The Shasta courier., 1858-08-21
A Woman's Perversity.

The following beautiful story has been pub
1ished in different forms, but in none so good as
the original
Sir Hugo had reached his fftieth year unmo-
lested by passion, save an ardent one for how-
ing goblet Instead ofloye passages his delight
was in tournaments whence he always returned
victorious. At length he was flung from the
saddle of his indifference by the beardless tilter,
Lovel He saw ALgeica-the fairest maiden of
the land-forgot his grey hairs and, unmindful
of the incongruity of union between May and
December led her to. the nuptial altar Fortu-
natey, Angelica was as modest as she was fair
and her firm virtue repulsed the numerous but
terfes that swarmed round the opening flowers
of her beauty. Sir Hugo knew the tried virtue
Of his consort, and therefore she was to him dear
and precious the apple of his eye.
One morning he rode to pay a visit to a neigh
boring baron in arms, his honest squire Conrade
trottng 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
castle to say mass for my dear wife and myself,
and am not at all inclined to have him in my
abode during my absence; so gallop 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, noble sir but
perhaps the lady Angelica, if left to her own
discretion, will do what you wish.'
curse on your perhaps !" exclaimed the
knight; make all sure by giving the order"
"Do you think so 2" replied the squire
now, in my simplicity believe exactly the
contrary. Take the advice of your faithful SER
want for once in your life let things take their
course, and give no orders upon so delicate a
point"
IA fig for your deiicacy /" cried Sir Hugo.
angrily; what absurd fancies you have got
into your head to-day Do you think an hours
ride a task so very tedious?"
"Oh, ifi comes to that, sir" replied Conrade,
"I have no more to say"
He put spurs to his horse and rode back to
the castle.
Angelica saw him galloping up, and cried in
terror, from the window, I" What has brought
you back in such haste? Has any accident
happened to my lord ?"
"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 fancy to ride Sultan"
"l ride-ride the large greyhound p ex-
claimed Angelica in utter astouishment "I
believe you are drunk or mad. 1t is impossible
that your master can have sent US so ridiculous
amessage."
"Aye, but he did though pursued the squire;
land my noble master said at the same time,
that he knew Sultan would bite terribly, not
being accustomed to be made pony of; and he
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 to
rejoin his MASTER
"AmHI awake, or do dream?n calculated
Angelica. "The folly of Sir Hugo is so strange,
that am almost tempted to believe it all wild
dream. What does he mean? Is it not enough
that have hitherto tried to read his every will
and wish, and, when known, obeyed them i'm
plictly and do deserve that he should stretch
his power so far, and play the capricous,
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 upon But no. Sir Knight, it is not
gone quite so far with us ye. in spite of you,
will ride Sultan; and you may thank yourself,
as but for your message such thing would
never have entered my head"
Her soliloquy was here interrupted by the en-
srance of servant, who informed her that Fa-
ther Nicholas had arrived, and was in the ante
chamber. cannot receive his visit to day"
said the 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
With all due respect to Father Nicholas con-
tinued she, when left to herself :. he shall not
spoil my pleasant ride Now, if my pony were
but here. He must have an easy gait, and his
teeth do not fear he is as quiet as a lamb
oh how shall delight in this two-fold pleas
ure of showing the surly old fellow that care
neither for him nor his or,lers, and of trying a
pastime that is at least a novel one r. Through
every corner of the house resounded now her
cry Of " "Sultan" " Here, boyi Sultanl Sui
mnr'
The immense but docile animal sprang from
n bone upon which he was feastug, and was at
her side in an instant. Caressing him till she
got him into - yoom, the door of which she
shut:
"Now, friend Sultan" cried his fair mistress,
"no growl, no bite, and all is safe With her
snow-whte hand she continued stroking and
patting has huge back for SOME minutes, and
then, in the hope that, if only through gratitude,
he would comply with her fancy, she mounted
her steed. lie showed his teetl, little, in
some doubt what all that meant but she soothed
him again into good humor and patient en-
durance of the novel burthen but he thought
this quite enough and did not stir from the one
spot. Angelica naturally not much pleased
with being thus stationery she therefore gently
goaded him. with her leg, but no trot would
Sultan condescend-he remained motionless rs
Before while something very like growl es-
capped from his immense and fear-inspiring jaws.
Out of all patience, she now exclaimed
You shall feel the spur, then, you lazy
brute and drove her heel into his side He
now growled audibly, but stirred not inch
she repeated her blow. This was too much for
canine patience; he made a spring. and as she
fell full length upon the floor, he turned and bit
her hand. The dismounted rider bedewed the
floor with few tears, and then sprang up to
turn out Of the room the uncourteous brute who
had thus rudely shown how little be understood
play.
Towards evening Sir Hugo returned and in
quired with suspicious haste whether Father
Nicholas had been there.