The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-17
MARSHAL MASSEN.

were long, the Weather clustering, the ia
tigue almost uIGearable. But every lei
sure moment wis given up to gam bling.
One night, when the army camped at
Iuhl, small hamlet on a river Napo-
leon donned Is greatcoat, and taking
his cane proceeded to tour the camp. He
passed n tent herein a light was burning,
sut from which no voices proceeded. 1t
WINS an officers tent. The emperor halted
and listened. lie heard the rattle Of gold.
Without warming he entered.
"C'est lempeteurl'
-Four players jumped to their feet, cast
off their hats and scrambled to hide their
stakes, which lay upon n chest.
"IIold Give mei'
The money, amounting to goodly sum,
was poured into the emperor's hand He
glanced from face to face. One Of the
players was his trusted aid, the nearest to
his imperial person.
"Massen, he said, with great gravity,
81 am astounded. None knows better than
you my hatred for this business, and yet
find you engaged in it."
The handsome young officer stood, hat
in hand, bowed in shame.
"1our sword sirl' demanded the EN-
peror.
Napoleon picked up the sword and re-
tired to his headquarters, where he sat be-
fore the fire long time meditating. The
emperor loved Nassen. For five years he
had been attached to his body, retained
because of his Nnfailing devotion to the
fortunes of his imperial master His un-
selfish sacrifices were numerous, his cour-
age wonderful. Napoleon felt keenly my
shock 10 his confidence. True, tho young
man had not bten guilty of any treach-
cry but he had done that which he knew
his siru disapproved of, and an example
must be made.
Within an hour the entire army knew
the emreror's fatorite aid was in disgrace
and for gamblink k
For several days Napoleon expected Mas
sen TO seek pardon, but the brave fellow
was In the ranks bearing gun, ready to
light on foot for his beloved ruler and ap-
parcntly unmindful of his loss of rank.
The gambling ceased. That being abol-
fshed, Napoleon was in mood to be mag
unanimous. He sent for Masscn.
Sire, said the returning messenger
"Massen is ill from exposure and unable
to move. He is dying of fever"
"Conduct me to him ~ exclaimed the
emperor.
The dark, olive face wore fixed look
of anxiety as the emperor walked between
lines of saluting troops until he reached
the tent wherein Massen lay dying. He
Ahflb ny lHt DtISltlt OF his I0NOrlte ana
taking his burning hand said:
"Massen, do ybu know mef'
But the dcirious brain knew not The
wandering eyes saw not Napoleon laid
his hand gently on the fired brow and
tears sprang into his eyes as the mum
bling tongue repeated:
"lt is the cnlperorl Put them away
Put them away!''
"Sce, Nlassen, have brought you back
your sword "
"My sword! II is the emperor'
Aud he fell back dead. ........
A little cottage on the outskirts of Paris
held weepingwo Her form was
bent; her hair wis as white as the Alpine
SHOWS. She was mourning for her dead
boy-Massen.
The campaign of the north had ended,
and despite its absorbing events the em-
peror never forgpt he had duty TO per-
form when Paris should be reached
Some noighburs came i'll to console the
afflicted mother
He was forgiven, good Mother Mnssen;
he was forgiven. Did not our sire sit by
his bedside aid give him pprdon aud re-
store to him his sword2 His otfcuse was
not serious, or the emperor would never
have sought him Remember, he did not
die in disgrace, good mother. He was re-
stored TO favor y
"Nny. nayl" mutternd tbe cruabad
mother. "lle di4oheyed. lie was not the
noble. true NIas. ZEN tYiobt lin, IN bc
llo had been diseraced, and he died with
out knowing he lvns pnrdoned.
Her grief was pitiable.
The svmn.tiizing friends danarted
There came n knock MT the door. The old
lady opened il.
GC'est remppre1r,,, she crind fn1Iinp
on her knees and rntrhinv Mt tho old prav
cont. pressfng il ln her Linz
'Risc. Mother NIassen - said Nano1con
in his kindest tome. 81 hnye como 70 cheer
Won, We mourn together FORGET am
your sovereign. Believe me your friend
Your braye nnbIa ho,, IL oono ,,
UHIpsl vou sii.. fo,.t those ,vordst Rrove,
Noble, Oh If le could onlv have boord
hrJstn sb,,,i. ,,.tti, ,.,,z
uYes bo yyae ,h,, trie1 md trnsto5 Ind
loved him. RI INV anger disyrocad
him. Weeks I wi hitei far him tn sod, mi,
He would not come so,,gbt bin uo
was diving tobk hi4 sword to bia he'd.
side that might restora him "a bis rank
Mailing seemed natural to me ,vitbout
Mgs.su Rut bp ,liad
FOR some moments he emperor sot Look.
ing pt the floor 6aidin6 tbc hand of ,bs
weeping mother.
"Mother NIassen. | hnye tnkcn tbot
from ynu which cannot restore. France
cannot rrnay yoll for your loss lie should
have worn this Ind In. lived -
The emperor ,reW, from bis nocLet "a