Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1910-12-02
FOOLED.
A Historical Story If
Diplomacy.
o. f.. A. sIICIaL.
copyrlam. 1910 ~ Ausfieaa Press
A#Her iaf ton

ststA@b - hsA -4aA&ssiAa tstt - ~ -
mis- younger day. vas n aewspape
correspondent; u considerable eeiebri
to
During thekeIeH war was sent Il
France as correspondent for th.
wasblngtgn -. The duties Of a En-
repean correspondent are very diner
ent from Que ln America. There II Z.
Tie dBty Of the enterprising Journalist
10 SECURE an entree 10 the society Of
these who are making the history Of
their times, from whom. alone he cal
get the news.
There was one man In France 10
whom the Emperor Napoleon III. WA
more indebted for bolsterlng him on
his throne than any Of bis Imperial
rnaJestys official councillors. One even
ing at ball at the Tuileries this man.
whom | shall call Count de v. APP
preached me and entered into con.
yersation with me about my Journal
tsfie work was rather surprised
that be should take any interest 10
such n matter. for no American cor
respondent vas n part Of the Euro
pean system. being usually employ cd
10 gather the news AS II Was publish
ed and transmit II To American news
papers.
Among other things Count De v.
asked me II eorresponded with any
other than American papers. ! re-
riied that I had Il commission 10 send
news 10 an English paper WHENEVER |
Ind anything special - send. whore
upon he asked me 10 breakfast with
him The negt morning promising that
be would Civ me an item.
When met The count the next
morning 81 breakfast ] vas not only
amazed IT the unm he gave ne. but
"A his giving e. lie told ne that The
emperor had been striving to secure
another power 70 Join him in interfef
ing 10 stop the war In America: that
be bad been working secretly aud per
sisfently upon the English govern
ment. the people ef England being al.
most wholly Oh the side of the south
owing largely 10 their dependence ON
emperor" he added. rs about TO sue.
eeed. and within sixty days com
bined French aud English tieet VIII be
on the American Atlantic coast &c
break the blockade"
Patriotic American that ! was. my
blood chilled at this information: but
Immediately remembering that II the
news were true man so close to the
emperor would be guilty OF betrnyine
a trust to give II 10 me. said. 1T
would be impossible for me To secure
the publication Of this news In any
English paper without documentary
proof"
Il can give you the proof replied
the count. provided that proof re.
mains with you and dies with you
that II Is kept secret till we are all
dead"
Il am quite sure. count" replied.
that II can ray tina, am convinced
the paper will act upon my assurance
that | have been convinced
Count de V arose. went Co a cabinet.
unlocked drawer with "A key he took
from his vest pocket aud brought out
q package Of papers. which he mid be.
fore me perused them with ever
growing wonder and long before had
finished was convinced not only OF the
truth of his statement. but that within
sixty days the independence of the
Confederate states would be acknowl-
"A
rereading the papers In order to gain
time 10 think | was perusing docu.
ments of which President Lincoln was
ignorant and which constituted the
death warrant OF the Union cause
What should | do-w hat could | do r..
20 arrest such a blow Finally | look
ed az the count and said
Count. You are either the greatest
knave or the greatest fool on earth or
You have some especial purpose which
viii result heueneentls to the en-
peror
fool / am depends upon Your sense Of
honor That / have a purpose VII
not deny"
syeu have gone SO far that YOU
must 20 further Tell me all
The count dellheraled Tor some time
aud before be spoke his manner indi
rated that he had resolved 10 tell the
whole story
every we'll" he said Listen The
throne is totterlng There are toe
many factions striving 70 possess the
government 70 permit the emperor Il
remain In peace upon Il. He realizes
this and desires TO concentrate the
minds OF the people on some foreign
achievement for the benefit OF France
He purposes 10 take possession of the
government OF Mexico. " hieh has been
offered him by few malconteuts
there. Before doing this be desires
TO break the United States into two
parts. gaining ut the same time the
good will OF one BY bringing about
fhis Intervention he will establish shs
Confederacy and gain the eternal
gratitude OF the southern people. Ills
Mexican scheme viii then be GA far
stronger basis
The count paused. and ] noticed chat
n pained expression passed over his
face
and your opinion. count, OF The v .
Aom u all thlsf
lie shrugged bis shoulders
1T means The cad Is the eonire
No more crazy sfhssEe MAS esef lie
ssssa. acissye that taefs are 0asser
lying principles b this Asaess y
struggle q Yours wAAh N he emu
however reEaete. vii glss she 5as
s..s-sh The xfctaFf ateF tAt. save 81 att