The Shasta courier., 1866-09-01
COURIER.
A Legend of Pro, ence.
From Chambers Edinburr Journal.

From Chambers Edinburg Journal
II am yet IL king!' exclaimed Francis
| the First, vaulting into his saddle after the
disastrous battle of Pava had consigned him
to years captivity, whose last month had
more gall than honey, through his marriage
with the Dowager Queen of Portugal. sister
to his imperial and emperious captor Charles
the Fifth. From the Iser to the Rhone
| whispers had crept forth that he returned te
| France a crest fallen man, who afferehafine ne
his proud spirit in bondage. had no means
of breaking his chains. but by accepting Il
bride for whom he had small regard
However this NAV have been. he rode
| through Provence. where his subjects receiv
ed him with every demonstration of joy
| although as he approached their gray old
towns, he thought their giant gates looked
down upon him with derision lie was won,
to rally, and set spurs to his steed. and leave
his retinue far behind but on one occasion
| the townsmen, who had timely apprisal OF
| his route. met him outside their walls. and
he could do no less than rein up. and bow
| from his stirrups, which he courteously did
to the admiration of all who beheld him
for he who could wres:le with Henry the
Eighth and throw him in lu>ty falls, was no
more deficient in grace than in strength
They besought him to honor their tilt yard
with his presence, where, in festvi'y of
mimic fight, they might celebrate his en-
franchise from the prison of Madrid.
q By our faithi good liegemen ~ quoth his
Majesty, 1--WE have had such hard knocks
on the battlefield that we are none in love of
the shadows of tourney" And he waved
his hand by way of adieu, when his horse
started at an old CASTELAR, whose hair was
II ...l
daughter incomparably fair.
Never had Francis seen beauty so rare.
and so modest witha. She bore a massive
salver on which lay bunch of rusty keys,
and with downcast looks she said
. My Lord will please to accept the KEYS
of this brave old town." and she held them
towards him with such gracefulness. that in
amaze he stopped from his saddle, stroked
her dark tressps with his mailed hand and
inquired who she WAS.
My name. my lord, is Ellen. and this is
my father. Peter Ingleverre. said she.
And your age, sweet damsel?' he ask.
ed.
Sixteen last Candemas," reioned the
little maid, who locke! a perfect woma.,. so
innocent and yet $" heroic. as she ventured
to raise her head. that the King forgot his
disasters Of war in suddenly inspired love
and while he INDUCED in ii pleasure he could
i'll conceal, between their hands the KEYS iell
to the ground. This gave him pretext to
aIighi; and surrendering the bride to
courtier. he graciou.lv received her father,
and between him and her, walked into the
town.
Bv this time the sun was on the wane.
and Peter, ho was Governor. besougEt his
Majesty to sojourn for the night. and he
would soon have fifty prime cooks to prepare
the royal feast.
To this Francis, who nothing more desired
than an invitation. consented and he ac.
companied Ellen home to her fathers house,
and where. some time after. band of train
ed vinlars arrived to commemorate with songs
the happy visit.
Ellen entertained the King with artless
talk so interspersed with sense. that her con-
quest over her suitor became complete And
when placed by her side at dinner, he forgot
venison and pastry; and beakers of wine
for thodgh so many other ladies' shared the
honor OF his presence, to none were his at
tentions so rehnedly pointed as to the daugh-
ter ot his venerable host. Perhaps some en-
We'd her the distinction, of which she appear.
ed unconscious-and some of the envyers
were surprised to see her retire from the hall.
observing MS she passed, that this was a
feint to draw the King more deeply in her
tolls.
Ellen merely said she had arrangements to
make for the morrow.
" And why not for to night. cousin ?''-
asked the king. who when the wine bowls
had passed more than once. had followed her
from the table. and discovered her reading in
a little orat"ry alone. - And why not to
night. fair Ellen?' reiterated h.. suasi,ely
Withdrawing the book from her hand. She
did not reply, while he tossed over the
Illuminated leaves, where pictured saints
seemed to frown upon him chidingiy. he
silence evidently Disconnected him. but he
evaded his chagrin in smiles.
We come, charming cousin, to breath
unalterabe fidelity in thy ear" said he.
What's charmed portal, my lord p
said she interrupting him, and drawing
back
We swear by thy mild blue eyes that
none whom Francis ever loved shall be so
beloved as Ellen" said he.
= Ny Lord" said she. " I've heard of holy
books bursting their clasps when PICTURED
mouths came nigh. Beware of rulbing my
poor eyes of modesty, their own clasping-
seal. Towards me, warn you, practice
neither falsehood nor Inconsistency
" BY our knighthood. we shall be true to
thee, girl. till our heart hath no throb for
any living creature"
" VIII you love me till my hair be gray ?"
Enchantress we shall love thee, vert
thou withered crune from which hideous
ness itself might recoil." cried be SO aHec
tlonaiely that she paused.
:" And for what am so vastly inestima-
bic? said she, hesitatingly. 1t cannot be
my tresses.-a few clips of the shears, and
farewell my pride in ringlets to the winds.
1t may not be my brow, for care shall soon
furrow it. and hlanch my cheek, which
now seems bloomingly. Care, too. shall
m"Ee peak my chin, and charms, if l have
any. be most perisbable"
Lady. we love thee more for thy good
sense than for thy beauty" said he; and in
stepping closer towards her his SPUR struck
the door. which closed with spring. He
rubbed his hands toget or, and expressed
delight ut an accident which created in her
c"n>iderable 'repidation, that soon subs.
ded into a calm