Nebraska advertiser., 1868-02-27

49, Az ANN.
"Nv lord, in the house that you see
Ginning yonder among the trees, there
lives a woman who does things such as
nobody else can do. Only persuade her
cow 10 draw the carriage, and, in my
opinion. she viii draw il TIL morning"
The baron made a sign, and thirty
peasants ran to the cottage Of Finette,
who very Obligingly lent them her gold
en-horned COW.
To 90 to church drawn by q COW was
not, perhaps, what the ambitious bride
had dreamed of, bui il was better than
TO remain unmarried IN the road. The
heifer was harnessed, therefore. before
the four horses, and every body looked
on -anxiousIy TO see what this boosted
animal would do.
But before the coaohman had time to
crack his whip, 10! the COW started off as
if she we're about to go around the world
anew. Horses, Garage, baron. betrothed,
coachman-all were hurried away by
the furious animal. In vain The knights
spurred their horses 10 follow the pair /;
in vain the peasants ran at full speed,
taking the cross-road and cutting. across
the meadows. The carriage few as if
it had wings;a pigeon could not have
followed it.
On reaching the door of the church the
party, a little disturbed by this rapid
Journey, would not have been sorry 70
alIQht. Every thing was ready for the
ceremony, and the bride pair bad long
been expected; but instead of stopping,
the cow redoubled her speed. Thirteen
times she ran round the church ike light
ming, then suddenly made her way in a
straight line across the fields TO the cas-
tie, with such force that the whole party
were almost shaken to pieces before their
arrival,
VII.
No more marriage was to be thought Of
for that day; but the tables were set snd
the dinner served, and the Baron Kerver
was too noble q knight 70 take leave Of
his brave Bretons until they had drank
according to cussom-that is, from sun
set ill sunrise, and even a little later.
Orders were given for the guests to.
take their seats. Nlnety-six tables were
ranged il eight rows. In front of them,
on a large platform covered with velvet,
with a canopy in the middle, was a table
larger then the rest, and loaded with
fruit and flowers, to cay nothing OF the
roast hares, and the ~peaCoCks smoking
beneath their plumage. AT this table
the bridle pair were to have been seated
in full sight, in order that nothing might
be lacking TO the pleasures Of the feast,
and that the meanest peasants might
have the honor Of saluting them by en-
plying his cup of hydromel TO the honor
and prosperity Of the high and mighty
house Of KerVeF.
The baron seated the hundred knights
at bis table, and placed their squires be-
hind their chairs TO serve them. At his
right he put the bride and WON, but he
left the seal at bis left vacant, and call
ing a page, "Child, " said he, 'run to
the house Of the stranger lady who obi
ged US only too much this morning. Il
was not her fault ifher success exceeded
her goodwill. Tell her that the Baron
Kerver thanks her for her help, and In
vites her to the wedding feast Of bis con
Lord won"
On reaching the golden house, where
Finetle, in tears, was mourning for her
beloved, the page bent n knee TO the
ground, and, in the baron's name, Invited
the stranger lady to she castle to do honor
to the wedding Of Lord WON.
Thank your master for me-, > answer.
ed the young girl, proudly, land tell
him that if be is too noble to come to my
house, 1 am too noble to 60 to his"
When the page repeated this answer
70 bis master the Baron KerveT struck
the table such q blow that three plates
few. into the air.
by my honor" said be, "ihis is spok-
en- like a lady. and for the frs, time /
own myself beaten. Quick saddle my
dun mare, and letmy knights and squires
prepare to attend me-"
Il was with this brilliant train that
the baron aighted at the door Of the
golden cottage. He begged Finette's
pardon, held the strip for her, and seat
ed her behind him on bis own horse,
neither more nor less than a duchess in
person. Through respect, be did not
speak a single word to her on the way.
On reaching the castle he uncovered
his head, and led her to the seat Of honor
that he had chosen for her.
The baron's departure had made q
great excitement, and his return caused
still greater surprise. Every one asked
who the lady could be that the baron
treated with such respect. Judging
from her costume, she was a foreigner /;
could she be the Duchess Of Normanda
or the Queen Of France? The steward,
the bailif, and the seneschal were APP
pealed TO. The steward irembled. the
bailitf turned pale, and the senesehal
blushed, but all three were as mute as
fishes. The silence Of these important
personages added TO the general wonder.
All eyes were fixed on Finette, who
felt a deadly chill at her heart, Cor WON
saw but did not know her. He cast an
indifferent glance at her, then began TO
talk in a tender tone 10 the fair.haired
lady, who smiled disdainfully.
Finette, in-despair, took from the purse
the golden bullet, her last hope. While
talking with the baron, who was charmed
with her wit, she shook the little ball in
her hand, and repeated, in a whisper :
"Golden bullet, precious treasure,
Save NEIL II be thy pleasure"
And behold, the bullet grew larger and
larger, until ii became a goble! Of chaced
gold, the most beautiful cup that ever
graced the table Of baron or king.