davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17

ceit by mingling with titled people. To her hard-headed fathers protest against her forsaking her place as the head Of his household. she replied: Tt was impos- sible to bend my tastes and ambitions to the obscure destiny of a Baltimoos housekeeper and it was absurd to attempt 1t after had married the brother of an Emperor" And in his will the father de- scriped her as my disobedient daughter, Betsy When at length she did return 10 America it was to take up the man agement of her estate in her native city
 Betsy's husband was the last survivor among the brothers of Napoleon, but she putlived him many years, and outlived her son as well. After the second em- pire had risen from the ruins of the first at Waterloo and fallen at Sedan. and she was four-score and 10, Mime. Bona parte still did her own bargaining and collecting as she went through the streets of Baltimore, an old carpet bag in her hand. Although reputed to be more than millionaire, she passed the last IS years of her life in boarding house. where in her many trunks she cherished her fondest treasures-the purple satin coat Jerome wore>~at their wedding, a gown given to her by the Princess Pauline au- other from Mme. Mere and all the other faded finery of the days of her imperial dreams.
 Is not the gravestone of Betsy Paterson. Tn Greenmount cemetery, near the union railway station of Baltimore marker on the Path of Napoleon" to Ids down. fall? Perhaps it was in dissolving her marriage that the Emperor took the first fateful step toward his own divorce. At least it lost him a sister. whose loyalty to ms throne would have been an exam pie to his own sisters. whose thrift and ambition would have been useful to the prodigal and silly Jerome. and whose beauty of person and purity of life would have done credit to the court of the empire.
 Copyright 1913-l4. by James Morgan.)
 Next Sunday: Napoleon. the Kingmaker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
When Jerome and Bety Met

After tedious cruising in the tropic waters of the West Indes and rising to a. lieutenancy Jerome landed at Norfolk, Virginia. in the summer of 1903 with Cap tain Joshua Barney, the American sailor of fortune. who was retiring from the French navy. Lieutenant Bonaparte was also accompanied by a son of the former Director Rewbell and two other com panions-in-arms. who were as eager as he for the pleasures of the shore. At Baltimore in the home of Samuel Chase a signer of the Declaration of Independ- ence, Jerome met the 1S-year old daughter of William Patterson, an Irish immigrant who had won his way from poverty to the rank of the richest merchants in America.
 While 1t was said of Elizabeth, or Bet sy. now that we have ben properly introduced to her. that "she charms by her eyes and stays by her tongue' her deadlier weapon spared Jerome at that first meeting and left him wholly charm ed. In one swift month more while in Washington, where he dined with President Jefferson, the wooer announced his engagement. and in a few days took out a marriage license.
 The French consul general warned the Patersons that by the law of France the marriage of a man under 9 was not legal unless with the consent of a parent On guardian. The family accepted the warn ing. disappearing equally of Jerome youth--he was not yet 19--and of his name For Bonaparte. leader of revolutionary France. sounded no better in the ears of the classes in America than in Eng land. Betsy was bundled off to Vir.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
The First Royal Match

The conquest of Austria completed and the spells of victory secured, Napoleon proceeded to Munich, where Josephine awaited him. Having vanquished the an cient empire, he felt entitled now to de pire, and at Munich he began his im- perial matchmaking with the sovereign of Bavaria. Arranging the details of the match with the speed of a military maneuver, he marched the couple to the altar at double quick.
 Eugene Beauharnais, now a prince and the viceroy of Italy, was to be the happy groom on that occasion and his happiness was announced to him by Napoleon in fhe terms of a battle command: "I have arranged your marriage with the Prin- cess Augusta. It has been announced This morning the princess visited me and spoke with her for a long time. She is very pretty. You will find herewith her ter looking
 Eugene obaiiently flew over the Alps from his vice regal post at Milan while his stepfather impatiently waited to see the marriage celebrated before return ing to Paris. It chanced that the Prin- cess Augusta was already betrothed to the heir of the reigning house of Baden {; but that circumstances did not balk Ma poleon. He promised to provide another bride for the Baden neir and he gave |, him Stephanie Beauharnais, distant cousin-in-law of Josephine. The girl hated the sight of her betrothed and their honeymoon began at the Tuieries with her door barred against him.
 Stephane was a granddaughter of Fanny Beauharnais, aunt of Josephine S first husband. But Farny having made a second marriage with negro and left her family, Napoleon had taken Fan ->ys own daughter under his protection ,-ad before the Egyptian campaign had married her to his aide, Lavaliette As for Stephanie, he had almost spoiled heI with his fondness. When she petuantly refused to rise and stand in the presence of his sisters ard they stamped theil imperial feet with rage, he indulgently took her part and said to the little girl s'Come and sit on my knee; then yo, will be in no ones way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
An Interesting Discovery

