Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-02-07
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Curious .Anecdotr.

| ION gloomy DAY IN Cle mOuJn Oh NO
vember traveller on horseback stopped at
the door of an inn in the village of Rou-
dele, France, which adjoins the park OF
Mainalson. The hostess went ont TO re-
ceive him, and giving his horse to the stable
boy, he ordered dinner. He was shown In
to the best room in the house, and the busy
hostess set about preparing the repast.
In a few minutes another traveller on
horseback stopped at the inn, and also or
der, d dinner. 'f rf.''N ~ W .h.l"H
al am very sorry that cannot accom-
modate you" said the host, "but every
thing, we have In the house has been be-
spoke by gentleman who came a few
minutes before y0u!n '.I..I -"
"Go up stairs" said the traveller, "and
tell your guest shall be Obliged to him II
he will permit me to share his dinner, and
Twill defray my portion Of the EXPENSE"
The hostage delivered the message to the
first traveller, who very politely replied:
"Tell the gentleman should be glad of
his company, but that it is not my practice
to accept payment from persons whom |
invite to dine with me-" -. ll 81.
The second traveller accordingly went up
stairs, and having expressed his acknowl-
edgments for the kind reception he had
received, they both sat down to the table.
IIlc ulnIlGT WAS hS CIlGCIlul 10 DC
expected, considering the short acquaint-
ance of the parties; but during the desert,
when some excellent wine was placed be-
fore them, the conversation became unre-
strained, and the second traveller asked his
obliging Amphitryon what had brought
him to that part of the country, where he
appeared to be stranger.
Z" / have been ordered here by the cardi-
nal"
"By the cardnalp resumed his COM
paniOn. "Pardon my curiosity, If | in
quire whether you have given his eminence
any oliense?"
SBy no MEANS" replied the first travel
er; "and it's only to free myself from any
such imputation that / have come here.
The fact is, there has been published at
Rochelle, my native town, viruleDt satire
upon the public conduct and personal char
acter of the cardinal several copies of
which have been addressed to the King,
and though never in my life wrote sin
gle word that has appeared in print, | am
uniustly accused of being the author of
this pamphlet. Nothing obtains such a
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 eflectually refu-
ting the charge that is brought against
me-"
"Sir,n said his companion, with an ex-
preston of marked anxiety, "return
thanks to Providence for the fortunate ac-
cident that has introduced you to me to-
dav. also have been summoned hithtr by
the cardinal, and for no other purpose, /
am convinced, than that of beheading
you"
A thrill of horror passed through the
frame of the person to whom these words
were addressed.
ayes, sir" resumed the speaker; "my
task would have been to behead you. am
the executioner of a neighbOring town, and
whenever the cardinal has any secret act OF
vengeance to perform, ] receive orders to
report to the castle. The particulars
have Just heard you relate, together with
the hour ofyour appointment here, all con-
vince me without doubt that you are
marked out as a victim. But fear nothing;
l will secure your escape. Order your horse
instantly and go with me. | will acquit
myself of the gratitude which your courte-
sy has imposed upon me-"
The horror and alarm of the poor travel
| er NAV be more easily conceived than de-
scribed. He instantly ordered the horses
| to be saddled, and having paid the bill, he
way through the wood OF Bertrand. W
"Do you see" said the guide, as they ap-
preached the castle, "that grated window
which almost reaches the crannies of the
center turret? In that dungeon sentences
against which there is no appeal, are pro-
| nounced and executed, and the mutiated
bodies of the victims are hurried into the
moat below, where they are speedily de-
stroyed by quicklime. Neglect not 20 OBJ
serve nv instructions. Conceal yourself
| behind that hedge, and If within the space
| of an hour you see light glimmering at
the window which have pointed out, then
you may conclude that | am ordered here
| to execute vengeance upon another, but II
on the contrary. you see no light rely on il
| that YOU yourself are the intended victim
| In that case, lose not moment. Profit by
the darkness of the night and the swiftness
of your horse. Gain the frontier, and there
plead your cause as you see fit. But per-
nit me to tell you that it Is absurd to seek
to Justify yourself against the imputation
of an offense which you have not commit.
| ted; for where despotism reigns, truth and
| Justice are powerless."
Having expressed unbounded gratitude
| to his tutelar saint, the first traveller with
drew to his hiding place. '
| luG SuSRlClOuo vi dSNill
proved well founded. No light appeared
at the window of the turret, and at the ex
piration of an hour the traveller gallopet
| off. '''-N roy - Cd" " NO.,
Heimmediately quilted France, and die
not venture back until after the death o
the cardinal. .ls e'. it .'3t-
| On returning to his native country, hi
| first business was to visit the inn at Rou
| dele, and to make inquiries respecting hi
benefactor, who, however, had not beer
heard of for several years. 500 i'-.
He then related his adventure, which ha
since become a local tradition, and has con
ferred celebrity on the inn at Roudelle
known by the sign Of the CheUdl Blanc. "I
| Tile room In which the two, traveller
dined is shown to this day, and is callet
''The room OF good cheer."s ~ .a--..dt Z, Z
| .-i.fr'l .uAfU1 Proven. EWd in jGsi
Within three or four years past tht