Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-05-05

4 groom, aud osiles who, | thought, looked ra,hs
surprised nj seeing me emerge from the diligence.
fou did not know | was there said |, with
knowing wink at ono Of them as I passed.
" 'assuIement non,' said the fellow with a laugh
that was the signal for all the others TO Join in il
is the table d'ho,e over1' said I. regardless of tn,
mirth around me. Monsieur is lust in tine sal,
the waiter, who happened to pass with a soup tn
reen in his hand. Have the goodness to step thu
way | had barely time n remark the close re-
semblanee OF the waiter to the fellow who presented
me with my brandy and cigar in the morning. wher
he ushered me into a large room with about fort,
persons sitting at a long table, evidently waiting
with Impotence for the 'Po,ase' to begin their din
ncr. Whether II was they enjoyed the joke o
having neglected to call me, or that they wer,
laughing at my travelling costume, | cannot say
but the moment | came in, | could perceive n gene
raj utter run through the assembly. Not too late,
after all, gentlemen said |, marching gravely up
TO the table.
"'Monsieur is in excellent timc,' said the host,
making room for me beside his chair. Notwith.
standing the incumbrancc OF my weishty habili-
ments, | proceeded to do ample Justice to the viands
before me, apologislns laughinsly to the host. by
pleading travellers appetite.
"'Then you have perhaps come far this NOR
ning,' said a gentleman opposite.
Yes said ], have been or the road since four
o'clock
land how are the roads!' said another. VERY
bad said |, the first few stages from LYONS. after
ward much better This was said at a venture. as
l beganio be ashamed Of being always asleep before
my ellow-travellers They did not seem, however,
to understand me perfectly; and one old fellow put
ting down his spectacles from his forehead, leaned
over aud said; And where, may | ask, has Mon
sicur come from this mornins1'
From Lyons said |, with the proud air OF a
man who has done a stout feat, and is not ashamed
OF the exploit.
"'From Lyons! y said one. From Lyons !, cried
From Lyons!' repeated n third.
.sNeSi said \. syhat tho l.r,I =, - -, "
is SO quick now a-days, one thinks moth
ING OF twenty leagues before dinner
"Ihe internal shout of laughing that followed my
explanation is still in my ears; from one end of the
table to the other there was one continued IN, Ia, Ia
from the greasy host TO the little huncheacked wal
they were all srinning away.
" And how did Monsieur travell' said the old
gentleman, who seemed 10 carry on the prosecution
against me.
"'By the diligence, the 'Aigle noir," said I, giving
he name with some pride, that | was not altoseth
cr ignorant of the conveyance.
"'Ihen you should certainly not complain Of thu
'oacs,' said the host ehucklIns; 'for the only Jour
that diligence has ma lie this day has been irom
he stree,-door to the inn-yard; Tor as they found
when the luggage was nearly packed that the axle
almost broken through, they wheeled i, around
10 the eSur, and prepared another for the travel
"tAnd where am | now,' said l..
"ln Lyons said twenty voices, half choked
with laughter at my question.
! was lhunderstruck at the news at first: but as
proceeded with my dinner, | joined in the mir,h of
The party, which certainly was not diminished on
telling them the object Of my intended Journey.
"I think, young man. said the old fellow with
the spectacles,' that you should take the occurrence
as a warning of Providence that marriage will not
you.' | began to be of the same opinion; but
then there was jointure. To be sure, | was to give
up tobacco; and perhaps ! should not I've as free To
ramble about as when en- garcon. So taking all
things into consideration, orde' ed in another bottle
of bersundY, to drink Mrs. RAMS hell,h