The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-22
MARSHAL MASSEN.

leon donned his greatcoat, and taking
his cane proceeded to tour the camp. He
passed tent wherein u light was burning,
but from which no voices proceeded 1t
was an officers tent The emperor halted
and listened. IIe heard tic rattle of gold.
Without warning he entered
NC'est PerS,pcreur!'
Four players jumped to their feet, cast
OIL their hats and scrambled to hide their
stakes, which lay upon n chest.
"Hold! Give mel'
The money, amounting to gootlly 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,
II am astounded. Mono 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
"Your sword, sir!" 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 Massen. For five years he
had been attached to his body, retained
because of his unfailing devotion to the
fortunes of his imperial master. His I'M
selfish sacrifices were numerous, his cour-
age wonderful. Napoleon felt keenly any
shock to his confidence. True, the young
man had not been guilty of any treach-
cry, but he Ind 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 Mas
sen to seek pardon, but the brave fellow
was in the ranks, bearing Il gun ready to
hight on foot for his beloved ruler and mp
parently unmindful of his loss of rank.
The gambling ceased. That being abol-
1shed, Napoleon was in a mood to he mag
unanimous. He sent for Massen
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 rs 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 meS"
But the delirious brain knew not The
wandering eyes saw not. Napoleon laid
his hand gently on the fired brow, and
tears sprang into his eyes rs the mum
bling tongue repeated:
1t is the emperor! Put them away!
Put them away"
See, Massen, have brought you back
your sword"
My sword! 1t is tho emperorr
And he fell back dead.
A little cottage on the outskirts of Paris
held Il weeping woman. Her form was
bent; her hair was rs white rs the Alpine
SHOWS. She was mourning for her dead
boy-Massen.
The campaign of the north had ended,
and despite its absorbing events the en-
peror never forgot he had n duty to per-
form when Paris should be reached.
Some neighbors came i'll to console the
afflicted mother.
He was forgiven, good Mother AIassen:
he was forgiven. Did not our sire sit by
his bedside and give him pardon and re-
store to him his sword? His oiIense 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, nayr' muttered the crushed
mother. Gle disobcyed. He was not the
noble, true Massen l taught him to be-
He had been disgraccd, and he died with
out knowing he was pardoned."
Her grief was pitiablc.
The sympathizing friends departed.
There came Il knock at the door. The OLD
lady opened it,.
"C'est rcmpcrcur!' 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. az have come to cheer
yon. We mourn together. Forget l am
your sovereign. Believe ne your friend
Your brave, noble boy is gone"
Bless you, sire, for those words! Brave
Noble! Oh, if he could only have heard
you say that!''
And she shook with sobs.
"Ycs, he was my tried and trusted lad
loved him. In my anger l dsgraced
him. Weeks waited for him to seek me.
lie would not come. l 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 he died"
For some moments the emperor sat look
ing at the floor, holding the hand of the
weeping mother
Mother Massen, | have taken that
from you 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 n
cross of the Legion of Honor
ITO you, mother, am indebted for Civ
ing me Massen. l decorate you. Here,
also, is your boys commission rs mar
shall. 1t is dated the day disgraced him.
salute the mother of Marshal Massenl"
And Napoleon bent his head aud kissed
the brow of the overwhelmed woman,
Madame, as survivor of Marshal Mas.
sen, deceased, you will receive a pension
Tor life from the imperial treasury. Fare
we'll Mother Mnsspn -