The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-28

a noval out of the play and both novel
and play have had great success. Inc
play was a masterpiece of modern dra-
matte art and captured the popular taste.
Its fame was International at once and
1t was presented on the stages of every
civilized capital and big city in the world
soon after its first production In Paris.
Leperetiers novel founded on the play
was translated into many languages and
rivaled the play In popularity. Madame
sans-Gene is an historical novel in which
fiction Mays but a subordinate part.
The acrelities of the "Napoleonic saga
were nd b romantic than any creations
of imagination. 1t is full of skillful char
aeter drawing of the wonderful men and
women who played their parts in those
wonderful times of the French revolution
and the first empire.
IT was in the month of July, 1872. Louis,
sixteenth of the name was a virtual
L prisoner In the Tuilleries, and the
mob of Paris only waiting for the arrival
of the Marseiles battalions to storm the
last retreat of the descent of St Louis and
his Queen, daughter Of the Caesars"
The Duke of Brunswick, commander-in-
chief of the allied armies OF the King of
Prussia and the Emperor of Austria, had
issued his manifesto from Coblents
threatening the destruction of Paris and
the condign punishment of the rebels II
harm came to the royal pair.
What was also of lasting and inter-
national Importance was that Catherine
Tpscher, laundress of the Rue Royal,
having completed her labors for the day,
was taking her diversion in the great pub
lie ballroom known as Vauxhall, and
fine young fellow-whose sleeve was
adorned with the silver stripes of ser
geant and who wore the uniform of the
National Guard-was nightly taken as he
strutted by the groups of pretty girls by
her honest blue eyes and her plump and
pleasing persoh GATHERINGS charms were
of the robust order; her blue eyes were
trife roguish and her skin was Ike satin.
Said Sergeant Bernadotte to Sergeant Le-
febvre, seeing that young mans infatua-
ton; go on, take the place by storm.
II you have not the pluck I'll do it my
SELF
Sergeant Lefebvre walked over to the
laundress and, putting his arm around
her waist and trying to steal a kiss, said:
"Will you dance the Fricasse with me,
Nam selle?'' A good resounding slap
unon the face which made him stagger
was the reply. Nam selle,'' said the as
tonshed sergeant, putting his hand to
his cap, II trust have not offended you"
.'Oh. no offense; just a lesson for you,
replied Catherine Gust so that next time
you will know whom you have to deal
with. But mon Dieu! Sergeant, do not
h0n ha "a
of friends I am sure Come, let us
dance the fricasse.'' The band struck up,
she took him by the hand and away they
went, whirling in the dance Mon ami,
said she as he took her to table after
the wild cavorting of the frenzied dance,
.'you are an Alsatian; 1 can tell 1t by
your accent. Where were you born =
..At Ruffach on the Rhine" well, then
we are neighbors. I come from Saint
Amerin."
A pale, slight, understood young man
with lank hair falling about his face
looked on at this little episode and said
TO his companion: why, bless my soul!
Catherine has joined the guards. She is
my laundress, that young woman and
an honest, virtuous girl she Is. But she
has a plain way of speaking, which has
gotten her the name throughout the
neighborhood of Nam selle Sans-Gene
("Miss Reckless').
Il do not mind having drink with
YOU" said Catherine to Lefebvre In re-
ply to his invitation. "Oh, call over
your friends. see you want to-" And
getting upon bench and making
speaking trumpet of her hands the
laundress hailed, Here you, come over
and take a drink We won't eat your
The group of young men addressed
strolled over smilingly-four soldiers
and one civilian.
AS the group laughed and drank In
the best of innocent humor fortune
teller strolled by. Every ballroom in
those days had its wizard, who pro-
pounded the future; and never In the
history of this weary old world could
fortune tellers indulge in widest
dreams with as much possibility of
their coming true as in the year 1892.
They were about to call the seer when
he stopped at an adjoining table. at
which were seated three young men.
Lets near WndC ne lellS lHeil HrSl,
said Catherine. IT know one of Them"
eaid Lefebvre. that fellow is Andoche
Junot; he used to be in my battalion.
1.-THE next one said Sergeant Berna-
dotte is an aristocrat. Pierre de Mar
mont; he comes from Chatillon." And
who is the thirdr asked the only citi-
zen who had Joined the group, one
Fouche, that thin fellow with olive
complexion and deep eyes. I think
have seen him before"
He is a discharged army officer" re-
piled Catherine, and is waiting for a
fresh commission. He used to stay at
the Hotel de Patriots near my shop"
"Oh, Coriscan, 1 suppose" answered
Fouche, they all put up at that hotel
I remember now he had a very curious
name. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES that
not It," "Bonaparte," said Catherine.
That's 1t, oleon, be-
lieve." mo, Napoleon" replied Cath
crime gravely. What a long face he
pulls" laughed Houche. 1T should be
surprised If he ever made his way In
the world; people would never remem-
Der name like that"
The fortune teller was now intently
scanning the hand of the young soldier
whom Sergeant Bernadotta had desig-
mated as Junot Then he said In a hollow
voice: "Your career will be a glorious
one You will be the friend of a great
man and Hucal crown will rest lIpon