Gilpin observer., 1910-02-03
AnEmperor WhoRemen,bered

ther was the host at a dinner given
by him in the Astor house, which, at
that time. was the largest and most
fashionable of the hotels of New
York" said Gen. Webb.
The dinner had not long been in
progress when servant brought to
my father a card. lIe looked at the
name 1t bore. was clearly puzzled for
moment. then excused himself and
went to the hotels reception room
There he was confronted by young
man OF handsome and foreign appear
ance. My father looked quizzically at
him and then at the card in his hand.
Yes. said the stranger noting the
suspicious doubt that was in my ia.
ther's mind. it is who have sent you
that card. Gen. Webb. l am he whose
name is upon it.
You are Louis Napoleon? asked
my father.
Yes. am Louis Napoleon. the
nephew of Bonaparte.'
Then. as the general continued to
look inquiringly at the young man, the
latter went on:
1 nave come to the United States
because ! was exiled from France.
have heard much Of this country from
my uncle, who, you know, lived here
for time. | have come here to see
what | can do to support myself. /
have often heard your name. and of
your Kindness to strangers, and
thought could commit myself to your
friendly interests
Have you no means of livelihood?
the general asked.
None. answered the nephew of
the great Bonaparte, and / will tell
you frankly that am almost without
money. If you could assist me in any
way, | should be very grateful, and
some day it might be in my power to
make full acknowledgment of my obli.
CATION.
Impressed by the young mans man.
ner, my father, after a little further
conversation. not only promised to
help Louis Napoleon, but also took him
to the banquet room and there intro
duced the exile to the guests. Sew
eral times thereafter he advanced Ma.
poleon funds and Furthermore under.
took to find him congenial employ.
ment. Indeed. all through Napoleon's
short stay in the country the general
was his benefactor. and a day or so
before he returned to France he
thanked my father for his great kind.
ness and repeated his promise to re.
pay the loans when the sun should
shine again for him.
Thirty years later the general who
had been sent to the empire of Brazil
as our minister there by President
Lincoln. decided to return home for a
vacation. He had to reach this coun.
try by way Of Europe, there being M
direct line OF steamers between any Of
our ports and Brazil. So. in due time.
he landed at Calais with his family,
and there took train to Paris. in or.
der to make short stay in that citv
before taking passage for New York.
THE train had not proceeded far on
its journey when the general heard a
guard calling out In French: 4 have
n telegram from his majesty the EN-.
peror for Gen. James Watson Webb,,
4 am Gen. Webb, he said. and thu
message was handed to HIM.
He tore 1t open. Sure enough. Il
was message from the emperor al
France. 1t read:
"Will you take breakfast with mo
very informally tomorrow at 12 O'Clock
at st. Cloud have just learned
of your arrival at Calals.-Napoleon.
Napoleon Ill, emperor of France.
had not forgotten the debt of gratitude
that Louis Napoleon. the moneyless
and friendless exile. owed to his bene.
factor"
Copyright. 1903. by Il. J. Edwards,-
me telephone cannot take the place
of hired man. hut n-,..