Browns an inquisitive chap Coming home from, the club last night. he climbed Il pa high gate post to see what the sign was at the top.''
 What was it?''
 "Wo paint"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
A Matrimonial Camnaiyn

gretted the matches made by his family in humber days. With a little foresight and patient waiting, the Bonapartes might all have made royal marriages that would have bound to him every reigning house in Europe.
 Although he had grown fond of Chris tine Boyer, he was somewhat consoled for her untimely death by the hope of making a more ambitious second mar riage for Lucien, and he congratulated himself that Jerome, his youngest brother was still available. With those two el- igible brothers at his disposal. he planned matrimonial campaign among the prfncesses of the continent.
 Not long after Jerome left Patrick MacDermots College Irlandais at St. Germain, the levity of his life in Paris alarmed the First Consul, who was very fond of and indulgent toward the boy. When Napolon returned from his vic tory at Marengo, he found Jerome still pouting over his refusal to take him along on the campaign. Let us make peace the elder pleaded. 'I will give you any thing you want" And he was immense ly pleased to have Jerome throw his arms about his neck and ask him for the sword of Marengo. The youth had his wish and kept the sword through life.
 Napoleon was detirmined that Jerome should become what he himself had once hoped to be. a naval officer. His parting injunction to his light-hearted brother was expressed in these Spartan terms: Die young and I shall be consoled, but not if you live 50 years without glory, without usefulne ss to your country and without leaving behind a trace of your exstance."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
Overdose

1T understand Mrs. Neurfch has had her house done over"
 Yes; and herself also" How about her hueband?''*
 "Oh, he has been done Over and Over ] againv
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
In Simpler Days

While he was arranging marriages from the highest throne on earth with the hands of nearly all the princes and princesses in Europe at his command, Napoleon must have smiled at his simple uess only dozen years before when he thought Joseph Bonaparte "a lucky 1og'' for capturing Julie Clary, heiress 60 the fortune of a Marseilles soap manufacturer and money lender. But even in those plain days. he had spurned Christine Boyer whom Lucien married eht of a tavern keepers family. Chris fine, however, won him by diligently ac- ouiring the accomplishment of reading and writing and by her natural graces of character and person.
 In spite of his stern commands his uieter Elisa had married poor stick of c Corsican, and he had been far from
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17

of Cupid. Always filled with passion ,1 for matchmaking, if he had not gone into the business of empire'-or opened real estate agency with Bourfienne-he might have prospered as the proprietor of matrimonial bureau.
 After his capture of Ulm. he ordered Josephine to follow his line of march through Germany as rar as Munich and visit the courts of his allies. He wished to reinforce his conquering sword with her captivating smile and employ it to reconcile the German princes to the em- pire as' it had been employed to win the old aristocracy of France over to the consulate. Carefully instructing her just how to wear her imperial dignity abroad and bear herself among the lesser if old CT royalties. he wrote:
 Bring with you the means of making presents to the ladies and to the func- tionaries who may serve you. Be unas9 suming. but receive all homage. vry- thing is due to you. You owe nothing but courtesy The Electress of Wurtem- burg is a daughter of tha King of Eng land. She is a lovely woman. Treat her with kindness but without affectation."
 Josepnlne seems 10 nave remained the same indifferent correspondent as when E1ie was the bride of the conqueror of Italy and her husband thus chded her after the battle of Austerlitz:
 August Empress-Not one letter from you since your departure from Strasburg. You have entered Baden, Stuttgart and Munich without writing ds word. That is not very amiable, nor very tender. am still at Brunn The Russians have gone. l have a truce.
 "Condescend from the summit of your grandeur to occupy yourself little with your slaves NAPOLEON"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
Married Again,

