The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-11
WASHINGTON,
A ROMANCE.---ROGE DUTTON; OR
THE TRUE PROPHECY.

Il
y g (BY g. r. n. JAMEs,)
.author Of "D@nlsy," :.sEichslieu, ,"'s1Ae Rob-
ber," s.Ma'y Of Burgundy" &c.
CHAPTER I.
| THE DANCING GIRL.
I'll lust see what is the matter, and fol-
low you in a minute," said Roger Dutton.
.eDo not fight duel for a dancing girl,
Roger,' whispered the young lady; and re-
plying laughingly, "No, no p he advanced
towards the crowd, while the rest Of the
party retrod their steps, and were soon seen
taking their way towards the castle.
The place to which Roger Dutton Of
Dutton now bent his steps, presented a
wider opening than any other part Of the
fair for the exercise OF that pushing and
pressing which is the peculiar characteristic
Of an English mob, especially where any
thing which excites public curiosity is to
be seen in the midst Of it. The two great
alleys Of the fair there crossed each other,
and the whole space in the middle was now
filled up with motley assembly, who
made but little way for the young lord,
though no man was better calculated to
clear path for himself, by dint Of broad
shoulders and strong arms. But there were
all manner things in the way--rotes, and
trumpets, and bagpipes, viols, swords,
slaves, bucklers, packages Of goods, hoods,
caps, trays, and boxes upon mems should
ers The commanding height Of the young
gentleman, however, enabled him, in some
degree, to see what was passing in the
midst; and he could evidently perceive that
some offence, either real or imaginary, had
taken place against the dignity Of the Pied
poudre Court, for two Of its officers were
to be seen very busily engaged in the mid
die of the crowd endeavoring to force along
an extremely pretty girl, about seventeen
years Of age, in spite Of the remonstrances,
tending almost to resistance, Of a number
of the minstrels of the fair, comprising all
ranks and classes of that honorable profess
sion. One of these officers was tall and
strong, the other fat and heavy, but both
seemed determined to keep possession Of
the girl, and drag her along to the place
where their court was sitting. The poor
girl herself was in tears; and her gay dress
bespoke her to be one of the wandering
class which seemed now so universally ca
ger in her defence. Among the most SIRE
nuous and vehement of these was young
man of very good mien, with small harp
on his shoulder, and Dutton heard him
more than once exclaim, ssShe is not
dancing girl, tell thee! Thou liest in thy
teeth, ribald she did but sing one song
along with me, and that not for hire, as
thou sayestp'
Seize him, too, Rouse seize him, too %
cried the fatest of the two officers, who
seemed choleric in proportion to his size.
ssHe called thee ribald; he insulted the re-
verend Piedpoudre Court; he ought to be
decapitated."
"What's that 7" cried voice from the
crowd; but the young harper continued to
repeat vehemently, without noticing the
wrath of either officer, "She is not dane
ing girl, tell thee"
Dutton could not help smiling, as he
heard the words, at being SO soon placed in
situation to exercise his chivalry in favor
of one bearing the name of sdancing girl;'
but he muttered very confidently to himself,
as he forced his way on, "Ne, no! WON'T
make the FOOLS words good by fighting
duel in her behalf, though must see how
the matter passes. By my fay, she is
pretty creature, and looks modest withal,"
He was just within two or three persons
of the constables, when the tall man, begin
ming to share the wrath Of his companion,
and finding that the poor girl held somewhat
back as they were enpeavoring to drag her
on, suddenly seized her with his other hand
also, and gave her tremendous shake,
crying, "Come along, minion! !"
This violence drew short cry of pain
from the girl, and at the same time caused
her high cap to fall of, and an immense
quantity Of beautiful shining brown hair
to fall far down over her neck and shoul-
ders.
An involuntary exclamation Of indigna-
tion burst from Roger Dutton's lips, and
seeing that he was interested, an old id-
der, who stood beside him, plucked him
by the sleeve, saying, "'Tis shame, sir
tits a shame! The old judge saw her at
the inn three days ago, and wants her for
his paramour. But she's good girl and
going to marry blithe Allan, the gentle
harper; though they say his father, who is
Of good blood, will not consent to his we'd
ding the miller's daughter"
" Methinks j have seen Allan before, if