The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-19

Idiot In America. An idiot cannot reign.
But the throne, OF France Is not clamoring
SO loud for Bourbon at present that the
idiots substitute must be proclaimed and
hold begger's court. There are mad
loyalists who swear by this eighteenth
Louis. I am not one of them. In fact,
Lazarre, was rather out of tune with
your house." -.-.t .ss.. s-. IL "a.
MOT you," said. 20
II do not fit in these times. I ought to
have gone with my king and my friends
under the knife. Often am ashamed Of
myself for slipping away. That I should
live to see disgusting fools in the streets
Of Paris, after the Terror was over
young men affecting the Greek and Roman
manner-greeting: one another by wagging
of the head. They wore gray coats with
black collars, gray or green cravats,. car
ried cudgels. and decreed that all men
should have their hair plated, powdered,
and fastened up with comb, like them
selves. The wearer of a queue was likely
to be knocked on the head. These Great
ures used to congregate at the old Fey
deau theater or meet around the entrance
Of the Louvre, to talk classical jargon,
and wag." s,"~.'l7
The Marquis du Plessy drew herself to-
gether with strong shudder. I had the
desire to stand between him and the
shocks Of an alien world. Yet there was
about him tenacious masculine strength,
an adroitness of self-protection which
needed no champion. 49,
did the Indian tell you about a man
named Bellenger?" inquired.
"Bellenger is part Of the old story about
the dauphin's removal. I heard Of him
first at Coblenz. And I understand now
that he is following you with another
delicate ways. Napoleon Bonaparte Is
master of France, and in the way to be
master Of Europe, because he has nice
sense Of the values of men, and the best
head for detail that was ever formed In
human shape There is something almost
nothing escape him. The only, mis-
take he ever made was butchering the
young Duke dEnghien-the courage
and clearness Of the man WaVered that
one instant; and by the way, he borrowed
my name for the dukes incognito during
the journey under arrest! England, Rus
STA, Austria and Sweden are combining
against Napoleon. He will beat them.
For, while other men sleep, or amuse
themselves. or let circumstances drive
them, he is planning success and provid-
ing for all possible contingencies. Take
a leaf out of the generals, book, my boy.
No enemy Is contemplate. If you want
to force the hand Of fortune-schene!-
scheme!-all the time!-outscheme the
other fellow!' p, -..... i: .-'--..
The marquis rose from the table. ~
II am longer winded," he said, than
a man named De Chaumont, who has been
1mportuning Bonaparte, in season and out
Of season. to reinstate an American emf
gre, a Madame de Ferrier.' -
Twill Bonaparte restore her lands?'
asked, feeling my voice like rope in my
thoat.
do you know her family?"
Il knew Madame de Ferrier In Amer
ica."
Their estate lies next to mine. And
what is the little De Ferrier like since she
Is grown?"
"A beautiful woman"
"Ah-ah! Bonapartes plan will then be
easy Of execution. You may see her this
evening here in the Faubourg st. Ger
main. believe she is to appear at Ma
dame de Permon's. where Bonaparte may
look i'm
My host bolted the doors of his private
cabinet and took from the secret part OF
wall cupboard the queens jewel case
We opened it between US. The first thing
| noticed was a gold snuffbox. set with
portraits Of the king, the queen, and their
two children.
How I knew them cannot tell Their
pictured faces had never been put before
my conscious eyes until that moment
Other portraits might have been there. !
had no doubt, no hesitation.
I was on my knees before the face
| had seen in spasms Of remembrance
with oval cheeks and fair hair rolled high
and open neck-1ny royal mother! .,
! Next looked at the king, heavier Of fea-
ture, honest and straight gazing, his chin
held upward; at the little sister, a smaller
miniature Of the queen; at the softly mold
ed curves Of the child that was myself!
| The marquis turned his back. -
| Before 7 could speak I rose and put my
arms around him. He wheeled, took my
hand, stood at little distance an6
kissed it.. : -
We said not one word about the por.
traits, but sat down with the jewel case
again between us.
| ''These stones and coins are also my SIS
ter's, monsieur the marqu1s?' -,
! He lifted his eyebrows.
| II had ample opportunity, my dear boy
to turn them into the exchequer Of the
Count Of Provence. Before his 5quarre
with the late czar Of Russia he maintained
as many ladies, to say nothing of priests
Iservants, attendants Of attendants, ane
guards. This treasure might last him twt
years. II the king Of Spain and his maj
esty Of Russia got wind of it, and shu1
! off their pensions, 1t would not last 81
long. am too thrifty a Frenhcman tt
dissipate the boards of the state in for
|
Il will not say my honesty, Lazarre-'
II question nothing, monsieur ash
advice
''Eh, bienl Then do not be quite a!
punctilious as the gentleman who go
| turned out of the debtor side of Ste
Pelagie into an alley. This will not do,
says he. So around he posts to the en-
trance and asks for admittance again!'
Catch me knocking at Ste. Pelagie TO
admittance again" .:
"Then my advice is to pay your tailor
II he has done his work acceptably."
HE has done it marvelously, especial!
| in the fitting"
"a Partisan workman finds it no miracl
to fit man from his old clothes. tool
the liberty Of sending your orders. Hav
ing heard my little story, you understand
that you owe me nothing but your society
! and a careful inventory Of this trust"
We were long time examining the con
tents of the case. There were six bags o
coin, all gold louis; many unset gems
rings for the hand; and clusters Of vari
Gus sorts which + knew not how to name
that blazed with kind Of white fir
1,olF