The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-06-07
Sftftt o alf.
THE INN AT CRANSAC,
BY XSCHOKEE.

" i'-hI pllNt IL lilut DtlOIt us . Slltl
| to the position.
"Cransac, Mr.. Captain"
"Cransac? Can ! get comfortable
lodging over night there?"
fright easily. There is an excellent
inn. None better far and wide"
1t was a very agreeable piece of infor-
nation, for began to feel very tired.
1t is no trifie to be compelled to raise
half-recovered from n sick bed, and
make journey of several hundred
leagues. My regimentlay at Perpignan,
and | had come from Nantes. Some
thing of a journey! And from Per-
pignan there awaited mea pretty march
at the head ofmy company through the
cursed Catalonia, where already many
brave Frenchman had found his grave.
We entered a small village prettily
situated at the foot of II wooded hill.
We stopt before neat house. Thomas,
my servant, sprang down and assisted
me out of the carriage. The landlord,
a kindly man, conducted me into his
parlour, after he had given the ncccs-
sary directions to his people about my
baggage.
The room, which was large, neat and
cheerful, sWarmed with little girls.
Some We're seated at II table and some
under it, while Others We're gathered at
the window, and the smallest were
playing ON the floor. y young maiden
of about sixteen carried child of year
old in her arms, and was dancing round
with it amongst the rest. In the corner
ofthe room safe II young man who, lean
ing his head on his hand, appeared to
be sunk in thought, and to trouble
himself very little about the noise Of
the children, or the grace of the fair
dancer.
"IIush. hush !" cried the landlord
as he entered the room. "Annette, car
ry this wild troop out of doors . And,
Fanchon, do thou prepare Il room for
this gentleman, No. :. He will remain
over night"
In obedience to this command, Annet-
tc, Il lovely ImOrette of about fourteen,
led out the swarm of little ones. Fam
chon, dancer, with slight but graceful
bow of welcome to me danced up to the
thoughtful young man, and exclaimed:
"Ierc, Mr.. Philosopher, please to beso
kindas to amuse my little sister. hope
you will be gallant" With these words
10 al, 1l, " inf n
his lap. He did not appear pleased, but
he took the child.
"You are plentifully blessed, Mr..
Landlord" said |, and pointed to the
playing group of children: edo they all
belong to you:"
II should be very we'll satisfied ifthey
were all mine, just for the curiosity OF
the thing" said Herr Albret, so the
landlord was named: "but only about
one-half of them are mine. The other
half are their playmates, whohavecome
to celebrate the birthday of my third
child"
".And how many childred have you,
Mr.. Albret:"
"SiX girls, no more"
Heaven help Us all girls" six girls !!
"Heaven be praised, you should say,
Mr.. Captain. A father can desire nc
better fortune, if the girls are pretty
For something of their brightness is re-
aectcd upon him. All the world cares
: ses him, because all the world loves his
pretty maidens. have some experience
of that already, and Fanchon gains
much favour for me. When she isgone
folks will bow to me for -Annette's sake
And when Annette goes, then Juliettt
will take her place, and then-whoevel
comes next"
"Yet confess, Mr.. Albret, theprospect
is not very agreeable. BY and by, they
will have their husbands, and your
house will be desolatc."
81 see the case differently. | only pu
my capital out at interest, when glV'
away my daughters. Then | shall be
come n grandpapa, and the young folks
will bring their children to me. That'
n new pleasure in lile.'
"You know how to console yoursell
Mr.. Albret. But six fine boys, instead
of six girls, might well have made yo'
proud"" ,e.,,,, r,o u.;Id ohor
would have turned my hair gra!
before this time with their tricks an'