Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847Various
General
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
Judge if he failed in his appointment; judge if he was not surprised
beyond all measure of astonishment, when the minister politely asked him
whether he would accept so trifling a post as that of Commissaire-général
of Police of the Isle of Elba, with we know not how many hundreds of
francs per annum, with half-a-year's salary in advance, and all travelling
expenses paid. The little condition was added that he must quit Paris
directly, for the post had been too long vacant, and there were reasons
which demanded his immediate presence at Elba. How he contrived to accept
with any gravity, without a broad grin upon his face, can never be known.
He would certainly have bounded to the ceiling; but by good fortune, or
happy instinct, he had convulsively clasped his chair with both hands, and
so anchored himself to the ground.
Off he started the very next day, happier than Sancho Panza, to the
government of his island; for his post virtually constituted him the
governor of Elba. Nor was the stream of his good fortune half exhausted.
For immediately on his arrival he was appealed to for a decision, between
two rich and rival capitalists, both desirous of undertaking to work
certain mines lately discovered in the island. One offered him a large
share in the future profits; the other a large sum of ready money. Our
governor decided for the ready money.
When a gallant man renders a service, he does not run and proclaim it
immediately. Fouché allowed a few days to transpire before he waited on
Pauline. He then alluded to the appointment he had made; he hoped she was
content with the manner in which he had provided for her client, Dubois.
"Dubois! Dubois!" said the lady, "I know of no Dubois."
The whole affair had entirely escaped her memory. Fouché assisted in
recalling it.
"Oh, true!" she said, "the brother of my chambermaid; well, did you give
him any little employment? What did you make of him?"
Fouché saw his error, bit his lips, and let the subject pass.
That very evening a messenger was despatched to recall Dubois--and home he
came; but "with money in both pockets"--a little capital of solid francs.
Poet as he was, the man had sense; he did not spend, but invested it, and
the revenue enabled him to assume the life and bearing of a gentleman. We
leave him prospering, and to prosper.
It is said, that Fouché did all he could to keep this story secret. But
Pauline discovered the truth, and was malicious enough to disclose it to
Napoleon, who more than once jested his minister on his governor of Elba.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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