The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-12-17

L \
NH{C " consul, to which posi-
ton he had been
| tHsF&g elected In November,
1893. My reign began
from the day l was
| nade consul he declared years aft
| erwards, and in that phrase he accu-
| rately described his power.
Installed already at the Tuilerles
with his beloved Josephine, he lived
in regal state and exercised little less
than despotic sway. Seven years be-
! fore he was an unknown artillery OF
ficer Now he was the most pron1l-
nent man in Europe, proclaimed the
savior OF his country, and practically
! dictator. What events he had CROWD
cd into those seven years! the Eng
lish hsd been driven from Toulon in
1898: he had suppressed the Paris in
surrection of 1898; he had gone
through his first victorious campaign
In italy. in 1867; had made his Wig
orous attempt to conquer Egypt, IN
1879; and now was back again In
France.
# was Christmas eve, however; the
time when pleasures are expected to
be- INDUCED in, and Napoleon liked to
show himself to the people IN pubic
places. for popularity was ever dear
to him. So he would go to the opera
that night.
He sat in an apartment over'c .,,snn
the Tuileries gardens waiting the ar
rival OF c-sae. the minister Of po-
| H. m
Ills Instructions. Josephine, to whom
he had been married since 1895, had
Just left him. and he was alone when
Fouche was announced.
You have nothing further to re-
port?" said Napoleon, his keen gaze
fixed on the minister.
Nothing"
hNo new conspifacies?"
None"
And the old ones - ~
Well under surveillance. I am
ready. to strike at the necessary mo
a1anI"
"Ah, M. le Ministre, your waiting
gives them tho opportunity OF str1k
ing the first blow This is not sol
diers way. You are only clever IL
watching plots; l want man who car
crush them at their inception. Fcuche
you must strike now. Every suspec
must go to prison. My death is de
sired by all the fanatical Royalists
Vendeans and Chouans in Paris. ant
Fouche has to stamp these consDira
cies out If Fouche does not, Napo
leon will"
First consul. you are safe" was al
that Fouche replied.
Safe or not" said Napoleon, imps
tientiy, 81 look to you to guard m
life, and with that life tho destinies O
France shall visit the opera within
an hour. You know your duty"
Consider It DONE" and with tina
the famous police functionary DE-
parted.
Napoleon, who had been workin
: hard all day and was tired, now fe
asleep. When Josephine came II
!, dressed for the opera, she had tn
5 greatest difficulty ii, rousing him fro1
the sound sleep into which he ha
fallen.
Come the carriage is waiting" sh
said
Let It be sent back" he sal,
:, drowsily q have changed my mind
I had rather not go to the opera t
' night
A. But in the end Josephine prevailet
10 and they went 70 the carriage, accom-
ia panied by Lannes and Bessieres.
a In the carriage Napoleon fell aslee
# again, and, as he afterwards relate
began to dream of tho danger he ha
run years before in crossing the Ia
hameato during food by tore!
light.
a No attempt was made to awake
him, but just as they reached tt
= corner OF the Rue Nicaise a loud o
plesion was heard, and the first CO
= sal awoke with a sudden start.
e we are blown up" he cried.
< But death by assassination was n
4 to be his destiny. An Internal IN
& chine OF most destructive characta
= prepared by St. Regent. had explode
< Just 4 second too late to effect 1
2 deadly rurlose. Although Napoles
Z ESCAPED. 90 parsons were killed al
2 So wounded,
He order q the Goa. n IA 20 dr1'
2 on, and few minutes later he Al
< Josephine en-; cred the opera ag.d 81
ceeded to their box. The hen
- cheered again and again, Eapcj.
bowling in APP sTent calm. But he q
not remain in the theater long Aft
an anxious looS around at the audienc
he turned to reassure Josephine, VI
was almost fainting with terror a
they returned to the Tui,eries
Here he was met by Feuche, up
whom he turned with Nerce and &C
temptuous anger
Il will see to this business mysel
he srtsA with sitterzsss. France sh
be pureed Of these ruaians. 1t Is 4
a question of my life, but Of SOC
order and public morality"