The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-09-21

whose duty it is to decide whether or
not 1 am qualified, this gentleman re-
fused to examine me, because I had
been taught by my father only. What
matters that (said = provided I possess
the requisite knowledge? But he was
infexible and nothing could induce
him to ask me single question,
"But," said Duroc, in his usual
mild and polite manner, F'what can
the First Consul do in such case?
If that be the rule, it must be observed
by every candidate !; and what can you,
therefore, require of him?"
"That he examine me himself" re-
piled the young man, with most ex-
pressive naivete.
The three friends smiled at each
other.
Duroc and Junot thought with
Lacuee that the presence of this young
man wonld be pleasing to the First
Consul; and Duroc went to him and
stated the circumstance. Napoleon,
with the luminous and sweet smile SO
peculiar to him when he was pleased,
said -
$50 he wants me to examine him,
does he? What could have suggested
such an idea to him? 1t is q strange
one! !" And he rubbed his chin.
Glow old is he?" resumed the First
Consul, after walking about some time
in gracious silence.
81 do not know, General, but he
appears about seventeen or eighteen.
"Let him come in"
Duroc introduced the youth, the
expression of whose face was admir-
able. The fulness of his JOY was WV
idly and beautifully portrayed in it.
His look darted upon the First Con-
sul-his whole existence seemed to
hang upon the first word Napoleon
should utter.
"Well, my young man." said he, ad-
vancing with gracious smile towards
the young enthusiast; "you wish to
be examined by me?"
The poor lad was so overcome with
Joy that he could not answer. Napo-
leon liked neither insolence nor pusil-
Luminous timidity but he perceived
that the youth before him was silent
only because the spirit spoke too loud
within him.
"Take time to recover yourself, my
child you are not calm enough to
answer me at this moment I will at
tend for while to some other bust
ness, and then we will return to
yours.
"Dost thou see that young man?"
said the First Consul to Junot, taking
him into a recess of q window. eff
we had thousand like him the con-
quest of the world would be but
promenade
And he turned his head to look at
the young man, who, absorbed In
meditation, was probably preparing
his answers to the questions which he
supposed would be asked of him.
In about all hour Napoleon began
the examination, with the result OF
which he was completely satisfied.
The youth at once gained admit
tance to the Polytechnic School, there
to prepare for his commission IN the
Grande ArDaee.
Time flies, and flying brings with 1t
remarkable and unexpected changes IN
the world.
Years after, beaten army was re-
treating from Moscow-not beaten,
indeed, by hostile forces, but by still
more hostile and unconquerable foes,
the elements.
The snow lies thick on the ground;
the air is dark, heavy, and laden with
it. The once great force consists but
of few thousand men.
Hundreds of miles between this and
Moscow lie the remnants OF the great
invading army. Their path of retreat
is numbered with dead horses and fallen
men; with cannon, muskets, ammunl-
ton, swords, bayonets, and all the
paraphernalia of war.
The latter are all useless now. FOOD
and warmth are what the feeble rem
nant of the great army need. Ihese
they cannot obtain. They are still
hundreds of miles from relief or sue
cor. 80,
Around the retreating, but still
l.oro onJ Gallant ramnant the Cos