The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-08-30

tnc Il lrHb tOnhul up III NUcn 'WSt1
If that be the rule, IL must be observed
by every candidate and what can you,
therefore, require of him?"
"rhat he examine me himself" re-
piled the young man, with II most ex-
pressive nnivetc.
The three friends smiled at each
other.
Duroc md Junot thought with
Lacnce that the presence of this young
man wonld be pleasing TO the First
Consul; and Duroc went to him aud
stated the circumstance. Napoleon,
with the luminous and sweet smile SO
peculiar to him when he was pleased,
snid:-
$50 he wants me to examine him,
does he? What could have suggested
such an iden to him? 1t is strange
oncl" And he rubbed his chin.
GLOW old is hep" resumed the First
Consul, after walking about some time
in gracious silence.
81 do not know, General, but he
appears about seventeen or eighteen
"Lct him come in"
Duroc introduced the youth, the
expression of whose face wns ndmir-
able. The fulness of his joy was viv-
idly and beautifully portrayed in it,
His look darted upou the First Con
sul-his whole existence seemed to
hang upon the first word Napoleon
should utter.
"Wcll, my young man." said he, all
vnncing with gracious smile towards
the young cnthusiast; "you wish TO
be cNomined 10y mc?'
The poor lad was 20 overcome with
Joy that he could not answer. Napo-
leon liked neither in7olcnca nor pusil-
luminous timidity; but he perceived
thnt The youth before him was silent
only because The spirit spoke too loud
within him.
"ralc time To recover yourself, my
child; you are not calm enough to
answer me nt this moment. I will Mt
tend for while to some other busi-
ness, mud then we will return TO
you're.
"Doat thou sce that Young mcN?"
said the First Consul TO Junot, tai-,ng
him into n rcccss of n window. 'Tf
we had thousand like him the CON
quest of the world would be but II
promenade
And he turned his head to look Mt
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 an hour Napoleon began
the examination, with the result Of
which hc was completely satisfied.
The youth at once gained admit
tance to the Polytechnic School, there
to prepare for his commission in the
GrdRdc Ay7Rcc.
Time flies, and flying brings with it
remarkable and unexpected changes in
the world.
Years after, II beaten army was re-
trenting from Moscow-not beaten,
indeed, by hostile forces, but by still
more hostile I'D unconqucrable foes,
the elements.
The snow lies thick on the ground ;
the mir is dark, heavy, and laden with
it, The once great force consists but
OF few thou9andmen.
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. ammuni.
ton, swords, bayonets, and all the
pnraphe,nalia of war.
The latter are all useless now. Food
and warmth are what the feeble rem
nant of the great army need. These
they cannot obtain. They are still
hundreds of miles from relief OF sue
cor.
Around the retreating, but still
brave and gallant remnant, the Cos
sack Lnncers hover in the distance
like birds of prey, waiting for the mo-
ment to swoop down upon them. Sc
they have been lowering over all tn,
weary line of retreat from Moscow, a
thousands of slain men whose corpses
are now underneath the snow, coult
testify if they could tell the tale.