The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-04

mon or women. What say you /! am
merchant, and want lad to assist me
in my traffic. SUPPOSE you are too
much gentleman to assist in such me-
chanical drudgery :"
"Fair sir" said the youth, aif your of.
fer be seriously matc--of which have
my d6ubts-I am bound to thank you
for il, and thank you. accordingly but
fear should be altogether unfit for
your service"
"Whst, warrant thou knowest better
how to draw the bow, than how TO draw a
bill OF charges,-canst handle broad
sword better than pen--ha 20
"f am, MASTER" answered Me young
Scot, ga BRAKEMAN, and therefore, as we
say bowman. But have 5cen in a
convent, where the good fathers taught
me to read and write, and even to cy.
phcr."
"PasqSes-diex! that is too magnificent"
said the merchant. Shy our lady of
EmbruD, thou art aprodigy. man -
"Rest you merry, fair MASTER" said
the youth, who was not much pleased
with his new acquaintance's POPULARITY,
81 must go dry myself, instead OF stand.
ing dripping here answering questions"
The merchant ONLY laughed louder as
he spoke, and answered, "Pasgues dieu
the proverb never fails-.fei comnie lin
Eeessois-bnt come, youngster, you are
of country I have a regard for, having
traded in Scotland in my time--an no,
mes, poor Set Of folks they are and. if
you will come with US to the village,
will bestow on you cup of burnt sack
and a warm breakfast, TO atone for your
drenching. But fete 6ieau 4! what do
YOU with hunting glove on your hand
Know you not there is no hawking per-
mitted III the royal chase :"
81 was taught that by a rascalIy fores-
ter of the duke of Burgundy. did but
fly the falcon I had brought with me
from Scotland, and that reckoned on
for bringing me into SOME note, at heron
near Peronne, and the rascaliy schelm
shot my bird with an arrow"
ssWhat did yon do" said the merchant.
t'Beat him." said the youngster, bran,
dishing his staff, tsas near to death as a
Christian man should beiabour another !;
TOR wanted not to have his blood to am
swer.s
"Know you, that had you fallen into
the duke of Bureundy's hands, he would
have hung you up like cbeenut 20
Gay, am told he is as prompt as the
king of France for that sort of work.
But, as this happened near Peronne, /
made a leap over the frontier and laugh-
ed at him. If he had not been so hss,y.
might, perhaps, have taken service
sith him."
she will have heavy miss of such
paladin as you are if the truce should |
break Off" said the merchant, and threw
q look at his companion, who answered |
him with one Of the downcast lowering
smiles, which CLEANED along his conn-
tenance, enliyening it as a passing me-
teor enlivens winter sky.
The young Scot suddenly stopped,
pulled his bonnet over his white eyebrow,
as one that would not be ridicuied, and
said firmly, "My masters, and especially
you, sir, the elder, and who should be
the wiser, you will find, I presume no
wise or safe jesting at my expense. do
not altogether like the tone ofyour con-
can take jest with any
man, and rebuke too, from my elder,
and say, thank you, sir, If 1 know it to
be deserved but do not like being
borne in hand as if | were child, when
God wot, | find myself man enough 10
belabour you both, if you provoke me
too far"
The eldest man seemed like to choke
with laughter at the lads demeanour--
his companions hand stole to his sword
hill, which the youth observing, dealt
him blow across the wrist, which made
him incapable of grasping il J.; while his
companions mitth as only increased by
the incident: siHold, hold" he cried,
most doughty Scotchman, even for thine
own dear country's sake and you, Cos.
sip, forbear your inenacing look. Pas
gaes-eieu! let US be just traders, and set
off the wheIliDg against the knock Oh the
wrist; which was gwen with so much
grace and alacrity. And bark ye, FRIEND"
he said to the voting man, with grave
sternness, which, in spite of all that the
youth could do, damped and overawed
him, ono more violence" 1 am no fiji
object foF it, and my gossip, as you may
see, has had enough of it. Let me
know your tian:c."
81 can answer civil question civiliy,"
said tile youth "and will pay fitting res
peci to your age; If you do not urge my
patience with mockery. since | have