The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1909-01-01

Es paying Z visit 10 the
E = = Paris opera house that
\\\9 night
MANN He was now nrst
W. consul. 70 which posi-
s--1Es<eF ton he had been
y -, - elected in November.
1893 My reign began
from the day ] was
made consul he declared Years aft
erwards. and in that phrase he accu-
lstely described his power.
Installed already at the Tuueries
with his beloved Josephine. he lived
liz regal state and exercised little less
fore he was an unknown artillery Of
hcee 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
ush had been driven from T0ulon in
1898, he had suppressed the Paris in
surrectiou of 1875. he had gone
through his first victorious campaign
in Italy. in 1851 had made his Wig
orous attempt TO conquer Egypt, IL
1879 and now was back again in
France
1t was Christmas eve. however. the
time when pleasures are expected TO
be INDUCED in. and Napoleon liked to
show himself 10 the people in public
places. for popularity was ever dear
to him. So he would 90 70 the opera
that night
He sat in an apartment overlooking
the TuiIeries gardens awaiting the ar
rival Of F0uche. the minister OF po-
lice. who bad been sent for to take
his 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 10 re
port" said Napoleon. his keen gaze
fixed on the minister.
Nothing
No new cons iracies2"
None
And the old ones %
Wei under surveillance am
ready TO strike at the necessary mo
ment"
An, NJ lie Ministre. your waiting
gives them the opportunity of strik-
ing the first blow This is not a sol
diers way. You are only clever in
watching plots: want man who can
crush them at their inception Fouche
you must strike now Every susp ect
must go TO prison My death is de
sired by all the fanatical RoyalIsts
Vendeans and Chouans in Paris. and
Fouche has 10 stamp these conspira
cies out. If Fouche does not, Napo-
leon viii"
First consul you are safe. was all
thar Fouche replied.
Safe or not said Napoleon impa-
tiently. Il look to you TO guard my
life, anu 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 functiouary de
parted
Napoleon. who had been working
hard ali 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.
said.
Let it be sent back, he said,
drowsily Il have changed my mind.
/ had rather not 90 to the opera to-
night
But in the end Josephine prevailed.
and they went 10 the carriage. accom-
panied by Launes 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 ia crossing the Tag
Hamento during a food 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.
We are blown up" he cried
But death by assassination was not
to be his destiny. An Internal ma
chine Of a most destructive character.
prepared by st. Regent, had exploded.
just a second TOO late to effect its
deadly purpose Although Napoleon
escaped. 20 persons we're killed and
50 wounded
He ordered the coachmsn to drive
on. and few inmates later he and
Josephine entered the opera and pro-
ceeded 10 their box The house
cheered again and again. Napoleon
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 a fierce and con
temptuous anger.
Il viii see 10 this business myself,
he cried with bitterness. France shall
be purged Of these rufhans It 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 we're seized, and, with
ont trial frauSnorfad IN Eraucb