"VIVE L'EMPEREUR!"

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 141, 17 June 1933, Page 7

"VIVE L'EMPEREUR!"

Jacques de St. Cjroix was a young lad in the, Idme of the USirst Empire. There were three'ions, a! of whom had served the Emperor in the army. Jacques woull •llave willingly given his life for his bjlored ruler. One day, Napoleon -p-as prspjiring for a campaign in Itaty, for lie was to lead the expedition, wlien news was rumoured round the Conrt that the Emperor bad received a tfote warning him tint f£ he continued With his preparations he would not live to lead his expedition. As tho Empeijor laughed, so did the Court. Jacques, only was worried, and determined to vi atch everyone carefully lest harm shoa'id befall his beloved ruler. The lad had, just brought a note to the. Emperor, i.vhen suddenly he saw a man's hand appear from behind a brocade curtain, (a dagger gleaming in the clenched firig? rs. The boy a t once threw himself in front of Napoleon, and instead of the weapon pier? ing the heart of tho Emperor it stairjbed the brave lad. At,once tfiie room was in an uproar, and as Jacques fell, Napoleon caught him and laj id him gently on a cloak, which was- hurriedly spread on the floor. ' With his last breath, and with a smile of Jiappiness on his white face, Jacques «ried gaspingly "Vive l'Empereurl" Then the lad fell back lifeless. For a moment thero was silence, and ♦hen" the; Emperor, taking the Cross of the Xeg/.on of Honour off his own breast, ;J aid it on the boy's, and said rmtly: "He died that I might live. bave .'not many who would do so, and ■one m young." / "GLOAMING" (12). Citjj. ■ ■