The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-07-24
The Inn of Rouelle.

Der, traveller, on horseback, stopped at
the door of an inn in the village of Rouene,
which adjoined the park of Malmatison.-
The hostess went out to receive him, and,
having given his horse to the stable boy,
he ordered dinner He was shown into the
best room in the house, and the busy host
ess set about preparing the repast. In a
few minutes another traveller, on horseback,
stopped at the inn, and also ordered dinner.
81 am sorry that cannot accommodate
you, sir, " said the hostess; s'but everything
we have In the house has been bespoken
by gentleman who arrived few minutes
before you"
''Go up stairs" said the traveller, 'and
tell your guest shall be obliged to him if
he will permit me to share his dinner, and
l will defray my portion of the expense"
The hostess delivered the message to the
first traveller, who politely replied: "Tell
the gentleman l shall be glad Of his compa-
ny, but thar + is ROT nay prectice to accept
payment from persons who dine with me. I"
The second traveller accordingly went up
stairs, and having expressed his acllnowl-
edgment for the kind reception he received,
they both sat down to the table.
The dinner was as cheerful as could be
expected, considering the short acquaintance
of the parties; but during the dessert, when
some excellent wine was placed before them,
the conversation became more unrestrained,
and the second traveller ventured to ask his
obliging Amphitryon what had brought him
to that part of the country, where he ap-
peared to be stranger.
81 have been ordered here" he replied,
''by the Cardinal"
''By the CARDINAL" resumed his compan-
ion, ''Pardon my curiosity, sir, if | inquire
whether you have given his Eminence any
ofence?"
''By no MEANS" replied the first traveller;
Sand it is only to free myself from any such
imputation that have come here. The
fact is, there has been published at Rochelle,
my native town, virulent satire upon
the public conduct and personal character Of
the Cardinal, several copies Of which have
been addressed to the King, and though l
never in my life wrote single word thar
has appeared in print, | am unjustly accus-
ed of being the author of this pamphlet.
Nothing obtains such ready belief as the
whisperings of folly and ill-nature; and |
have therefore lost no time in obeying the
summons of his Eminence, in the hope Of
effectually refuting the charge that is bro't
against me-
'sSir,'' said his companion, with an ex-
preston of marked anxiety, ''return thanks
to Providence for the fortunate accident that
introduced me to you to-day. | have also
been summoned hither by the Cardinal, for
no other purpose, | am convinced, than that
of beheading you."
A thrill Of horror passed thro' the frame
of the person to whom these words were
addressed.
Eyes, SIR" resumed the speaker, ''my
task would have been to behead you. |
am the executioner of neighboring town,
and whenever the Cardinal has secret act
of vengeance to perform, I receive orders to
repair to the castle. The particulars l have
just heard you relate together with your ap-
pointment here, all convince me, beyond a
doubt, that you are marked out as victim.
But fear nothing; Twill secure your escape.
Order your horse instantly, and 60 with me.
1 will acquit myself of the debt Of graft
tude which your courtesy has imposed up
on me-"
The horror and alarm of the poor travel
er may be more easily conceived than de-
scribed. He instantly ordered the horses
TO be saddled, and having paid the bill, he
and his companion set out, taking private
way through the woods of Bertrand.
''Do You see," said the guide, as they ap-
preached the castle, ''that grated window
which almost reaches the crannies Of the
central turret2 In that dungeon, sentences,