A REMARKABLE STORY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1808, 27 October 1888, Page 1

A REMARKABLE STORY.

The Paris correspondent of the Chicago Tribune is responsible for the following tale:— When the Emperor Napoleon 111. was writing his" Life of Caesar," and was casting ambitious glances at a chair in the Academy, a poet, whose name shall be unknown «to fame,' wrote a few verses on the Emperor's work, referring to him as the " greatest Cassar of these years." In return the Emperor sent him a splendid diamond ring and an invitation to call at the Tuileries. When the pOet camo the Emperor received him affectionately, and after some conversation asked him if he was married.

" No, sire.'' " And why don't you get married ? See here. Would you marry a young lady, beautiful, of ardent disposition, and with a handsome dowry, if you met such an one who was willing to have you ?'■ " Yes, sire; I should only be too happy." " Well, then, come here to-morrow night at 10; I will present you to her." At the appointed time the poet again presented himself at the palace and was admitted to the Emperor's presence. The Emperor was in street dress, and at once put on a large cloak that concealed his identity, and led the poet to a side door. There they entered a coach, and were driven to a bijou villa that stood in the midst; of spacious grounds in a retired; part of the city. "My dear Maria," said the' Emperor, "allow me to present Mr -—~, who comes as a suitor for yburhand." Then he left the room. The noet did not repent his bargain. He found the lady ready to accept his wooing, and knowing that the Imperial favor depended upon his discretion, he did not seek to learn her past history. They were; quietly married a few weeks after, the bride's dowry being 500,000d015. The poet was never again invited to the Tuileries, however, nor did he ever again have a personal interview with the Emperor, but he soon received, to his surprise, an appointment in the diplomatic service in a distant part of the world. This he accepted, and went there to live, his wife, of course, accompanying him. His career there was a prosperous one, and he remained there till his death, which occurred six or seven years ago. His widow then returned to Paris, and became the wife of a Russian nobleman. On the occasion of the poet-diplomat's death, a remark was made by General Fleury, the confidential friend and business agent of the late Emperor. " He was a lucky chap," said Eleury, " to get such a wife ; and it was a hard bit of luck for the Emperor to have to pay such a price to get rid of so charming an encumbrance,"