The morning times., 1896-03-22
Napoleon y
o.
And the
Monkey Boy.

copyrighted, 1896, by Gerald Brenan)
The town of Briennc was in a ferment,
for the great Emperor Napoleon had come
10 mass a few hours within its gates.
Nearly thirty years had gone 10y since the
Little Corporal had last looked upon
Brienne Then he was a poor pupil in the
military school, unable 10 speak French
and avoided 10y his fellows. Now behold
him lodged in the proud chateau or the
Counte de Lomeme, with courucrs ana
generals at his beck and call, the fdoiized
ruler OF France.
Little wonder that the emperor, riding
at The head of a glittering staff TO visit
the ruins Of his old school, should ponder
ppou the contrast which his present state
presented, TO his boyish wretchedness.
While the great emperor was waiting
for his roast chicken ana Challis, behind
the diamond-shaped window pancs OF the
Croix Blanche, very different scene was
going on in one Of the sGualid eating
houses at the lower end OF Brienne.
huge, hirsute Italian
He Was the sat drinking at one OF
ChtIdrsIi'A Master. the dirty cabaret Ia
bles, only interrupt
ing his occupation 10 hurl hard words at
MS two silent companions. These were
a small Italian boy, with a woe-begone
harassed face, ana 4 tiny marmose monkey,
absurdly dressed IN plumed hat and red pet
ticoat The boy was trying 10 eat and 10
feed the monkey also, who sat on his
shoulder.
There you go" rnared he Of the angry
words. eating YOUR fill. and doing rs little
work as possible You are a precious pair
ouaHd the nIarnloset. But I1ltell you what.
my fine Master Giuseppe if you don't bring
me back some OF the silver tonight I'll flay
yau and your friend there alive
Giuseppe arose subnissively. fastened the
nlarnloset' chain about his neck. and taking
his flaceoIet passed into the street. A volley
Uf threats from the
''padrune" followed The Monkey Was
him IA far as the cor On His Shoulder
Der. That section OF
Bricnne seemed almost deserted. since the
curious folk had hastened across the town
To see the emperor and his staff. So across
the town likewise trudged Giuseppe. the
monkey perched on his shoulder, and the bat
tered flageolct under his arm. Presently he
came to a wide street wherein great num-
ber of people were gathered in groups,
as though waiting for some one. Sach, in
deed. was the case for the street was The
Rue de 'Aubre and the Brienne pubic was
watching until Napoleon should hav2 lin-
ished his roast chicken and left the inn.
Guiseppe saw clearly that this was the
neighburhood most suitable for his first
effort. he determined 10 get where the
crowd was thickcst. and there set his in
etrunlent and the nlarmoset agoing to-
gether Accordingly he began TO push his
way. very cautiously, through the groups
Of men and women. toward thethrong which
surrounded the inn. At first he succeeded
easily enough. but. after awhile, lac found
pr0grcss difficult. Sul he persevcred val
liautly. and was al last rewarded by finding
himself on the steps OF the long, gray Inn-
building.
A cry arose in the inn behind That the
enlperor was coming. Three OF four Off
cious. servants Of The CrolX Blanche rushed
forth and rudely pushed Giuseppe and his
monkey into the arms of the crowd. The
crowd in turn angry that its view should
be IMPAIRED. hustled the unwelcome addl-
tious 10 the numbers back. Then servants
angrily took to buffetmg poor Giuseppe,
ana the boys hat falling off, all his little
earnings rolled into the street
The emperor had finished his chicken
and his chablis He stood AT the familiar
window drawing on his gloves and taking
another look into the street Something
seemed TO arrest his attention, for he
started and then smilingly beckoned Gen.
Clarke 10 his side.
Monsieur le Due" he said. do you see
that little Italian boy on the steps car
rying a marmoset over his shoulder?
Well That little fellow reminds me
ofmrSelf-myselftha that
Emperor was thirty years go.
Nu,iccd the Boy. If you can ina CINE The
nlarmoSet TO be a va
Hse. he boy culs much the same figure
on those steps as did that day in 70.
See. the crowd Is mocking him because he
speaks French so badly Notice his pale
face, his long, black hair, his poor cloth
ing-oh. mon dieu! WHAT is this?'
This sudden exclamation on Napoleon S
part had been caused 10y the double on
slaucht made upon Giuseppe. For a mo-
nent the emperor watched the scene in grim
silence: but when the boys tattered cap
fen off, scattering the money, Napoleon
wheeled inpetuously about and rushed into
y
10 see his sovereign seize an inn servant
by the shoulder and push him roughly
aside Then Clarke, divining Napo,eon's
wishes, sprang forward and lifted the terri
fled Giuseppe out OF harms way.
Bring him into the parlor.' said the
emperor: and into the parlor was the lit
tlevagrant carried. A young aid Dc camp
all alIazc with gold lace. followed, drag
ging the unwilling marmOset. Napoleon
laid his hand EiHdly on the boys black
locks and said in musical Italian: do not
be afraid, my little one; you are with
friends.
Giuseppe face became all radiant at the
sound OF his mother tongue. When ques
ticncd he told his Etory-and q sad little
story IL proved TO be.
Very well, little one" said Napoleon
when the boy had ended" You are hence
forward free from this padrone OF yours
This pointing to the gorgeous
aid-do-aamp)-"wi 20 with you 10 tht