The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-04-17

49, ISOA0 LIZ @A OCCAO 4gbECLlC0 W IL
body, retained because of his unfailing
devotion to the fortunes of his imperial
master. His unselfsh sacrifices were
numerous, his courage wonderful. No
poleon felt keenly any shock to his con-
1dence. True, the young man had not
been guilty of any treachery, but he
had done that which he knew his sire
disapproved of, and an example must
be made.
Within an hour the entire army
knew the emperor's favorite aid was
in disgrace and for gambling.
For several days Napoleon expected
4assen to seek pardon, but the brave
fellow was in the ranks, bearing a gun,
ready to fight on foot for his beloved
ruler and apparently unmindful of his
loss of rank.
The gambling ceased. That being
abolished, Napoleon was in a mood to
be magnanimous. He sent for Massen.
Sire, " said the returning messenger,
''Massen is i'll from exposure and I'M
able to move. He is dying of fever"
Conduct me to him! u exclaimed the
emperor.
The dark, olivef face wore q fixed look
of anxiety as the emperor walked be-
tween the lines of salutlng 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 mes"
But the delirious brain knew not.
The wandering eyes saw not. Napo-
leon laid his hand gently on the fired
brow, and tears sprang into his eyes
as the mumbling tongue repeated:
ut is the emperor Put them awayl
Put them away!'
See, Massen, I have brought you
back your sword"
My swordl Is it the emperor"
And he fell back dead.
\
A little cottage on the outskirts Of
Paris held a weeping Her
form was bent; her hair was white as
the Alpine SHOWS. She was mourning
for her dead boy-Massen.
hecampaign of the North had ended,
and despite it's absorbing events the
emperor never forgot he had a duty to
perform when Paris should be reached.
Some neighbors came in to console
the afflicted mother.
He was forgiven, good Mother Mas
sen; he was forgiven. Did not our sire
sit by his bedside and give him pardon
and restore to him his swOrd9 His
ofense was not serious, or the emperor
would never have sought him. Re-
me mber, he did not die in disgrace,
good mother. He was restored to
favor"
NAY, nayI" muttered the crushed
mother. He d~isobeyed. He wasnot
the noble, true Massen 1 taught him
to be. He had been disgraced and he
died without knowing he was par
doned."
Her grief was pitiable.
The sympathizlng friends departed.
There came a knock at the door. The
old lady opened it.
''C'est IempereurI" she cried, falling
on her knees and catching at the old
gray coat, pressing it to her lips.
Rise, Mother Massen, said Napoleon
In his kindest tone. Il have come to
cheer you. We mourn together. For
get 1 am your sovereign. Believe me
your friend. Your brave, noble boy is
gone"
BLESS you, sire, for those wordsE
BraveI Noble! Oh, if he could only
have heard you say thatI"
And she shook with sObs.
YES, he was my tried and trusted
lad. loved him. In my anger l dis
graced him. Weeks 1 waited for him
to seek me. He would not come. I
sought him. He was dying. l took
his sword to his bedside that l might
restore him to his rank. Nothing
seemed natural to me without Massen.
But he died"
For some moments the emperor sat
looking at the floor, holding the hand
of the weeping mother.
Mother Massen, l have taken that
from you which l 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.
ITO you, mother, l am indebted for
giving me Massen. I decorate you.
Here, also, is your boys commission as
a marshal. 1t is dated the day I dis
nnoood him aalnta the mother #