Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-08-10
95N NiSeellan&nmS,
THE RED HAT.

On the evening of dark and rainy day
in the month of December, l6-, solitary
horscman, wrapped in a large cloak, might
have been seen squirting his jaded steed
along the high-road leading from Ruel to-
ward the gloomy and antiquated chateau
then the residence Of the formidable prime
minister of Louis the Thirteenth, Armand
du Plessis, Cardinal and Duke Of Richelieu.
Remember, there was but one cavalier
Add another, and you might think | was
borrowing from the lamented G. P. K.
James.
This horseman drew bride and dismoun-
led at the door of an humble little village
inn, bearing on its sign-board the effigy OF
st Nicholas, and which stood at the en-
trance of gloomy avenue of poplars, at
the opposite extremity Of which was the
chateau, and to which it served as kind
Of lodge.
The horseman wore a felt-hat without
plume, band, OF buckle ; and his doublet of
brown drugget, destitute of either ribbons,
lace, or embroidery, was sufficient to indi-
cate, in an age when costume so closely de-
noted the gradations of rank, that he did
not belong to the patrician class still,
from his open and almost defiant counte-
nance and cavalierly turned up mustache,
II was not difficult to pronounce him one of
those sturdy and independent burgesses
whose fathers had fought in the wars of
the League, and who, temporarily kept in
subsection by the iron hand of Richelieu,
reappeared during the troubles of the Fronde,
but We're destined to be completely absorb
ed by the glory of the Grand Monarque.
HiS I,ran ,r,,aorad onpnrlo+al1y 11yorp ont
and the muddy state of his cloak testified
to his having come long distance by bad
roads, III an age when all roads were exc
cradle.
May the plague light on the rogues who
are bound to keep the kings highway in
repair " grumbled the traveller, as, tether-
ing his Steed to post, he entered the inn,
and proceeded to hammer with the butt
end of his whip upon long table of coarse
deal, which stood in the midst of a low
celed smoky cOmmon-room
fat man, of rotund abdomen and pur-
pied face, clad in the traditional white
apron and night-cap, and with knife stuck
III his glrdle, for he was cook as we'll as
host entered the room.
What might your lordship be pleased
10 want p he asked, pulling off his cap, ,and
making lowly reverence
am no lord, master of minc," replied
The traveller, twisting his moustache not
without complacency but plain bur-
CESS, who owes nothing, and asks for moth
ing without he can pay for it. l am hun
sered and athirst Give me some supper ;
make up blazing fire see to my horse F.;
and promise you that you shall have no
reason to complain of me-"
As he spoke the traveller struck his
pocket, which gave forth metallic chink
pleasant to hear
The purple face of the inn-keeper became
one grin.
We have not one room unOccupied," he
sad but my own private bedroom is at
your service. My wife shall make up a
ped directly. And for the rest, you have
uo' 10 wait few minutes, and all your
wishes shall be attended to-"
Nine host was as good as his word Ere
.ole The traveller was comfortably stretch
GU oi IN huge armchair, toasting his feet at
oiazlng fire, tc which a couple of logs had
oe oeen added He could see through the
T:Ilnt ETasel1ent that snow was beginning to fall
55licSSIy he could hear the wintry wind
'eiully bowling soft warm odor from