Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-02-16
THE PEASANT AND PRINCE; Or.
The Cottager.s Sunrise.


One evening, in the year fifteen hundred
and ninety, as Henry the Fourth of
France, with few followers was pursu-
ing his journey on foot to Ivry, storm
suddenly enveloped the heavens in impe-
netrable darkness. Anxious to escape
from its fury. he pushed forward with
such speed, that he not only outstripped
his companions, but found himself in the
mazes of dense forest, from which he
knew not how to emerge. In this state
of uncertainty, he was on the point of
stretching himself upon the damp sward,
and leisurelv awaiting the dawn of NOR
ming. when luckily a faint light penetra-
ted the gloom, and following its ray, he
at length stood before plain but comfor-
table dwelling.
Knocking loudly for admittance. the
door was opened by hale and rough
looking peasant, who regarded him at so
unreasonable an hour with not the most
friendly feelings. Nothing abashed,
however, Henry informed him that he
had missed his way, and requested shell
ter and hospitality for the night.
How am to believe you are an ho-
nest man in these dangerous times 2"
growled the peasant, t'a good jerkin is of
ten but mask for roguery."
"Nay, nay" interrupted the wife, who
at this moment appeared at the side of
her husband, "this young mans counte-
nance is a guarantee for the honesty of
his character"
"Be quiet, Margaret, grumbled the
peasant. '.a simple fool like thee believes
all is gold that plitterS"
At all events she is right in the pre-
sent instance" replied Henry, with one
of those sweet smiles illuminating his
countenance, which was ever q passport
to the hearts of his friends or enemies.
tager, II claim to be the best judge, al
though if you were to give yourself a bad
character I should consider you to be
both knave and fool. However, as the
storm is promising rough visit, enter,
and welcome"
Henry thanked his surly host, and, en-
tering the cottage, was about to seat him
self beside a huge log fire that blazed
and cracked right merrily in the wide
and blackened chimney but the peasant
pushing him roughly aside said, Z" BY
Saint Dennis, thou wilt not fail for lack
of modesty. 1t is a pretty affair, in
troth, to see pert young fellow like thee,
come to the freside of an honest man to
be taught the respect due him in his own
house."
Forgive me, my worthy host" an
swered Henry, "I was in error, and now
that have made the apology, let me
have something to stay the cravings ot
my appetite, which the darkness and ira
vel have so keenly sharpened.''
"By and by, Mr.. Modesty," said the
peasant; you must surely have been al
court in your time, you are so free and
easy of speech, but my supper time is
not yet arrived, and 1 would not spread
my board before my accustomed hour to
crafty even his most gracious Majesty,
our good King Henry"
At this moment beautiful young girl
bounded into the room, and gracefully
making her obeisance to the stranger
| placed herself by the side of the hostess
Henry, after regarding her for few
moments with pleasure, ventured tc
say, Is this fair creature your daugh
ter ?"
ITO be sure she is, and what is tha
| 10 you muIlCASu ShS AoSHSAJ oh0
perverse and foolish mink she is Sh,
would have been at rest ere this, but low
plays the devil with her. She nigh
have been the wife, too, of good ant
honest farmer, but, forsooth, because h
was only some fifteen years her elder
she sent him to the right about, AM
chose to give her hand to a beggar."
| The pretty Ninette blushed deeply, AM