Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-02-16
CLARKsBURG, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY ils53

tremblingly approaching her father. was
about to speak, when he suddenly repul-
sed her" Be quiet, you varlet," cried
he you know that 1 speak truly
This traveller shall know of your obstina-
cy and folly, and then let him Judge if /
have not right SO to treat you. Yes, %
continued he, "she cast a good man, a
broad farm, and purse of TWO thousand
crowns at her feet,-and all for what 2
for beggar, pretty boy,-but 1 must
certainly say a brave one. You, per-
haps, young man, do not exactly agree
with me. Age and youth are never the
best companions; but, nevertheless. l feel
justified in condemning the silly fool there,
who is weeping and blushing for her
fault, and yet won't mind it. repeat,
she might have husband that would
keep her as comfortable as our good kings
queen. and yet she refuses to marry him,
and all for the love of a beggarly fellow,
contradict me if you dare-that beggarly
fellow, Bertrand Barasco, "a"
"Oh, husband" interrupted the good
dame, .tyou should remember that Min
ette and Bertrand have grown up from
childhood, in the feeling that they were
destined for each other, and that they had
your consent until Bertrand's father was
deceived and robbed by his rascally bro
| ther."
"What is all this go shouted the peas
ant, in voice that made the cottage
ring-"What is all this ? do you dare to
dictate to me <? Am not the best judge
OF my own family matters ? Hold your
tongue, woman, plead not another word
for that obstinate wretch there, or shall
send you both to the protection, of your
favorite and beggar, Bertrand"
| The dame made no reply, and Ninette
endeavored to restrain her tears while
Henry inwardly resolved that she should
shed no more on account of the poverty
of her lover. +" My good friend" said he
to the father in a low whisper, "your
daughter is so beautiful and virtuous that
1 wonder you can deny her aught. If
she be as good as she is lovely, she is fit
ted to adorn throne"
"Why. as to that" said the peasant.
"I am of your opinion, and between our
selves, 1 should like that our Henry
should cast his eyes upon her"
Wherefore, my friend % asked the
king.
Wherefore ? Why where have you
lived to be stranger to the country.
much less to the court, since you have yet
to learn that Henry is devil among the
petticoats.'' --
81 am sorry to hear such character
of him. He is bad fellow then ?" an
swered the king.
ga bad fellow ~ shouted the peasant,
'who dares tell me that he is bad fell
low? Is it you. you shabby rascal, that
dares, beneath my own roof, to call our
good king, the father of his people-God
bless him IA bad fellow Ibegin to
suspect you are one of the league, and If
l were only sure of it, hang me if you
should stop another moment in my dwell
ling no, nor in this world moment
longer"
" My good friend, did not mean to
imply that he was bad fellow, i: was
simply remark; and instead of being
of the league, have shed my blood for
the king, and would again do SO till the
last drop in my veins. Yet, you must al
low he has failings, like other people"
Z" Not one. tell you," answered the
peasant. Have care what you say
about him; no man shall eat of my bread,
nor drink of my cup, nor shelter his head
under my roof, that tells me that our
good King Henry has single fault or
failing"
Nay. nay. you are too petulent, my
good host" said Henry smiling. "Sure-
ly, if he is fond of the pretty girls, and
/ a married man, that is at least fault"
"Nothing of the kind" replied the
peasant, waxing still warmer. elf there
is fault in the matter, it lies with the
girls. They are as partial to him as he
is to them, and if he does frolic little at
night, he makes ample amends in the day
by making his people happy. God bless
him, again, 1 say, and guard him from
his foes. 1 only wish 1 had them all
as safe as 1 have you, my fine fellow,
curse me if wouldn't shoot every one
of them as dead as wolves, and l am a
pretty good marksman yet, although
years are beginning to crowd upon me
pretty fast"
The heart of Henry was moved by the
rough, but loyal attachment of the pea.
SAINT The evening meal was served, and
Henry, by his frank and open manner,
fast won upon the affections of his host
In the midst of it, a tall, handsome youth
entered the cottage. AT the sight of him,
the peasant started from his chair, and in
a voice of anger. cried, "What brings you
here 90
"To say farewell to Ninette. 1t is the
last time shall perhaps ever see her,
said the young man in voice sitting
with grief. Tomorrow l quit my ma
tive home, perhaps never again to behold
it."
In moment Ninette was in his arms
but her feelings overpowering her, she
was only prevented from falling, by