Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1908-12-17


from the day / was
made consul" he declared years aft
erwards, and in that phrase he accu-
rately described his power.
Installed already at the Tuileries
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 promi-
nent man in Europe, proclaimed the
savior of his country, and practically
dictator. What events he had crowd
ed into those seven years! The Eng
lish had been driven from Toulon in
1893; he had suppressed the Paris in
surrection of 1895; he had gone
through his first victorious campaign
in Italy, in 1867; had made his Wig
orous attempt to conquer Egypt, in
1919; and now was back again in
France.
1t was Christmas eve, however; the
time when pleasures are expected to
be indulged in, and Napoleon liked to
show himself to the people in public
places, for popularity was ever dear
to him. So he would go to tn opera
that night.
He sat in an apartment overlooking
the Tuileries gardens awaiting the ar
rival of Fouche, the minister of po-
lice, who had been sent for to take
his instructions. Josephine, to whom
he had been married since 1886 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"
mo new conspiracies?"
None"
And the old oneS?"
We'll under surveillance. am,
ready to strike at the necessary mo-
ment"
"Ah, M. lie Ministre, your waitingl
gives them the opportunity of strik-
ing the first blow. This is not a sol%
diers way. You are only clever I'M
watching plots; I want man who can
crush them at their inception. Fouche.
you must strike now. Every suspect
must go to prison. My death is de-
sired by all the fanatical Royalists,
Vendeans and Chouans in Paris and
Fouche has to stamp these conspira-
cies out If Fouche does not, Napo-
leon will"
First consul, you are SAFE" was all
that Fouche replied.
Safe or not" said Napoleon, impa-
tiently, Il look to you to guard my
life, and with that life the destinies of
France. I shall visit the opera within
an hour. You know your duty"
Consider it done," and with that
the famous police functionary de-
parted.
Napoleon, who bad been working
hard all day and was tired, now fell
asleep. When Josephine came in,
dressed for the opera, she had the
greatest difficulty in rousing him from
the sound sleep into which he had
fallen.
Come, the carriage is waiting" she
said.
Let it be sent back" he said,
drowsily. Il have changed my mind
l had rather not go to the opera to
night"
But in the end Josephine prevailed,
and they went 10 the carriage, accom-
panied by Lannes and Bessieres.
In the carriage Napoleon fell asleep
again, and, as he afterwards related,
began to dream of the danger he had
run years before in crossing the Tag
liamento during a flood by torch
light.
No attempt was made to awaken
him, but just as they reached the
corner Of the Rue Nicaise a loud ex-
plosion was heard, and the first con-
sui awoke with a sudden start.
I'VE are blown upi" he cried
But death by assassination was not
to be his destiny An Internal ma
chine of most destructive character,
prepared by st. Regent, had exploded,
just a second too late to effect it's
deadly purpose. Although Napoleon
escaped, 20 persons were killed and
So wounded.
He ordered the coachman to drive
on, and a few minutes later he and
Josephine entered the opera and pro-
ceeded to their box. The house
bowling in apparent calm. But he did
not remain in the theater long. After
an anxious look around at the audience,
he turned to reassure Josephine, who
was almost fainting with terror, and
they returned to the Tuileries
Here he was met by Fouche upon
whom he turned with fierce and con-
temptuous anger.
Il will see to this business myself"
he cried with bitterness. France shall
be purged of these ruffians. 1t is not
a question OF my life, but OF social
order and public morality"
Within few weeks all the leading
conspirators were executed, and 1873
other persons were seized, and, with
out trial. transported to French
Guiana