Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-03-23

Martinique. On arriving at the is
land she was gladly received by he,
loved ones. Grateful indeed seemed
this atmosphere of love to her sorrow
stricken heart.
Three quiet, peaceful years were
spent in the old home; directing the
education of Hortense and perform
ing acts of kindness to those about
her. She was passionately fond of Ma
ture, and the luXuriant foliage, the
beautiful flowers uuder that serene
sky and warm sun. all helped tC
soothe her wounded heart.
After JoSephine'S departure from
France. Beauharnais gave free rein to
his inclinations, indulging in eXtrava.
gancies of various kinds. After a
while he grew tired of it all, and was
forced to acknowledge that true
wife is the dearest friend a man can
have.
He missed the sweet, loving pres.
Sence OF Josephine, admitting that he
was thoroughly convinced of her in
nOcence and true nobility of charac-
ter. He wrote again and again as
surfing her of his confidence in her
virtue, entreating her to return.
Notwithstanding she had suffered
grievouSly from the cruel treatment
of her husband, her forgiving spirit
and mother love triumphed. In spite
of the entreatieS of her friends that
she remain at Martinique, she resolv-
ed to return to France, She was re-
ceived very cordially by her husband,
and had the exquisite pleasure of
folding her beloved son once again in
her arms So, once more united, this
now happy family spent some time
together In love and peace.
But those were troublous times,
and the families of the mobiles were
not left long unmolested.
At the beginning Of the Revolution
Beauharnais had eSpoused the cause
of liberty. He stood shoulder to
shoulder with Lafayette. holding
important positions and doing valient
service for his country. But he was a
noble, and when Robespierre came in
to power, he was one of those who,
for no other offence, was thrown into
prison.
Josephine, because of her innate
goodness had great influence with the
leaders of the day. This fact made
it possible for her to do much TO al
leviate the suffering about her and
through her efforts many suspects
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After her own husband was inn
prisioned, she became very active in
her efforts to secure his release. A
would be patriot pointed her out as
one who needed watching. A few
days later, she too, was thrown into a
prison the Convent of the CarmeliteS
Much has been written about her
life in prison. Here as elsewhere, her
deeds of kindness, loving sympathy
and gentle submission won for her
the friendship and esteem of her
associates. Only once did she meet
her husband after their imprison-
ment. Shortly before their trial, a re-
taxation in the severity with which
the prisoners at the convent were
treated, led Josephine to hope they
would soon be liberated.
Her husbands welfare was her first
thought. Accordingly she wrote an
earnest plea to the Committee OF
Public Safety before whom the ac-
cusations against him were to be
brought. Her frank, earnest letter
SO touched the heart of the president
arrange a meeting between husband
and wife, even at the risk Of his own
life. This could only be accomplished
with great care by bringing both
trials at the same time. Thus. with
out the knowledge of either, this
kind-hearted man SO manipulated af
fairs that Josephine and Beauharnais
met in the anteroom where they had
been summoned to appear before the
Revolutionary Tribunal.
This last interview was brief and
touching. They were allowed only a
few moments together, then Beau
harnais was taken before the Tribunal
where he was found guilty of no
crime. Nothing could be found
against him, except that he was a
noble. He was sent back to prison.
A few days later he was guiletotined.
Josephine, the wife Of a noble and
friend of Maria Antoinette, was SEN
fenced to the same fate. but the fall
of Robespierre the day before her
saved her life as we'll as the lives of
thousands of others.
When Josephine was liberated from
prison, she found herself in very
straitened circumstances. At the
time of her husband s imprisonment
all his estates were confiscated
by the government; thus she found
herself penniless with two children to
care for.
While in prison warm friendship
had sprung up between herself and
Madame de Fontenay, a fellow-prison-
er, who was also much loved friend
of M. Tallien, an influential member
of the convention.
After Madame de Fontenay's re-
lease from prison she married NJ
Tallien. Through his influence a part
of Josephine's property was restored,
thus enabling her to properly care
for herself and children.
Her position as the widow of the
Viscount de Beauharnais together
with her charming personality, gave
her prestige. The brightest and best
people became her friends. Her home
was the resort of the leaders in social
as well as political and military af-
fairs. Both her time and money
were freely spent wherever she could
alleviate the sufferings OF others.
When Napoleon Bonaparte was APP
pointed commander of all the troops
Of Paris, he issued an order that the
populace be disarmed.
Josephine had in her home the
sword of Beauharnais, which was of
course delivered over to the authori-
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