Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-10-21

There was the MacMahon affair
which was not without interest, and tc
which, moreover, those miserable
journals never really obtained clue.
caught eagerly at this name of the
great marshal, whose sudden and un
explained resignation of the French
presidency had formed one of the
most startling episodes of modern
history.
rs it possible that you are in posi-
tion to throw light on the events
which brought about the fall Of this
presidents ventured to exclaim.
1T is precisely that of which I was
about to speak, he answered. but
il is my duty to warn you that this
story is one of great delicacy, involv
ing the honor of a lady-one for
whom ! cherish peculiar esteem. 1t
will, therefore be necessary for you to
promise me beforehand that you will
not allow yourself to entertain any
ideas regarding the conduct Of this
lady which are not consistent with
the most scrupulous respect"
But, M. IAmbassadeur! I was
beginltng, when he stopped me with
a gesture.
1t i enough ! know we'll that you
dc not possess the gross mind of your
countrymen. One more stipulation:
did not receive the particulars of this
strange affair from the duke of Mag
enta, but from a person who is still
alive, and whose name must, there,
fore, not be mentioned between US.
Swear that you will respect my re-
serve on this point also!'
renewed my assurances, with in.
creased warmth.
The duke of Magenta, as you know,
without doubt, was an lrishman by
descent, and was not free from the
impulsive temper of his truly gener-
Gus countrymen, who have always
been so much esteemed by France.
He was at the same time a sincere
patriot; and in spite of the fact that
he owed his marshal's baton and his
dukedom to the third Napoleon, he
remained faithful to the republic or
the fourth of September. History will
recognize this when the death of liv-
ing persons permits an explanation OF
the remarkable circumstances which
brought about his fall, and which have
left SO melancholy shadow upon his
name.
Everyone who knows anything
about MacMahon is aware OF the
extreme fondness for flowers which
always distinguished him, and his
friends frequently sent him offerings
of flowers. 1t did not cause him sur
prise, therefore, on taking his seat at
the breakfast table one morning to-
wards the latter part of his term or
Office. to perceive on his plate a tiny
bouquet of lilies These exquisite
flowers had evidently been chosen with
great care, and they were arranged
with an elegance in which the presl-
dent quickly OWNED the agency OF a
woman.
But when he came to look for the
card which usually accompanied such
tributes, he was disappointed to find
that the donor had chosen to remain
anonymous.
DISTRACTED by another matter which
claimed his attention, the president
laid aside the delicate offering after a
few moments, and dismissed the incl
dent from his mind.
But on the following morning, at
the same hour he was at once aston
ished and charmed to find second
bouquet, similar in all respects to
that of the day before This time the
marshal, piqued by the mystery, made
inquiries among his servants.
AT first no one semed able or will
ing to furnish any information; but on
the president becoming insistent, a
favorite page at length confessed that
he had been bribed to place the toW-
ers on his masters plate, without dis
closing the source from which they
were received.
THE marshal was now thoroughly
interested. He questioned the page
further, and in the end the lad be-
trayed the fact that he had received
the two bouquets from lady who
had contrived to intercept him each
morning in the Champs Elysees. The
lady, it appeared, had been closely
yelled, but had nevertheless impressed
the boy with the idea that she was
both young and beautiful
NO more was needed to complete
the fascination of the old marshal
who retained to the end of his life
that ardent devotion to the fair sex
which is the distinguishing mark OF
a soldier and a Frenchman-a foible
of which | who speak to you have
also sometimes been accused, and oil
which | am not, perhaps, sufficiently
ashamed.
"MacMahon gave the page strict
orders to look out for the lady again
the next morning, in case she should
mean to repeat her delicate attention
"'Do not allow her to know ne
continued, that you have said any
thing to me, but be careful to tell hel
of the extreme pleasure with which
| have received her bouquets, and de
scribe the anxiety have displayed tt
learn the identity of my unknown
benefactor, for whom l already cher
ish the most tender sentiments in ad
vance"