Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-03-15
MARSHAL MASSEN,

dnlonk ebltltfS. Hc Cali
paign Of the north opened. The marches
were long, the weather clustering, the IA
| tigue almost unbearable. But every lei
sure moment was given up to gambling.
One night, when the army camped at
Luhl. a small hamlet on river. Napo-
leon donned his greatcoat, and taking
bis cane proceeded TO tour the camp. lie
passed tent wherein light was burning,
but from which no voices proceeded. IL
was an officer'stent. The emperor halted
and listened. He heard the rattle of gold.
Without warning be entered.
"C'est l'empereurv'
Four players jumped 10 their feet. cast
off their bats and scrambled TO hide their
stakes, which lay upon a chest.
"Holdl Give mep'
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 10
his imperial person.
"Massen," -" he said, with great gravity,
sI am astounded. None knows better than
you my hatred for this business, and yet
| find you engaged in IL"
The handsome young officer stood, hat
In hand, bowed in shame.
"Your sword, sirl" demanded the en-
peror
Napoleon picked up the sword and re-
tired to his headquarters, where he sat be
fore the fire n long time meditating. The
emperor loved Massen. For five years he
had been attached 10 bis body. retained
because Of his unfailing devotion TO the
fortunes Of his imperial master. His un-
selfish sacrifices were numerous, his cour-
age wonderful. Napoleon felt keenly any
shock 10 his confidence. True, the young
man had not been guilty Of any treach-
cry, but he had done that which he knew
his sire disavproved OF, and an example
must be made.
Within an hour the entire army knew
the emperor's favorite aid was In disgrace
and for gamoling.
For several days Napoleon expected Mas
sen to seek pardon, but the brave fellow
was In the ranks, bearing gun, ready to
fight on foot for his beloved ruler and ap-
parently unmindful of his loss Of rank.
The gambling ceased. That being abol-
ished, Napoleon was In mood TO be mag
unanimous. He sent for Massen.
''Sire, said the returning messenger,
"Massen is i'll 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
knelt by the bedside Of his favorite and
taking his burning hand said:
"Massen, do you know mef"
But the delirious brain knew not. The
wandering eyes saw not. Napoleon laid
bis hand gently on the fred brow, and
lus. III Al
bling tongue repeated:
alt is the emperorl Put them away!
Put them awayl'
"See, Massen, have brought you back
your sword"
"My sword 1t is the emperorr'
And he fell back dead.
A little cottage on the outskirts Of Paris
held weeping woman. Her form was
bent; her hair was AS white as the Alpine
SHOWS She was mourning for her dead
boy-Massen.
The campaign of the north had ended,
and despite It's absorbing events the en-
peror never forgot he had duty to per
form when Paris should be reached.
Some neighbors came In to console the
afflicted mother.
ale was forgiven, good Mother Massen;
he was forgiven. Did not our sire sit by
his bedside and give him pardon and re-
store to him his swordi His offense 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"
"Nay, nayl" muttered the crushed
mother. "He disobeyed. He was not the
noble, true Massen l taught him to be.
He had been disgrsced, and he died with
out knowing he was pardoned."
Her grief was pitiable.
The sympathizing friends departed.
There came knock at the door. The old
lady opened II.
"C'est rempereurr' she cried, falling
on her knees and catching at the old gray
coat, pressing 1t TO her lips.
Rise, Mother Massen," said Napoleon
In his kindest tone. ~ have come to cheer
you. We mourn together. Forget l AN
your sovereign. Believe me your friend.
Your brave, noble boy is gone"
BLESS you, sire, for those wordsl Bravel
Nobel Oh, II he could only have heard
you say that"
And she shook with sobs.
eyes, he was my tried and trusted lad.
/ loved him. In my anger j disYaced
nlIl. NtthN Il ulDl w reth hlt'
He would not come. sought him. He
was dying. took his sword to his bed
side that might restore him to his rank.
Nothing seemed natural to me without
Massen. But ne died"
For some moments the emperor sat look
ing at the floor, holding the hand Of the
weeping mother
"Mother Massen, i have taken that
from Won which I cannot restore, France
cannot repay you for your loss. He should
have worn this had he lived"
The emperor drew from his pocket a
cross of the Legion OF Honor.
"To you, mother, am indebted for CIV
ing me Massen. i decorate you. Here,
also, is your boys commission as a mar
shal. 1t Is dated the day / disgraced him.
salute the mother of Marshal Massen"
And Napoleon bent his head and kissed
the brow Of the overwhelmed woman.
MADAME, as survivor Of Marshal Mas
sen, deceased, you will receive a pension
for life from the imperial treasury. Fare