The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-10-31

King Williams men.
"I will ask him." she said going off
and leaving the door open.
We entered meanwhile and walked
into one of the rooms whicl, we saw TO
be empty. In a few moments she re-
turned, and began to tcll her story with
the downcast eyes which proved she had
been commissioned Ivy the father totela lie.
"Please, gentlemen, the master is
somewhat unwell, and would beg
you to excuse him. He is grieved to
be guilty of such lack of hospitality to
strangers, and hopes that at another
time"
She was not allowed to finish the
sentence.
"Meine schones Madchen," said IIeide,
''this is all very well, but we must see
your master all the same, and quickly"
"Lieber Gott!" cried the girl, ''you
would not disturb the holy father :"
Our corporal struck his foot TO the
ground
"G'rl, am Prussian officer tell
your master to come hither instantly !"
Five minutes afterwards the priest
came into the room. 1t WAS very
evident that no man was ever in better
health but in the midst of his o pal
pnbIe terror, he enlcavored to assume an
air of interesting weakness.
"Excnsc me. gentlemen" he said,
sinking into Il chair. "hut can scarcely
perform the duties of host in my present
state, however de,irous | should be of
entertaining King Williams brave SOL
dicrs. Your army, gentlemen, has
proved victorious; you have won as you
deserved to have won. We, we are
beaten, but still the consciousness that
our fate was the result Of. not of bad
management Or lack of bravery on our
side, but of the invincible ar,lnr and
energy of northern blood. Gentlemen,
you will not thing me falterer when
say
"Ccrtainly not said lIcidc, ''we
admire your trankncsS and thank you for
these two high compliments, but unfor-
tunately, the times harden men, and we
are come on an awkward business.
Here is reqnisitiOn paper for ten bottles
of wine
"What!" cried the priest, in dismay.
tcn bottles OF wine are something to a
poor bohemian priest.) you would not
rob me p
"Sir," said IIeille severely, "robbery
ia not word TO be uttered to PrusSian
officer"
81 beg your pardon, lieher Herr, but
| if | cannot obey this order"
81 hen we shall be compelled to take
the value of the wine IN the vauables of
your house. This clock, perceive, is
of Genocse manufacture, and should
think these glasses are of Bohemian make.
Our corporal staggered across the
room and began to examine the ornaments
Of the mantle piece. The priest at once
sprung 10 his feet and followed him.
"No, no, sir, pray do not touch these.
will rather bring you the wine. e OF
as am. And is this paper sufficient
guarantee :"
"Qntc," said Iieijc.
"l'ut do they not give you receipt
with which one may demand repayment
at the end of the war p
THAT is receipt"
''No other paper! Would you min,
giving me anorbcr receipt, saying tha
you, II pru-sian officer, have received tn,
wine ?"
"WilllngIy"
llcide sat down at table, and begar
preparing the dorument.
"Olner will do, | presume :" said tn
priest, gently.
"Whal !" cried IIcidc, ''give Orner t,
a Prussian officer J"
"Adelesberaer, then p
"Nevcr. The best claret in yonr Gel
lar we must havc-wc are entitled to il
In default, we sclzc champagne, where i
i, TO b. found.
With an aspect of utter meIanchol
the priest passed from the room; an
ileide, turning from the contemplation @
the G"noese clock, betrayed his satlsfac
ton 10y an unhnly wink. Several min
utes elapsed. Was the priest engaged i
, losing the key to his wine cloeetl
| "No good will come of this" sal
/ Schwartz rn~tern dulefully.
, That depends on the quality of til
t winr," said llride bravely. ''It he give
r us ~. Julien, snail he satisfied. Ii h
gives US Chatcru Margaux shall h
l proud. But if he gives Us some of hi
. sweet Bohemian wines, shall smash til
r mirror"
Presently the girl came in with an ol
basket in her hand.
"Ilere is the vine, gentlemen and tn
father commends himself to you, and tel
r you will excuse his retiring, us the vi-
has been'a severe trial TO the poor MAJ
s lie hopes you will have good journey.
1 "We thank him." said the corpora
with cold magnilicence, shut we mn
k first prove whether the wine is such I
/. my brother officers may drink"
He directed her to bring him corl
e screw, and then he handed out to each
4 hall tumbler of the rich red wine, whic
@ WAS indeed very excellent.
e "Commend us 10 your masters goc
graces," said he; "say that the VIII
= will CRAFTY the brave officers of whom
II A =.