bandr More than that cannot do"
THE very kind of proposal that an,
woman would expect from blunt sol
der" replied Barras. Say that, and
desire no more. You are to be envied
for, besides her wealth, mademoiselle i
very handsome STILL"
THE FoREsTALLED PROPOSAL.
Napoleon turned away with gesture
of Impotence; but half an hour late
Barras noticed, to mis- joy, that the TIVE
were alone together in recess. Presently
Napoleon got up and went away, ano
the lady beckoned to Barras with he
fan. "Take away that dreadful littl'
man." she said with shudder; she ha
bored me to death, and only prevented
him from proposing by sending him fo
glass of lemonade"
''But why prevent hims' said Barras
He will be great man yet"
Give myself and my money to such
little horror, such an ill-mannered boo
as THAR replied mademoiselle. Never
would sooner take the first beggar mar
cut of the streets. What have | don
that should he given such a wretche'
evening? Don't let YOU" -
But at this moment she was checked
by the arrival of Napoleon with tn
lemonade. Barras hurried away, still
hoping for the best; but soon he saw a
the other end of the room Bonapart,
ss'Gi:n.: In thN attitude in which he hal
so often been depicted, with his arm,
folded and his chin sunk upon them.
'Well, are you TO be marriedY' he said
Fastening towards his protege.
THAT old actress, said Napoleon. "tha
female Cr9sus refused me before haC
opened my mouth to ask her hand. Iva
on the point OF speaking, as told you
should speak, when she began to inform
me that her wealth was the Gauss of he
constantly receiving offers from, adven
turers who ca. ed nothing for herself: tina
she thanked Providence she had so ia
seen through some fellows, and that sh
was resolved to keep her independence
Twas glad had not spoken, for it CAV
me the opportunity of saying: Made
moiselle, pray persevere in that praise
worthy intention; it is one which | an
sure no one viii ever try to persuade yo
to alter Let her keep her millions t
bait the hook for some one else; hav
done with her"
And in spite of Barras' endeavors tn