Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-08-01

q krug'' was racy, the &c caHSstre" eAceiiehe:
SO, placing the light where ii should fall with
good effect on the HOibein, | stretched Out
nay legs 30 the blaze; and, as looked upon
the canvass, began to muse over the story Win
which it was associated, and, which may as
we'll lot down here for memory's sake.
Frank Holbein having more ambition and |
less industry than the rest of his family, re-
solved to seek his fortune; and early IN the |
September of the year 1851, ne found himseli
wandering in the streets of Paris, without |
lizard in his pocket, or any prospects OF earning
one He was fne-leoking handsome yeath, |
of some eighteen or twenty years, with sharp
piercing look, and that Spanish cast OF lace
for which so many Dutch families are remark
able. He sat down, weary and hungry, on one
of the benches OF the Point de la Cite, and
looked about him wistfully, to see what piece
of fortune might come to his succor. a LOUD
shout, and the noise of the people flying in
every direction, attracted him. He jumped
up. and saw persons running hither and thither
to escape from a caleche, which a pair of run
away horses were tearing along at frightfui
rate Frank blessed himself, threw off his
| cloak pressed his cap firmly upon his brow,
| and dashed forward. The affrighted animals
slackened their speed as he stood before them,
! and endeavored to pass by; but he sprang to
| their heads, and, with one vigorous plunge,
| grasped the bride; but though he held on
| manfully, they continued their way; and, not
| withstanding his every effort, their mad speed
| scarcely felt his weight, as he was dragged
| along beside them. With one tremendous
| effort however, he wrested the near horses
head from the pole, and thus compelling him
to cross his fore-legs, the animal trinnned, anu
| came headlong to the ground with a smash,
| that sent poor Frank spinning some twenty
yards before them. Frank soon got up again;
| and though his forehead was bleeding, and his
| hand severely cut, his greatest grief was his
| torn doublet, which, threadbare before, now
| hung around him in ribbons.
| 1t was you who stopped them are you
hurta'' said tall handsome man, plainly but
well dressed, and in whose face the trace of
! agitation clearly marked.
eyes, sir,'' said Frank, bowling respectfully.
90 did it, and see how my poor doublet has
| suffered -
.'Nothing worse than that ?'' said the other,
smiling blandly. Well, we'll, that is not of
so much moment. ssTake this said he, hand
| ing him his purse So buy yourself new doub-
let, and wait me tomorrow by eeven.''
| With these words the stranger disappeared
| in a caleche, which seemed to arrive at the
| moment, leaving Frank in state of wonder
ment at the whole adventure.
ss How droll he should never have told ME
lxrba ho 1ivac ba oil fha nv
standers crowded about him, and showered
| questions upon him.
ssI 1t is Monsieur le Ministre, MANN. de
Louvois himself, whose life you've saved
Your fortune is made for ever"
The speech was true one. Before three
months from that eventful day, NJ. de Louvois,
who had observed and noted down certain
traits of acuteness in Franks character, sent |
for him to his bureau.
ssRolbein,' said he, s' have seld ON been |
deceived in my opinion of men. You can be
secret, think ~
Frank placed his hand upon his breast, and
bowed in silence.
g Take the dress you will find on that chair; |
a carriage is ready waiting in the court
yard get into it, and set out for Bale. On
your arrival there, which will be-mark me
well-about eight O'Clock on the morning of
Thursday, you'll leave the carriage, and send
it into the town, while you must station your
self on the bridge over the Rhine, and take an
exact date Of everything that occurs, and ev-
cry one that passes, till the cathedral clock
strikes three. Then the caleche Will be in rea-
diness for your return and lose not moment
in repairing to Paris.''
1t was an hour beyond midnight, in the ear
ly part Of the following week, that caleche,
travel-stained and dirty, drove into the court
of the minister's hotel, and five minutes after,
Frank, wearied and exhausted, was ushered
into NJ. de Louvois presence.
ssWell, MONSIEUR said he impatiently,
Eswhat have you seen 70
g This, may it please your Exeellency,' said
Frank trembling, is note of it but 1 am
ashamed that so trivial an account
3. Let see--let see,'' said the minister.
&c In good truth, 1 dare scarcely venture to
| read such puerile detail.''
ssRead it at once, monsieur was the stern
command.
Franks face became deep-red with shame,
as he began thus
&c Nine o'clock,-I see an ass coming along,
with child leading him. The ass is blind of
one eye.-A fat German sits on the balcony,
and is splitting into the Rhine-.''
ssTen.-A lievely servant from Bale rides
by, with basket. An old peasant in yellow
doublet-''
'EAy, what Of him ?''