Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-08-10
MISCELLANY,


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M / S @ Ell L A N Y.
From BlacE,ooods Magazine.
A WOman's Perversity.
The following beautiful story has been publish
ed in different forms, but in none so good as the
original -
Sir Hugo had reached his fftieth year unmo
Tested by passion, save an ardent one for flow
ing goblet. Instead oflove passages, his delight
was in tournaments whence be always returned
victorious. At length he was flung from the
saddle of his indifference by the beardless tiltel
love! He saw Angelica-the fairest maiden o.
the laud-forgot his gray hairs, and, unmindfu
of the ircongruity of o union between May and
December, led her to the nuptial altar. Fortu
nately, Angelica was as modest as she was fair,
and her firm virtue repulsed the numerous but
terflies that swarmed around the opening flow
ers of her beauty Sir Hugo knew the tried yir.
tue of his oonsort, aad therefore she was to him
dear and precious as The apple of his eye.
One morning he rode to pay visit to neigh
boring baron il arms, his honest squire Conrade
trotting after him. Scarcely had they proceed
ed half way when the knight suddenly stopped,
and cried
"Come here, Conrade; most tormenting
thought has just occurred to me. This is the
very day that Father Nicholas comes to the cas-,
tie to say mass for my dear wife and myself, and
am not inclined to have him in my abode du-
ribg my absence; so galop back, and desire
your lady, in my name, not TO admit the priest
Conrade paused and shook his head as if in
doubt, and replied, 'Excuse me, my noble sir
but perhaps the lady Angelica, if left to her own
discretion, will do what you wish"
''A curse on your perhaps!" exclaimed the
knight; u make all sure by giving the order .
''Do You think so?" replied the squire; "now
|, in my simplicity, believe exactly the contrary
Take the advice of your faithful servant for once
in your life; let things take their course, and
give no order upon so delicate point"
grily; ''what absurd fanoies you have got into
your head to day Do you think an hours ride
o task so very tediouss"
s'Oh if it comes to that, sir" rejoiDed Con-
rade, 81 have no more to say" San
He put spurs to his horse, and rode back to
the castle. -
Angelica saw him galloping up, and cried in
terror from the window, "What has brought you
ed to my Lord I"
"None whatever, gracious lady" answered
Conrade; "but the noble knight was apprehen'
sive that some accident might happen you If by
any chance you took a fancy to ride Sultan"
81 ride-ride the large greyhound !" exolaim-
ed Angelica in utter astonishment. VI believe
you are drunk or mad 1t is impossible that your
master can have sent us so ridiculous message.
AYE, but he did though" pursued the squire
sand my noble master said at the same time
that be knew Snltan would bite terribly, not be
ing accustomed to be made pony of; and M
therefore begs that you will not attempt to di
vert Yourself in that way" Having said this
he again mounted his horse and galloped off tt
rejoin his master.
sam | awake, or do I dream2" calculated
Angelica. "The folly of Sir Hugo is so strange
that am almost tempted to believe 1T all q wilt
dream. What does he meana 1t is not enough
that have hitherto tried to read his every viii
and wish, aud, when known, obeyed them im
plcitly; and do deserve that be should stretct
his power so far, and play the caprcious, naughty
tyrant? Now | see that to be too submissive
too softly compliant, is not the way to treat him
the worm that crawls in the dust is trampled up
on. But no, Sir knight, it is not gone quite 81
far with US yet; in spite of you, will ride Sui
tan; and you may thank yourself, as but TO-
your message, Sucn tnouSht Wouiu ue'Si ho'
entered my head"
Her solloquy was here interrupted by the en-
trance of servant, who informed her tina
Father Nicholas had arrived, and was in the an
techamber.
81 cannot receive his visit to-day" said tht
consort of Sir Hugo, "for my lord is absent
Give this as my excuse to the reverend father
and beg of him to return tomorrow"
oil 1ra 20 Eofb Nicholas
continued she, when left to herself, "he shal
not spoil my pleasant ride. Now if my pony
were but here He must have an easy gait, anc
his teeth do not tear he is as quiet as lamb
Oh! how shall delight in this two-foid pleas
ure of showing the surly old fellow that l care
neither for him nor his orders, and of trying
pastime that is at least novel one."
Through every corner of the house resounded
now her cry of Satan" ''Here, boy, Sultan
Sultan!"
The immense but docile animal sprang from q
bone upon which hes feasting, and was at
her side in aninstahd0 Caressing till she got
him into room, the door of WI e|s shut.
''Now, friend sdkan," cried his mistress
.'no growl, no bite, and all is safss With hel
snow white hands she continued stroking and
patting his huge back for some minutes, and then
in the hope that, if only through gratitude, he
would comply with her fancy, she mounted hel
new steed. lie showed his teeth little, in
some doubt what all that meant, but she soothed
him again into good humor and patient endu'
rance OF the novel burthen; but he thought TINS
quite enough, and did not stir from the one spot
Angelica was naturally not much pleased with
being thus stationary she therefore gently goad
cd him with her leg, but no trot would Sultar
eondescend--he remained motioness as before
while something very like growl escaped from
hisimmense aud fear-inspiring jaws. Oatof pa
tience, she now exclaimed
"You shall feel the spur, then, you lazy brute,
and drove her heel into his side. He now growl
ed audibly, but stirring not an inch, she repeated
her blow. This was too much for canine pa
tience; he made spring, and as she fell tul
length upon the floor, he turned and bit he
hand. The dismoulted rider bedewed the aoo
with her Tears. and then sprang ND 10 turn ont Q