Jerome. after idling about the sea for awhile. was rewarded first with the rank of rear admiral and then with the title of prince. not to mention the pay ment Of his always rapidly accumulat-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
I the Path of Napoleon Years After His Do1vran

The story of Napoleon's restless matchmaking is one of the comedies of history, a comedy that ended in the tragedy of Josephine's divorce.
 MT. Morgan's story today describes the earliest shadow that fell upon Ma poleon as the conductor of a matrimo- nial bureau. when he dissolved the marriage of Jerome BOnaparte and Betsy Paterson of Baltimore. The Bcnapartes and their Marriages January [. 1T6s-Joseph born. -sEgus. l, 1794-Married Julie Clary. August 15 17e9-Napoleon born. q March 2. 17s6- Married Josephine. March 21, 105-Lucien born.
 March 4, 1794- Married Christine Boyer. May IA. 1s0O-Christine died May 25 1S03-Married Mme Joubertin. January 3, 17G- Eliza born.
 May ]. 1797-Married Baccioch. September 2, 177S-Louis born. June 1. 1sO2-NIarried Hortense Beauhar- nais.
 October %. 17S0-Pauline born June IA. 1797-Married Lecerc. November 1, 1S02-Lecerc died. November 3. 1s0S-Married Borghese. March 26 17s2-Caroine born January 20 1S00-Married Murat December IS. 17S4-Jerome born December 24. 1S0s-Married Betay Pater- son.
 February 22. 1so5-Matriage invalidated by French law.
 April ?. 1s05-Jerome and Betsy parted at Lisbon. July :, 1s05-Bi of son
 September 27 1s05-Betsy sailed for America.
 June 26. 1S06-lloly see refused to an null Jerome's marriage
 August %. 1S07-Jerome married Cath crime.
 June 24 lS6o-Jerome died.
 April 4. 1S79- Betsy died, aged 9l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
Betsy Free to the Empire

Betsy ever remained faithful to the ern- pire that banned her. Long after 1t had fallen che continued tt wander about Europe where she could humer her con
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
An Adventurous Honeymoon

Jerome and Betsy were presenteu with problem in blockade running. How was he to steal through his broth er's tightly drawn lines and take Betsy into France? Many were their adven- lures even before they had succeeded in clearing the American coast.
 For time the couple lived in Wash ington. where the British minister com plained that Jerome was honored above him. Next they toured the country, going to Niagara Falls and as far east as Boston When they arrived in New York, the officers of a French vessel in port tickled Jeromes ears by saluting him as your imperial highness' There Being none of Lucien's stubborn fiber in his composition, he grew increas- ingly impatient to be prince and swing his legs from the steps or throne
 An arrangement was made for the bride and groom to sail on the French ship, the officers not having yet re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17

Napoleon turned from the vic torious field of Austerlitz. he laid aside the shield and spear of Mars for the bow and arrow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
A FaifhIeaa Father

In three months more Jeromes d1s- honor was complete when he stood before the world faithless father as well as a faithless husband. his desert ed wife giving birth to son in a London suburb and dutifu1ly christen- ing him Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte. It Is true that Jerome wrote Betsy, '.Teach our child to love and esteem his father, and say to hina. Your fath . CT will always prefer you to greatness. fortune. to all the state of high rank. Leave you, my good wife? never had this fatal thought. . After hav- ing fulfilled my duty as brother of the Emperor. I will fulfill that of a husband"
 But the baby hands of little Jerome Napoleon not having proved strong enough to draw the father away from his vanity. Betsy and her family gave up hope, and she sailed home. bitterly lamentfng. "The Emperor hurled me back on what I hated most on earth my Baltimore obscurity. But even that shock could not destroy by admiration for his genius and glory" And she ac- cepted such solace for her wounded pride as pension of s12.O00 a year from Napoleon afforded.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
An International Problem

