Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-09
NAPOLEON'S FLOWER.
WHY THE VIOLET CAME TO BE HIS
 EMBLEM OF GOOD FORTUNE.

Inslr winter sleep the HowefS, Jne iONell- rst of her children. After such storm as history seldom records the last waves of the revolution are sullenly beating upon the land of the Burgundy rose and Bour- bon lily. By quick combination of the old royalists and Jacobins the new conven- tion of Paris, though preferred by the peo- pie, is likely to be beaten by the mob. The e6 wards of the city on the Seine are ablaze with passion. The women who dipped their handk erchiefs in the blood that spurt- ed under the knife of the guillotine when the last of the unbroken line of the Louises died in the Place of Peace are full of say agery of the ancient days, and nothing but the red stream flowing anew can quench :heir mad thirst. The convention is in ses- sion. It is awed by the old royalist armies and the newer national guards.
 One commander after another has gone over either in person or spirit to the enc mics of peace Barras, who leads the con yenton, is alert and ready, full of the fer tility of expedients that characterizes the Latin race but he can see no hope. The republic is lost, and mighty France, whose traditions of honor and glory for thou sand years have had one unbroken line in history, is to lose her place among the na- tions at last, for who shall be her deliverer from the awful cruelty of her own unnat- ural children?
 
 growing longer when Barras, the peoples champion, left the heated hall of the con vention for little rest and thought, and his steps led him to the salon of woman famous in those days for she was beauti- ful, we'll born and patriotic, whom he ten derly loved. She was alone, and together they spoke of the nations danger, of the fear which filled each heart that the life of the republic might soon run out in stream of blood.
 There is no longer n leader among us, chere amie," said the great statesman aud orator whose fervor and passion had so touched the peoples hearts. "The end has come"
 Never despair, Perhaps the good God may help us,'' softly replied the gracious woman who was so dear to him-a woman to fill the ideal of such Il man as her lover was; woman brave with sweet heroism, tender and true.
 "Bahl that good Godl He is long in cDming," said Barras. He had learned his theology from the great orator of the mountain, who died saying, sprinkle me with perfumes and crown me with flowers, for death is but an eternal sleep"
 Nay, believe it not, mon ami" she soft ly whispered, help will come.''
 And you say you have no leader?' she spoke after q long silence in musing way. thinking aloud. Who are your com manders, then? Where is that droll little man you presented to me at Mme de Stael's the other evening? He seemed to have brains and courage, too. that little Corsican."
 'Pardie," said Barras, springing into new life. Belle annie, you have given me thought that may yet save France'
 They talked very seriously for few min utes, and he returned to the convention full of new hope. But before he left the salon he had written d little note addressed to The general of the brigade Napoleon Buonapartc" (who spelled his name thus until after his coronation as emperor), pray ing his immediate presence at the conven- tion, and a trlIsty servant was charged to deliver it personally into M. Buonaparte's hands and not to fail
 Fl have sent for you, M. Buonaparte," said Barras an hour later to the small, palo faced man with whom he was earnestly talking, "hecause you are our last hope, and l will now present you to the conven- Eon.''
 Can you restore peace and order:" said the president to the young man before him. The members looked curiously on and lis tened.
 So France has come to this,' whispered one graybcard to his neighbor, that her life and fate lie in the hands of youth of 25' (who looked even less than his age), "only feet inches in stature, with hair combed low on his brow like a woman's. Farceur var
 Il am perfectly aware of the difficulties in the path, but am accustomed to sue ceed," said the young man, speaking with a strong Italian, or rather COrsican, accent. But one thiug 1 must insist upon. It is that l am not to be embarrassed by orders. l must have supreme command. That is all"
 And, lowing low to the peoples repre- sentative, the little, pale man, but feet , in stature, with gray brown eyes and banged hair, left the hall, and the conven- tion with closed doors proceeded to con sider his proposition.
 As Buonuparte left the hall Barrls fol lowed him for q last word. Go to your -ooms and remain there," said the politi- rian ill quick speech to tho young officer, and will send you the result as soon as possible"
 "It must hrall or nothing" answered the other
 Just then flower girl came up to them with her basket full of fragrant Violets, and Barras bought u bouquet for the woman he loved The little mans eyes softened
 They always remind me somehow of home" he murmured apologetically as he gave the seller sou and took n tiny bou quet. A thought struck Barras.
 ''Go 10 the salon of Mime. -" said he and remain there until 10 If succeed for you, she will send you violet"
 The young officer went as he was told. IL was early, hours before the time of recep tion, but he was admitted The salon was empty, Alone the young Corsican paced the spacious rnom. It was [, then half past then & At last the clock in the hall began tostrike of g. As its chimes ceased a serv- ant entered the room with billet.
 I,.. -" said the man as he withdrew.
 Rather listlessly BuOnaparte opened it, and, To! it contained only-a violet!
 How the young man crushed out the mob in awful slaughter with cannon volleys; how 10 years thereafter, having changed the map of Europe, when he assumed the i'm perial purple, his corOnal robe was embroid- cred in violetS, and how II years later the sun of Austerlitz went down forever in the clouds of battle smoke that hung heavy over the plain of WaterlOO-all this is his tory! But from the hour of his first glory until the last the violet as the flower the mighty COrsican loved best of all. It had told him first of his coming renown; it WAS the only flower that ever bloomed at St Helena over his lonely grave. - Chicago Post
 Where the Boston Hotels Silver Goes.
 1Ho Aau oi CoIeCLhS spoons TOT sou venirs has ramifcations little dreamed of by those who toy curiously with the quaint little products of the silversmith's art as they sip out of dainty porcelain the fragrant brew from my lady's tea ball.
 Harvard boys are faddist as well as their sisters and sweethearts, but they do not seek the uttermost ends of the earth for their treasures. The famous and hospitable hostelries of the neighboring