Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-11-16
grass or wme with him I felt decidedly

After leaving the prison we went to Lacluse's quarters, where l was pro- vided with a comfortable bedroom next his own. In the evening we supped at a restaurant in the Palais Royal, and then betoox ourselves to the Rue de Ia Victeire, in fulfllment of my promise to Mime. Bonaparte, and in the hope that might have an opportunity of speaking to the general about De Gex. Two or three carriages were at the door, and in the salon we found several officers in | uniform, among whom Lacluse pointed out Lannes, Murat, Berthier and Kle- Der. Bonaparte wore his generals uni form, which, as thought, became him | much better than that of the Institute. Though physically the smallest man in the room. he had beyond all compare the most powerful face. In looking a: him one quite forgotnthat he was little; and the group of generals to whom he was speaking with characteristic energy | listened to him with marked defer ence.
 Mime. Bonaparte beczoned me to her. ''I am glad you are corne," she said 'You have seen this poor NJ. De GeX?" "Yes, madame"
 "And left him happy, suppose?" "As happy as man can be who ex- ! poets to die."
 "You surely don't mean"
 "He thanks you warmly for your kindness, madame, and though he would | gladly serve under your glorious hus- band, regrets deeply that his principles will not permit him to accept commis ! sion from the directory; though he ' of rafnSa1 ! likely to cost him his life." Mime. Bonaparte appeared to be much | hurt.
 ''This comes of trying to serve peo ! ple," she said, bitterly. Ut is nothing
 less than an insult. These royalists art
 too stupid for anything. Bonapartt | will be very angry"
 As she spoke he came up to us, smil ing, and with the air of man who ha: something pleasant to impart. ! ''It is all arranged" he said. ''Th'
 commission of Capt. de Gex will b'
 signed in the morning, and on Thurs
 day he must be en route for Italy.
 have given the necessary orders. hop you are satisfied with what have don'
 for your friend, M. Roy?"
 | How should tell him? looked a
 Mime. Bonaparte. but instead of help
 ing me out she murmured something
 about wanting to speak to Murat, ant
 left me in the lurch.
 ''I am very sorry, general" began
 "but De Gex-"
 Enough! I know what you arc go
 ing to say," interrupted the general
 stcrnly. ''He refuses to serve.'
 "His principles-'
 ! "PrincipleSl Don't talk to me of tn
 principles of man who lived at hi
 ease in London while his country wa
 engaged in a struggle for existenc
 with the coalesced kings of Europe.
 understand him perfectly. He is one 0
 those men who believe that it were bet
 ter for France to perish than not b
 ruled by a Bourbon"
 'I do not presume to argue the poin
 with you, general. De Gex knows bes
 what comports with his own honol
 And he has no illusions; he is quit
 aware that in refusing your offer-fo
 which he desired me to tender you hi
 warmest tlIanks-he pronounced hi
 own doom. He asks only one favor
 that his sentence may take place witt
 out further delay, and that he may b
 executed as soldier"
 |
 done with him. You can ask Barras,
 you like. He is here. Shall I intro ! duce you to him?"
 Without waiting for my nnswe
 Bonaparte turned to tall parsonage c
 commanding presence, with a naughty
 dissolute face, to whom he talked carr
 estly for few minutes; then he becl oned to me, and, after formally intro
 ducing us, rejoined his generals.
 "So your friend De Gex is too higl
 minded to serve in the armies of tn ) French republic" said Barras, with sheer. "He is also in a hurry and want
 to be shot. He really does not deserv any such indulgence; but, to oblige yol sir, I will try to meet his views. Gc | will be shot at ten o'clock to-morro' ! morning, within the precincts of tn | prison. And you may tell him from m
 that had he been little more patier and not asked you to intercede for hi1
 his sentence would probably have bee
 commuted to short term of imprisor } ment or few years banishment. w are beginning to make distinction bt \ tween emigrants who have tough . against France and those who have not Citizen Gex belongs to the latter catt } | gory, and would have been the first } profit by the new regulation. Yo know now why his execution was d. t layed." ] "But surely, citizen director, you wi
 not punish him for another's fault2 ] alone am to blame. It was I who al 7 pealed to Gen. Bonaparte." ''He will not be punished for another l fault. He has refused to serve; and tE - man who will not fight for his count1 yI @3SMW