As fast as sails could take him. Betsy s brother Robert sped to Paris with a let ter from James Madison. Secretary of State. commenting him to the good of fees of Robert R. Livingston, the Ameri- can minister in France. For the bride had two influential uncles at Washington. Robert Smith, Secretary of the Navy and Samuel Smith, who had just been elected to the Senate. and was now sitting in the special session called to ratify the purchase of Louisiana from Napoleon. Uncles Robert and Samuel did not hide their satisfaction with the match from John Quincy Adams. who wrote that the Smiths are so elated with their supposed elevation by this event that one step more would fit them for the discipline of Dr. Willis'-the alienist of the day.
 Although President Jefferson received the bride and groom at the White House. he expressed the fear, in a dispatch to his minister at Paris that Napoleon might take it into his head to call the President of the United States to account for per- hitting the wedding to take place. Jeffer- son thoughtfully prepared Livingston, in the event of Napoleonc outhurst, to give assurance that not only was the President powerless under American law. but also that Jeromes father-in.iaw was 'the wealthiest man in Mary land. per haps in the United States. except Mir. Carroll''-Charles Carroll of Carrollton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17

ginia plantation and her lover seeming to submit, relieved the troubled mind of the consul general by assuring him that the engagement was at end, which news was dispatched to Tallyrand.
 It was nearer the truth, however that the spendthrift was at the end of his fi- nancial resources. having burned up $16, 900 in the course of a four-months' so- journ. The consul general gratefully responded by a loan and by hiring a ship in Philadelphia for Sl0,000 to take Jerome back to France. But instead of taking passage for home, the lovesick young man, who had been in correspondence with Betsy all the while, returned to Baltimore to meet her on her return from Virginia. And she came back vowing she would rather be the wife of Jerome Bonaparte for one hour than the wife of any other man for life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
Cutting off the supplies

In strict accordance with his favorite strategy, he cut off Jerome's supplies, leaving him dependent on ''his wife's people, as the homely saying is while he commanded that the bridegroom should leave 'in America the young person in question:" and come hither to associate himself to my fortunes
 The empire was dawning. and as its full glory burst upon the Bonapartes, Lucen and Jerome were left in the outer darkness Tho obedient Senate decreed that no civil officer should record the pretended marriage of Jerome. while the new Emperor for bade any French vessel to bring his American sister, in-law across the water, and forbade any French port to permit her to enter the empire. She shall not set foot on the soil of France" he declared.
 Mother Letizia, who had abandoned the court and the country and turned her back on the coronation to take her stand with Lucien, the banished son. tried to soften Napoleon's spirit toward Jerome: but the Emperor wrote her. If he is not prepared to wash out the dis honor which he has brought upon my name by abandoning his flag for a wretched woman, I shall give him up forever" Poor Letizia truly expressed her maternal nature when she said my love is always deepest for the most unhappy of my children She could offer Jerome no better advice than that he make his appeal to the Emperor in person, while Betsy went to Holland, and awaited for the inn perial will to relent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
The Baltimore Marriage

Meanwhile Jeromes companion, young Rewbell, had married another pair of eyes that charmed. and the Spanish min ster who also had an American wife, was interceding for the other pair of lovers. Perhaps, too, the growing rumor that the Bonapartes we're about to be transformed into an imperial house was having a modifying effect on Betsy's family.
 Apparently the poor consul general lost their cooperation in his efforts to break up the match. for he denounced them Now as possessed with an inconceivable in fatuation for the marriage. It is really the young man who has been seduced.' At any rate, the Paterson frown had changed to a smile Of acquiescence by Christmas eve of 1898, when, the mar riage contract having been drawn up by Alexander J. Dallas. Jerome and Betsy were married by John Carroll Roman Catholic bishop of Baltimore, in the pres ence of a small company, including the mayor of the city. The groom wore a purple satin coat and the bride was ray shingly pretty in clnging Indian mus lin 'beneatb this dress there was but single garment'--and a guest cal culated he could have put her entire outfit in his pocket
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17

