The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-09-10


tories md hasn't even had a buttonhoIc
burned in his coat. Isn't it plain enough?
Tho bombs know him wcll-bottcr than
we do, EVENLY his whito horse his little
green mantle, his blazing eyes Woe to
such rs poster him And, look you, even
tho grapcshot recognize him perfectly and
skip over his head, for his hat they dare
not touch! That point
Suddenly y powerful voice intcrruptcd
tho speaker, and tho sentinel cried:
Tho cmperor!"
1t was he. Tho staff, silently accom-
panying him, stood, mufIlcd and motion
less, four PAGES in tho rear. Howas dress
cd as light infantry officer, with green
tunic and white waistcoat. Ho was rec
ognizcd by the smallncss of his stature and
tho greatness of his escort
How is the nppotitc-good?"
Yes, emperor" said the grcnadier.
whats in tho soupP"
Austrian horse"
Napoleon broke into Il laugh. He loved
tho humor of his soldiers
Listen, my men, he said, speaking
rapidly. "Wo fought yesterday. Wo will
fight again tomorrow. Let every ono who
has claim to tho Legion of Honor or to
promotion come forward now, on the SPOT.
and DECLARE himself
~ Hl'iil Slcpllcu out OIL tno ranks
what Is your nanc?"
"Watrin, characterization under Oudi-
not"
"And you dcsiro?"
"Tho cross!''
Napoleon looked at him. 1t was his
custom of an evening to stroll among the
bivouac fires, questioning tho soldiers, cor
rccting in this way tho ill will or the neg
lcct OF the rcgmcntal chief, awarding
rccompcnscs upon the spot.
Como" said the emperor, "spcal.
What have you dono to deserve tho cross?''
Watrin stood ut parade" motioncss,
In tho attitude Of the soldier without
arms, almost like tho rigidity of death
1t was /, " he said timidly, sit was 1
who, in the desert of Yafa, presented you
with watermelon when tho heat was
enough to burn the hair off ones head
The men burst out laughing, why no
one knew. Napoleon himself smiled.
81 renew my thanks" ho said, "but the
gift is not worthy of tho cross Let us
wait both Of us, for better occasion.
hope that tomorrow
Tomorrow, rs mt the other times"-
said tho veteran.
No ono heard him. Tho mcrriment.
waxing louder, sent its rovcrbcratons into
the distance, reaching other bivouac fires.
There was hurry; there was running.
Torches OF straw flarcd up in the night.
Those words: 'Thc emperor! The en-
peror!" already resoundcd on every side.
Napoleon, being compelled to proceed,
quilted Watrin, and followed by tho staff,
was swallowed up in tho multitude
Tho dawn of tho 22d of May.
Tho archduko renewed the attack and
strovo to pierce the limo between Essling
A &c
flow at the enemy. Messtna yelled.
'Grcnadcrs, there's fun over there, and
we'ro not in it!' and away ho rode, his
sabor in hand, where the bombs offered
him distraction" Lannes rushed for
ward at full gallop, without troubling
himself to sec if he was followed and the
Old Imperial Guard, unmuZzlcd threw it
self, tooth and nail, upon tho Austrians
In one hour the archduko' army had melt
cd away in the sun. 1t crystailZcd anew
however, and the guard received it Will,
grapcshot. Once more it paused, alright
cd. BcsSicrcs, cnragcd ordered the double
quick. Decisive charged The enemy fled
and, returning, fled again. These counter
strokes caused tho victory to wavcr, like
the pillows of the ocean, but for lack of
other food ST. Hiairc's, Demont's, Thar
reau's and Claparcdc's divisions Of infan-
W Soi Sci ticnfSciNcS Will glory, cScn 10
the point Of rcplction. The combat had
lasted 30 hours
In tho evening there was rost and the
emperor, according to his custom, ma6o
the round of tho hospitals.
AS no was passing along tho rows of
wounded q head that no recognized caused
him to stop.
It's my man of yesterday he said.
A surgeon was there
As this mans wound grave one?'
mo, sire. The bandage might even be
taken OFF,
Tho emperor did not reply. watrin was
shopping like q post. His face was cleft.
from ear TO oar.
lot ClapMede be summoned"
AN olhcer vanished, and the eenerrd se,on
appeared.
''Tcil mo about this man, F" said the. en-
perur.
Chpagefc, accustomed to questions Of
this sort, Sent for his adjutant nnd The
reginehtal records.
IKE wounded were al conscious of tho
empeNr's Vccaoncn - in sinister relief.
their figures h;sf emerged above thoi GOV.
erings, and they were silc,It Tho atlin-
tAnt came. Claparodc motinned to him
and tho aIjptanf, taking up passboolz,
read;
"watrin, born ae Romony. y6sgss, In
i767'-
"Omtt that said thn cmpcron Has
this man received any punishmcntsS~
..'Nopc," said tho goecral.
ltA,NH his c.,~,irnsff