The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-07-19

.SE
The boz ards full of jc,ccls.
In . small private room in the palace Of
the Tuilleries, in Paris, two men were sit
| ting. One, q young gentleman about Ave
and twenty years OF age, occupied desk
near the window that looked out upon q
broad, inclosed court, where q sentinel,
in blue coat and red pegtop trousers. was
| pacing his beat. There was quantity of
papers on the desk, and the young gentle
1 man was writing summary of the con-
| tents of these on the backs OF them and
| filing them away. A light snow was fall
ing outside and melting as it fell, for the
winter of 1869 was still lingering in the
| first months of 1870.
The other parsonage in the room was a
man of mature years. He was barely Of
middle height, but his figure was compact
and his shoulders broad and thick. His
fac g, somewhat ffeshy about the jaws, and
of a dull complexion, mad an aQuiline nose,
a carefully waxed moustache az pointed
imperial. The eyes were wide apart snd
the heavy lids dropping over them gave
them a somnolent aspect; yet, examining
them more intentively, you would perceive
that they were eyes that nothing escaped
watchful, penetrating, impenetrable eyes.
For the rest this countenance bore the
marks OF anxiety and i'll health; there were
| utdNy llucS Dcucdln tuc eyes, luo 4OEcucdQ
was furrowed and the hair was thin on its
conical summit. Withal both face and fig
ure had a certain dignity and power as to
one accustomed to being unQuestionably
| obeyed. The man wore black broadcloth
| coat, white waistcoat and gray trousers.
Diagonally across his breast lay a broad.
blue sash. He was leaning back in his
chair smoking cigarette. and seemingly
| plunged in meditation.
A knock came at the door. The younger
man rose. walked to the door and opened
it. After q brief colloquy he turned and
said in French "Sire, there is person
here who desires an audience. He says
"What name, Raoulr' interrupted the
other.
.sSolange, sire"
every good. He comes by appointment.
Let him enter. And you, my dear Raoul,
will take your place behind the thin parti-
ton during the interview. / hope 70 be
able to trust this man, but it will be neces-
sary to take precaution."
The young man bowed, at the same time
throwing open the door to admit the visitor,
and himself passing out and closing it be-
hind him. The newcomer on entering made
military salute, and then stood, cap In
hand, with his eyes fixed on the inscrutable
visage before him. He was near fifty
years Of age, OF vigorous physique, with
thick, muscular neck, black hair cropped
oAoA ASosy oAoSA Sy SSAO"o oI0 a AC&SC
mustache. He was plainly clad, but
though his dress was that of q civilian he
had the bearing of a soldier.
Captain Maurice Solange," said the
gentleman with the cigarette, "you and I
became acquainted some years since at the
| battle OF SoIferino. You were then q pri-
vate in the Twenty-third regiment. I had
lost my aid e-camp. and intrusted you
with dispatch to General Tontaine, on
our left wing. On your way to him you
were wounded in the breast with Q rifle
ball. You delivered the dispatch, how
eyer, and returned with his answer. In
handing it to me you fell from loss Of
blood. Ihad you taken to my tent and
placed in charge of my best surgeons.
On your recovery you were promoted to
be corporal"
Captain Solange bowed low. "You re-
member it, sire!"
"Oh, very well. l also remember that
on several subsequent occasions commit
ted to you the execution OF orders inyoly-
ing danger and demanding prudence,
faithfulness and courage. For your sue
cessful performance of these duties you
were promoted to be sergeant and finally
captain. From year to year / have not
lost sight OF you. My uncle and myself
have found no better servants than among
those who have sprung, like you, from the
ranks L now desire you to afford me a
reason for bestowing on you the cross of
the Legion Of Honor. Would you care to
possess it!'
'-My emperor, my one happiness is to
serve you. My one grief, that l cannot
serve you enough
'.Ah. pretty compliment In return 1
have compliment for you. In France are
30, 100000 Frenchmen. OF these so, 000, 900
/ have chosen one man whom, for a certain
important duty, can trust most implicitly
VINO Is that man, Captain Solangei"
The captain stood erect and expanded his
chest. Sire, that man is myself"
The emperor twisted his mustache to
conceal faint smile. The bluff soldier in
his artless vanity, had no notion of CRITICS
ing the parvenu character of an empire
which was compelled to intrust some Of its
most vital secrets to its humbest subjects
But as the world now knows France early
in 1870 was dancing on q volcano" De
Morney, the astute statesman, to whom q
mission OF confidence might have been in
trusted, was dead; some say he was the
half brother Of Napoleon. Prince Bona
parte had just shot Victor Noir. The
growing prominence of Gambetta, the
lampoons of Rochefort, indicated
the rise OF liberalism. Napoleon
saw his danger; he was i'll
in body, but his brain was busy
with intrigues. a plebiscite was in con-
temptation to iuggle Frenchmen and for
eign nations into the belief that the en-
pire was secure. He perceived that war
was inevitable, and ne was feeling his way
70 an alliance with Austria. A successful
war might retrieve everything; bat mean
while the edifice that he talked of "crown-,
ing'' was crumbling. He feared the mob
Of Paris, and the gamblers instincts in him
led him on.
= "You are perhaps aware" said the
Emperor, "that in a few months France
may be drawn into q great war-one o.
the most important in its issues of our
geueration!"
with Prussia, sires All! an, l have
prayed for It, And you permit me to''-
O"My brave SolaDge," interrupted the
other, shaking his head with q smile. IT
know that man like you likes nothing so
well as to risk his life on the battle field.
But it is not this that / now ask of you.
When war breaks out you will be on the
otner side OF the ocean-three thousand
miles away"
The soldiers enthusiastic look faded. He
shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly.
There are other paths TO glory" contin-
ued Napoleon kindly. Come nearer You
are soldier and you know that the for
tune OF war is uncertain. France-who
can tell-may fail to accomplish
impossible, sire." exclaimed tbs other,
boldly. France will conquer She must.'
Let US hope So II our army were COM
posed entirely of men like you, there would
indeed be no question Of it. But some of
our most dangerous enemies are not among
those who will con front US on the field.n
III you know OF any such, my emperor
arrest them and order them to be shot. Ma
foi. There 10 powder and bali enough for
traitors, At all ievents." 49,
That may come afterward, mon ami
For the moment, it IL expedient to appear
n ind IN al - =