A REMARKABLE STORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2549, 10 November 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A REMARKABLE STORY.

The Paris correeponpent of the Chicago Tribune ia responsible for the following tale :—When the Emperor Napoleon 111. was writing his •' Life of Coasar," 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 Csesar of these later years." Iβ 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 aftersome conversation asked him if he was married. " No, sire. ,1 " 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 proKented himself at the palace and was admitted to the Emperor's presence. The Emperor was in street: dress, and at once put on n large cloak and a hat 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 jrround.i in a retired part of the city. "My dear Marin," said the Emperor, "allow me to present Mr , who comes ns a suitor for your hand." Then he left the room. The poet did not repent his bargain. He fouud the lady ready to accept his wooing , , and knowiug- that the Imperial favour depended upon his deuretion, he did not seek to learn her past history. They were quietly married a few week* later, the bride's dowry beinsr SOO.OOOdoIs. The poet was never again invited to the Tuileries, however, nor did ho 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 until ,hia 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 Fleury, "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."