Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-10-22
An EInperor's Adventure.

The first Emperor Napoleon passed
his youth as a student in the military
school at Brienne. Like most lads, he
was fond of fruit, and certain re-
spectacle, Woodworking widow,
fruit seller, took a deal of money
from him. but sometimes he had no
cash, and then the poor woman trust
ed him with as much fruit as he want
ed, and as soon as he had money
again he paid her
But it so happened that at the time
of his leaving the school his pockets
were empty, and he was "A dollar in
debt to the woman.
AS she smillngly brought him the
last plate of juicy peaches, he said to
her: II am going away, good mother,
and l have not money enough to pay
you; but l will not forget your kind
ness if you will trust me now"
Don't let that disturb you, young
sir! God keep you in health, and make
n happy man of you. Take these
peaches and welcome"
We all know how in a short time
the student of Brienne became gen.
eral and conquered Italy, how he went
to Egypt, and returned to France
through a sea full of hostile ships, and
was made first consul, how he restored
order and peace in France, and be-
came it's most famous emperor.
There came a time when the emper-
or returned to Brienne. He was no,
unmoved at the thoughts of his boy
hood which the place called up, ant
often wandered about unattended.
While walking in the street one day
he-suddenly remembering the friend
ly old fruit woman-made enquiries
about her dwelling which was in
very low part of the town. He went
directly to it, accompanied only by
one attendant.
A narrow door led them into small
poor, but very clean room, which
served as Il shop, where an old wom-
an with two children knelt by the
stove, preparing their scanty evening
meal.
Can l buy any fruit here?" asked
the emperor, looking round at the
empty baskets.
40, yes, SIR" said the woman; "the
melons are ripe" And she fetched
one.
While the two strange gentlemen
ate their melon, and the woman laid
one or two faggots on the fire, one Of
the strangers said to her:
''Have you heard that the emperor IL
expected here today? You know him,
don't you? He used to be at the col
lege."
"Of course I know him! Many a
plate and basket of fruit did be buy
of me while he was a student here,
in the old days"
But did he always pay you proper
ly for wEat he had?' asked her visitor,
cnrcicssly.
why to be sure he did, sir" she
answered, going on with her cooking.
But, my good woman, you do not
keep quite to the truth" said the
other gentleman, laughing ''or else
you have a bad memory; for, in the
first place, l am the emperor, and in the
second, did not pay for those peach
es, besides which, l am to this day
one or two dollars in your debt, which
now l am come to pay"
In the meantime the second gentle
man counted out and laid on the table
S240, capital and interest.
The emperor gave orders that the
miserable house was to be pulled
down and another to be built for The
poor, handwriting woman in its place.
I'm this house." he said will /
lodge whenever l come to Brenne.
and it shall be called by my name"
He extended his Kindness to the
children, for he provided well for the
girl, and the boy he placed in the
same military school at which he him
self had been educated