The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-04

- 6pOu PulIii III LldtucludtlCS, ana early
manifested his heroism by standing up
bravely in his threadbare garments and
pathetic poverty among the sons of
wealth, who hooted and insulted the pale
Corsican and doubtless called him a
Jay"
Doubtless ut no time in his whole life
did his heart sink lower, even when ho
babe adieu to the Old Guard, than when
he wrote homo begging his parents to
take him back and spare his proud spirit
this bitter humiliation
In 1885 Napoleon was made sub
lieutenant of artillery on salary that
would not have paid for his cigarettes
had he used them.
Napoleon's family shortly afterward
Joined the rebels, as they were called,
because they undertook to free Corsica
from the French yoke. But it was de-
cided that Corsica looked better in a
French yoke, and so she continued to ap-
pear i'll one. Napoleon vas compelled to
fight against his own fnmily in this
campaign.
1t might be we'll hero to say TINT the
father gambled good deal and died
poor. The mother was noble, rcSolute
woman, and to her the Little Corporal
owed no doubt the chief clements of his
greatness.
In 1893 Napoleon was made captain,
by which his pay was raised two francs,
or about 40 cents, and another pair of
rcd artillery pantaloons bestowed upon
him. They were very baggy and cheap,
but they covered bravo heart, and by
cutting armholcs in them Napoleon,
who Was short waisted man, even at
the height of his popularity, was en-
abled to go without a vest.
AS lieutenant colonel before Toulon
he distinguished himself, and even at
the head OF n soiled pack OF ragtag and
bobtail yecmanry he saw the proud
armies Of Spain and England compelled
TO evacuate the city.
In 1894 he was mndo brigadier gen
eral and sent to Italy, where he was
greatly respected, but he got mixed mp
with the Robcspierrcs, and as Il result
was imprisoned in Paris July 2S.
new period of poverty and misery
now followed. His command was taken
from him; also his salary He could
not have his boots blackencd. In his
thin and threadbare artillery trousers he
sat upon the bare stone tagging of his
cell. and by doing SO day after day some
how got the impression that this is
cold. cold world.
But fortunately II revolution broke
out i'll Paris and whilo looking for some
one to be shot at tho authorities sud
denly thought of Napoleon He was dcs-
perate. Death to him would be large,
attractive boon. He was called to take
command He gave the French hood
lums heroic prescription of grape and
filled them with fear and appendicitis.
He drove them to their holes and made
them stay there. Thus hc nipped revo-
luton i'll the bud and laid the foundation
for vast PEDESTAL which he afterward
had tho brief privilege of occupying.
March 9, 1876, Napoleon married
Josephine Bcauharnais, the widow of
General Beauharnais, who, daring tho
revolution, or reign of terror, had re-
ceivcd i'll the neck "A slight testimonial
from the French people which loft
Josephine al interim widow, full of
ginger and high purposes, bcreaved, vet
hNP'iuA, R'iipiticSip, i.lSI Wcll
gated, travelling we'll either single or
double, and not afraid Of the cars
! Napoleon made tho same error here
that so many great and gifted mon
make. Learned i'll mathematics, tactics
and the general business Of command he
yet knew littlc of women. Any one who
has ever beer III Paris could have told
him thai lie must be firm.
He should have studied woman rs he
would war, for was She not TO become
part Of the history of Franco?
But, nay, nay" said Napoleon 81
haven't time to study this gentle phe-
nomenon. must wade in blood for
weeks ut time and gaze down the can
mons mouth good deal of the time
Why should / pat III my evenings at the
nv g., =