A Remarkable Story.

Evening Star, Issue 7752, 25 October 1888, Page 3

A Remarkable Story.

The Paris correspondent of the ' Chicago Tribune' is responsible for the following tale:—When the Emperor Napoleon 111. was writiDg his 'Life of Crcsar,' 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 later years." In return the Emperor sent him a splendid diamond ring and an invitation to call at the Tuileries. Wheu the poet came 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 hand some dowry, if you met such a one who was willing to have you ?" " Yes, sire; I should only be too happy." " Well, then, come here to-morrow night at ten; 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 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 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 your hand. Then ho left the room. The poet did not repent his bargain. He found the lady ready to accept hia wooing, and knowing that the Imperial favor depended upon his discretion, he did not seek tt learn her past history." They were quietly married a few weeks later, the bride's dowry being 500,000d01. The poet was never again invited to the Tuileries, however, nor did he ever again havo 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 his death, which occurred six or seven years ago. His widow then returnedto Paris, and became the wife of a Russian nobleman. On the occasion of the poetdiplomat'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.