The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1915-06-18
BR|BED NAPOLEON
The Prize BarraS Offered to Have
Him Wed Josephine.
A STEPPING STONE TO FAME.


the Lure That Won the Ambitious
Young General to Court the Widow.
A Surprise For Notary Rsguideau.
Paul Jean Barras, the fiery French
revolutionist, who took leading part
In the overthrow of Robespierre in
1874, then became a member of the
committee of public safety and COM
mander in chief on the thirteenth Ven
demiaire, entering the Directory in 1898
and becoming dictator in 1897, was
the man who while head Of the gov
eminent induced Josephine Beauhar-
nais to become Bonaparte's wife. Both
of them were unwilling. Nine. Tallien
had apparently taken the affection of
Barris away from Josephine Bona
parte started like a war horse at the
sound of trumpet when Barras abb
ruptly proposed that he should offer
the widow his hand.
II want no wife save this" he ex-
claimed, striking his sword hilt.
'Listen to me-" said Barras. "You
are brave, but poor. This widow of
the Marquis de Beauharnais is in a
position to advance your future. You
are foreigner and an exile. Her in
1uential friends will serve you. Marry
her and procure you the command of
the army in Italy"
A flush passed over the face of Bona
parte.
"Decidep said Barras.
We all know the result. The bride
was too tempting, and Josephine yield
ed also. If her heart remained awhile
untouched her vanity was less passive.
AS she listened to the glowing prophe-
cies Of the ardent young soldier she
began to indulge the same visions and
glory in the same hopes.
She requested him to accompany her
to M. Raguideau. a lawyer in whom
she had long been accustomed to con-
tide. They went, and Bonaparte wait
ed In an anteroom while she talked
with Raguideau in his office. She neg
lected to close the door, and it happen
ed that Bonaparte was able to over
hear the conversation.
"If you are really going to marry this
ladventurer," said Raguideau, at will
be the worse for you"
"Oh. why7" asked Josephine.
"Why? A paltry general. without
either name or prospects. VIII he ever
become a Dumouriez OF a Pichegrui
Better marry a good rich army con-
tractor. The profession Of arms is
J worthless now. You will repent your
FOLLY all your ife. Whoever heard Of
a sensible woman throwing herself
away an a man whose fortune consists
in his sword and his great coatT'
Bonaparte was half suffoeSted with
rage and Impotence in listening to~cseis
He was on the1point of dashing into
the room. but fefrained. Josephine
came out ruffled ana annoyed, but it is
remarkable that neither of them said
word about the conversation right up
to the time when Napoleon was crown
ed emperor by the pope, in Paris.
On the morning of that day he sent
for Raguideau. The honest lawyer was
lost in amazement. He was ushered
into an apartment of the Tuileries and
found himself in the presence of Ma
poleon and Josephine.
"Ahap' said the emperor. "Do you
remember a day when ! accompanied
to your house Nine. de Beauharnais
now empress of the French2 Do you
remember your panegyric Of which
was the objectT"
A deluge of such questions stupehed
Raguideau, and Josephine was Devil
dered.
The poor fellow could hardly gasp
out a word. When he found speech II
was How could tell? How could
guess? | thought only of her and heI
fatherless children. / wanted to see
them restored to prosperity and honor
With that he burst into tears.
AZ believe you," said the emperor
Then he paused and added, 1.-THE flu
ture is beyond the grasp Of any living
man. Well, look here. have pun
ishment for you. / condemn sou to &c
this day to Notre Dame and witness
the coronation. Not in a corner, not
behind pillar. which will prevent my
knowing your obedience, but in the
best seat that can command for you"
From French Episodes" by Julia
Pardon