The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-06-11
(cHAPTER y-(contlnuedl.

. ~ - aNAASSA9 -
the emperor was theret"
Probably nothing, which had not to
10 with his daughter, could have
Eauched General Gourgaud as did that
tribute. That Ii was a tribute to his
story meant much, but the worship OF
Napoleon which burst out In the gasp
went deeper. The followers Of the
Corsican never asked for q reason why
they adored him; 1t was a feeling
blinoer and stronger than love which
he inspired, and 1t lasted in the hearts
or his soldiers to the latest moment OF
the longest life. The veteran officer
who felt this possession OF his own be-
ting saw 1t mirrored in the slim lad who
quivered before hiEa, and he loved the
lad for II.
"Sapristil" he growIed. The arm Of
the Little Corporal reaches a long way.
The child has not even seen him, and
VOLTA, he loves him"
The child's face flushed. "But yes,
my Seigneur," Francois spoke quickly.
but yes. ] have seen the emperor"
you have seen Eapoleon?" The gem
eral vas surprised. How is thatY'
In a boyish fashion, In honely
language OF his class yet with that
dramatic instince which Is character
tstically French, Francois told his tale
as his grandmother had told It to him
and to his brothers and sisters-the
tale which the children called Ma
poleon Comes." The general listened
with a sincere interest. A. simple in
many ways as the child, every least
word Of his derulgod Napoleon was
charged for him with authority. He
considered deeply when the story was
finished.
my boy" he addressed the lad, Il
do not know the law-I am q soldier.
Yet by my idea YOU are Cheyalier,
craatad M hv thn art re fha pnoat
powerful monarch who ever ruled
France--by our Emperor Napoleon.
Another monarch sits now on his
throne, yet he was IN truth Frances
ruler when Ne gave hat blow on the
shoulder which made you a knight; he
had the right Of IN emperor-therefore
you are that which he made you-the
the rest"-his hFows drew into a
buBhXaline and his eyes cleaned like
swords-"do not fsrget that he himself
charged you with O duty to his house;
your fate and his name are linked.
The time may come when, as the en-
peror said, you may be a marshal Of
France under another Bonaparte. But
that is a small thing IL the. time comes
when you maya help another Roma
parte TO come to his right, to rule over
france. 1t is that OF which you must
think till the hourl strikes and then II
is that which you must give your life
for"
Little Francoia the visionary, the
hero worshiper, trembIed. He had no
words to answer the orders leveled at
him in those rolling tones.S II will do
a. my Seigneur," he said, frightened yet
inspired, lifted into a tremendous
dizzying atmosphere. And with that a
secret which he had told no one, not
even his mother, broke forth.
MY Seigneur, a strange thing
happens sometimes have
dreams-yet they are not dreams-in
broad daylight. 1 see things-I hear
votces-which are not OF our village.
Three times I saw a long road up a
mountain, and over the mountain was
a large star. / saw 1t three times, and
nce a voice said Tt Is the star OF the
Bonapartes, but also your star, Fran
co.'s. Follow it,"
The general was a hard-headed per-
son for all his cult Of Napoleon. and
vision-seetHg appeared to him non
sense. M pooh-booded at once the
idea OF a star divided between the
house Of Bonaparte and a small peas
ant. Your mother had better put a
wet cloth in your cap" he advised.
Some o~ne-legged old fighter has been
gabblIng before you about the star of
the Bonapartes, and that and a ouch
of sunstPoke in this heat, 1t may be-,
have turned you silly. Let me hear no
more of stars, but keep at you Lesson
and learn to be- /,
With that he was aware that the boy
aid not hear him. The light figure was
On tiptoes- the large eyes stared at
the wall, and the child spoke in an un-
infected voice N IL something muf1ed
spoke through him.
II see the star" no said. Il see II.
through a window where there are iron
bars Ali" The intersection was
In the boys natural accent, and he
shivered violently. "Ughl" His teeth
Chartered and he looked about vaguely.
1T ts.like an ice house. i do not like
those dreams; they make me SO cold.
Selgneur, 1t Is late; my mother viii not
be pleased. And I must stop at the
garden and pick the vegetables for
Bupper-carrots and peas. / must hurry
to get the peas and carrots"
Little Alike, clutching her fathers
thumb, watched as the boy disappeared.
Then, to the generals establishment,
she began to sob. I'll don't know"
she answered his quick question, but
I'll think It is because I am sorry the
little boy was SO cold"