The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-07-15
LAMBERTvILLE n. j. WEDNESDAY JULY To- 1896
Bridoux read il, unused and said :


ut is very short You say that those
characters are from the hands of the EN-
press Marie Louise. Her autographs are
very rare
cit is authentic The empress adj
dressed it to the great Napoleon the day
after the battle of Lutzen.
"But the emperor lived at the Tuile-
ries then.
Certainly, sir, and that observation
proves your intimate knowledge of the
history of the time But, if you will re-
member, during the absence of the Lit
tie Corporal, as he whirled from battle
field to battlefield. the empress was in
the habit of retiring to the Louvre"
Bridoux was evidently fattered at his
historical knowledge being praised. but
rubbing his nose reheotively he said:
How did the letter fall into your
hands?"
''Oh, in the most natural manner in
the world. got the letter from my
father, who got ii from my grandfather
My grandfather, soldier of the empire
and fanatic admirer of Napoleon,
L
had fallen from the pocket of the great
man and preserved it as n precious relic.
Sir, nothing but the most urgent need
would force me to sell it. But ! must
have 100 francs. 1t is for me question
Of life and DEATH Nevertheless l beg
you to believe l am patriotic, for if
come to you it is because you are French
and because if you purchase it, this
precious document will remain in my
country. could have had ten times the
price | asked you. just now an English
man tried to buy it ON any terms He
followed me. even DIGGING my steps to
the door of this house. "
But Bridoux evidently did not appear
in hurry to bind the bargain.
"Iwould willingly buy it, but wish
to consult an expert first 7"
81 regret, SIR" replied Armand,
''that l cannot wait" He turned cold
inside as he said to himself, "This
affair is going to fall through if Jules
does not hurry up"
At this moment the doorbell rang.
Bridoux went to open it. Jules entered.
He was unacceptable. His hat was Oh
the back of his head, his coat was but.
toned to the chin, and he had ON pail
of long red whiskers not unlike those
which adorn the English tourists who
travel around with those queer person
ally conducted" parties.
At the sight of this curious personag,
the autograph collector stared in stupe
faction.
Pardon me, ;" said tho false English
man. / wish to speak to the gentleman
who just came into your house. F."
Bridoux was about to reply whei
Armand interrupted.
How" said he, "you here again
mani"
Eyes. will give you 900 francs fol
your letter. I"
''But 1 told you would not sell it. ;
81 will give you 500 francs, "
81 tell you, sir, that l am alread,
making bargain with this gentleman. ;
81 will give you 1000 francs"
"I beg you, sir, to leave the room. :"
Every we'll, said the false English
man, 81 VIII wait for you outside TIN
s.F-or I;s,.5 -fxisfxsrSave that autograph, >
and he left.
"You see, :" said Armand to Bridoux
"the price that Englishman attaches t.
this precious document. Don't force IN,
to let it pass into his hands when l asl
you only 100 francs
The autograph collector was at las
convinced. He took out of his secretair'
o bank note for 100 francs and gave i
to Armand, who thanked him and with
drew.
Not long after that the two young
men made raise, and the first thinf
they did was to put bank note Of 10(
francs into an envelope with this in
dorsemcnt, Restitution and thanks, .
and addressed it to Bridoux.
But Bridoux never knew what II
meant. He simply covered the 10G
francs into his treasury, and for him the
note Of the little saleswoman at the
Louvre lace counter is still an authentic
autograph of the Empress Marie Louise.
Adapted Tor the Argonaut From the
French.