This stormy mood was still upon him when like a thunderclap came the report of Jerome's marriage. He had been as- sured that the engagement was broken and the episode closed Robert Paterson. therefore, could find no one who dared intercede for him. Minister Livingston was too good a diplomat to rush into a family row. Joseph Id invite his new Baltimore relative to dinner but through a long and dreary meal not a word was spoken about Betsy or the wedding.
 Lucien, filled with a fellow feeling. was far more cordial. He assured MT. Paterson that all the Bonapartes-with only one dissenting voice-were pleased with the match, and hoped that Jerome, becoming a citizen of the United States, would "assimilate himself to the plain and uncorrupted manners of your tn- comparable nation"
 Lucien himself, however, was even then packing up to take flight from France, while the one dissenting voice in the family was pitched in scornful tone. Napoleon wrote to Cambaceres that such a marriage as Jerome's was mo more real than if it had been be- tween two lovers who marry in a gar den on the altar of love in the presence of the moon and stars 5
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
Lucien and Jerome In Same Box

Robert Paterson arrived in Paris not only with high official credentials but also with a warm letter of indorsement of his sister from Eliza Monroe. which the latter had addressed to her school mate. Hortense. But 1t was most un- fortunate for young Paterson's mission. that Napoleon had already been thrown into wild fury by hearing of another marriage in the family against his wish.
 l.ucien had secretly married Mime. Joubertin and thereby rewarded one who had long consoled his widowerhood by making her his lawful wife. When Duroe whispered in Napoleon ear the news of the marriage with the widow the first consul sprang to his fees in the midst Of musicale at St. Cloud Stop the mu- sic.'' he demanded to the amazement of the musicians and his s;i,ests. Pacing the hall he exclaimed Treason. It Is trea- sonr'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17

ceived the edict against Betsy. But three British ships were lying off Sandy Hook and Jerome decided not to take the chance of capture. Again the pair sailed from Annapolis, but when a British naval vessel was sighted Betsy took alarm and they came ashore. An other time they sailed from Philadel- phia but the vessel ran on sand bar in the Delaware and Betsy Insisted on landing.
 Finally her father fitted out for the couple one of his own ships, the Erin, and they sailed under the American flag. The Erin made a rough voyage but Jerome, in his attempt at a letter in English, sent back this assurance to his father-in-law: You know as well as anybody that seasick never has killed nobody.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17
Jerome and Betsy Parted

with the French ports all closed to Betsy, the Erin put in at Lisbon where the French consul came aboard and in quired of the bride, What can do for Miss Paterson?" The miss" spiritedTy replied: "Tell your master that Mime. Bonaparte is ambitious, and demands her rights as member of the imperial familyw
 Jerome was confident that he needed only to arrange to have Napoleon ex- pose himself to Betsys beauty and wit to insure her conquest of the Emperor. Filled, no doubt, with high hopes of bringing the two together, he left his wife in Lisbon Harbor to go to his brother
 While he journeyed to Italy, whither the Emperor had gone to put on his second crown, the Erin sailed for Hol- land. only to find the Dutch ports closed against the Baltimore bride as tightly as the French Finally landing on the one neighboring shore that was Tree from Napoleon's dictation, Betsy was welcomed at Dover by big crowd and government escort, and the next day in effusive terms the London Times proffered the Hospitality of England to one who had commended herself to the English by the annoyance she was causing Napoleon
 Arrived in Italy. Jerome found admis- sion to the imperial presence barred until he surrendered without condi- tions. His approaching obligations as a father constituted no valid argument with the Emperor. Apparently they were borne lightly enough by Jerome himself, who, after Il days, which measured the full length of his forti- tude and heroism, submitted himself absolutely to his brother at Aless- andria. where a rehearsal of the bat tie of Marengo was being held. "So sir" the Emperor said to the youth oi the white feather, you shamefully abandoned your post! It will require many splendid actions to wipe out that stain. As to your love affair witt your little girl. I do not regard it As Napoleon bowed the penitent out, ht remarked to his suite "He needs a lit tie more weight in his head. but hope to make something of him."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-17

Next Sunday: Napoleon. the Kingmaker, with eight thrones in the family
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1914-08-11
NOT EASILY DONE

"a bacteriologist says millions of
germs ride on crowded trolley cars
I'm not surprised to hear that. A
germ is about the only thing that
could ride on a crowded trolley car
with any degree Of comfort"