The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-08-27

i, You are always eager. Francois.
she said Very well. then. Two
young men were placed down the
road &c warn us. so that the men OF
the place might hide on the noun
tain 10 escape being taken for SOL
diers. All that day nothing hap
pened. but the next morning toward
half past ten, as ] pr. pared the din
ner. there was a sudden noise in the
street. and your father came in.
My mother, he said, Napoleon
comes
Outside heard the neighbors call
ing the same two words--'Napoleon
comes one called ii to another. IL
the trumpet of the angel had sound
ed the end OF the world, they could
not have had more fear Then your
father kissed me, and kneeled and
held you. Francois. and Tomas. in
his arms. and | saw tears, bu. he
was brave-but yes Courage, lit
tie mother. he said, for me and for
the babies. Courage
And at that your father, WHO was
my little lad once. you know. my
dears. had gone. and stood with an
ache where my heart should have
been. and for a moment was stupid
and could not think Francois held
TO my apron, and 7 lifted Tomas
What are you crying about, naughty
grandmere?' asked Tomas So
dried the tears, and Francois began
To say that he was sleepy. I'M
dressed him and the baby and put
them To bed for their nap in the lit
tie ct>mber which opens into the
great one. and as | left them asleep
and came again into the large room
there, with its great oak table,
stood a moment and thought OF your
dear father flying through the woods,
and of how ! was left to take care
or his home and his children. And
the thought of duty to be done
brought calmness
{ AS | stood SO, like a blow there
4. was rush Of galloping horses in a
shower Of noise down the street. and
my heart stopped. for the horses
drew up at this house. So that |
was still in the middle of the floor
when the door opened
| Francois hand was laid against
her cheek. THE door into the great
entry--that door there?" he de-
manded In whisper.
But yes. mon p'tit-that doer."".
Four pairs of round eyes followed
Francois gaze that turned to the
panels of heavy oak. 1T opened,
that door there, and against the light
saw men crowding in the entry.
They wore uniforms OF bright colors.
md swords hung at their sides. and
on their heads were hats with trim
mings of gold. Then | saw--Napo-
leon. I knew him at once, though
| had never seen his face. though his
figure was perhaps the smallest. One
knows the lion from the common
beasts. ! stood quietly. remember
ing only that must guard my sons
children, and he spoke. With a step
toward me he spoke in a kind voice,
half smiling,
7 Madame he said, will you let
us use this room and this fable for
an hour? You shall not y disturb
ed Tn your work."
The grandmother stopped and lift
led her hand, and her head was up
as IL listening. ITEMS, hear his
voice now" she whispered, and the
children started, as If expecting to
catch a note of the tones that had
sounded here--the tones that had
carried across the world. The story
went on.
Il made my courtesy to these great
gentlemen as I had been taught. and
| I found myself saying quite easily
to his majesty the emperor. as cas-
lily as IL | talked to Monsieur lie Cure,
10 whom | was accustomed. that he
was welcome; that | would serve him
gladly IL he wished to command me.
And then | left them. There was
that about the great emperor which
made one happy to be Of use TO him.
| did not understand IL, but | felt IT,
as | had heard the men talk about
| IL who had seen him. My son was
flying from him, he was draining the
land Of our men, OF our comfort and
| happiness. and yet here ! was, will
| ing and glad TO do the best or the
greatest thing for him. He was
more than a man, Napoleon. As |
left the room, at the door ] saw a
big soldier with an enormous fur
shake on his head and a saber in
J .sis-fnntf.- VINO mounted guard. and
there were at each door and at each
window soldiers on guard-think OF
that. my children--our peaceful
house surrounded with grand SOL
diers. | could not help being n little
proud as | saw it, And before the
entry here a crowd OF huge horses
stamped and snorted. so full OF spirit
that the groorns could scarcely hold
them went quietly into the kitcf-
en- and began, as In the ordinary
way. to gei dinner. but I was so
sdazed with what was happening that