Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-29


castle OF Jean d'OMcamp Immediately, and
tomorrow let me know the result Of his mis-
sion."
The good woman went away. But among
all the officers appointed by the count to adj
minister his laws in Bruges, there was not
one who dared to go TO tho castle Of Jean.
The widow returned the next day to the
door of st. Donat, and related all that had
passed to Baudouin.
$50, they fear q man who does not fear
the laws" said the count; al shall send Ul-
ryck, one Of my sergeants, and we shall see
what this fellow will say to him. Tell him
Of your troubles, my poor woman"
The noble count then addressed a few
words to little man who was in his suite,
and then entered the church.
The little man approached the window.
He was native Of Flanders, and was calm
and gentle in his manners, He was below
medium hight his countenance was pale but
animated, and expressive of kindness aud
good nature, and his eyes were bright and
piercing. Under the title of sergeant, he
was entrusted with the execution Of the
counts rigorous orders in short, his duties
were similar to those of the beadles Of that
time, now called les huissiers. These duties
were little suited to. his character, but cir
cumstances had placed him in this situation.
80 this man refuses to pay you8" said
he, gently, to the good woman.
"Yes," replied the widow, "and none of
the civil officers Of Brugcs dare present the
note to him"
81 will go to him myself" said the little
man.
The grateful woman raised her eyes to
Ulryck and said, with deep emotion {; "You
are very good, but you are not strong. Do
you not fear Monseigneur Jean d'0stcamp
He is powerful lord"
"Oh! do not apprehend any danger,
said Ulryck. 81 shall carry my lions staff,
and the ak of the powerful count is embroid-
cred on my sleeve. He will respect me as an
officer of his sovereign. Return home, my
good woman, and after the holy mass 1 will
deliver your message, and in three hours at
most you will receive justice"
The widow thanked Ulryck, and went
away her heart oppressed with many con.
ficting emotions aud presentiments.
As soon as he had heard mass, Ulryck
FASTENED back to the counts castle, and GO
ing to the stable he saddled and bridled hi:
little horse, took his ebony staff, on the tor
of which was a silver lion, and set out fol
the castle ofJean dOstcamp.
Horses of good breed ordinarily have a
quality which, for want Of better name
we call instinct, and which often stands then
in better stead than our intelligence does us
A horse will stop at the ent. ance Of wooC
infested by wolves, and nothing will induce
him to cross forest if be scents the presenc'
of tiger. Min this was the name o
Ulryck's little horse) possessed in markeC
degree the tact or instinct of which w
speak.
The poor animal seemed to foresee peril
if not to himself at least to his master. Tn,
sergeant had never been able to induce hin
to go into battle. This little horse did no
like danger, but he deeply loved Ulryck, VIII
.otu,naI oHaot;nn Co. oHaaf;on Ha oora,
for Min himself, morning and evening, file,
his rack, spread his bed and groomed him
and the animal accustomed to the man, rec
ognized him from afar, saluting him b.
neighing, turning his head to look after him
and sadly lowering his ears when Ulryck wa
out of his sight. lfthe sergeant was absen
and stranger had brought hay or oats +
him, the animal seemed afflicted and woult
not eat. None but his master ever mount
ed him.
Min at times took inexplicabe whims 70
instance, he would often choose longer an
more difficult road in preference to the short
err and easier one. Ulryck, who had neve
been able to conquer the obstinacy of hi
a little horse on this point, usually allow
; ed him to have his own way. min know
e what he is about the sergeant would say
f "if he wants to carry me on the RICH
e hand, which is longer, aud increases hi
+ trouble, it is because he scents danger on tn
q lefthand road"
But when duty required, Ulryck had
e means of vanquishing the obstinacy of Mil
It He would dismount and proceed on foo
;, leaving Min to follow or go back, as he chos
# and the poor animal never failed to folio
g his master like dog. If any obstacl
e separated them, as soon as he could ovel
!. come it, Min would find Ulryck and rejoi
70 him in no matter how great crowd; and
It Ulryck ever started on an excursion alon
and any one during his absence opened Il
s. stable door, Min would follow on his track
7, the distance of half league from BRUCE
is for the expeditions of the sergeant never el
s. tended further than that. Every one
e the city knew the little horse and could a
10 proach him, but he would allow no one Q
N Their to catch or mount him.
le We mention all these details because the
Of we're remarkable; let us also add, what U
Is ryck had often observed, viz That on evel
ID occasion that Min had refused to go, Ulryc
DE- had encountered dangers. Once during
is fight with the rebellious baron, his horse r
iusing to march, Ulryck had gone on TO
ID and was severely wounded Many other e
lie amples we're cited.
TO On the occasion of which we write, NJ
D. showed himself more restive than usuaI