Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-24
A QUEENS ADVENTURE.

One rainy evening toward the close Of
April, 1871, n pouderous old travelling
coach toiled YEARLY up the hill, the summit
of which is crowned by the ancient town Of
Jougne, on the road between Lous-les-Saun.
iers and Besancon, the capital Of the prov
ince of France-Comte. There we're tive
women in the vehicle one, tall, handsome
and exceedingly elegant, occupied the seat
facing the horses ; the other, who sat oppo-
site to her, was young person Of sprightly
countenance, whose simple costume and def
erential manner at once announced her to be
either a waiting-maid or dame de compag-
ME. FrSm time to time one or the other
of the two travellers would thrust her head
out of the carriage window to urge on the
postillion or look back down the road, APP
parently to see whether any one were follow
ing. Notwithstanding the entreaties of the
ladies and his own best endeavors, Maitre
Jacques, the postillion, failed miserably in
his attempts to induce his two heavy Fem-
nh horses even TO get into a trot, let alone a
gallop The road 80 bad, the rain so blind
ing, the ruts so many, the mud so deep, that
the best the poor horses could do in response
to their masters oaths and loud cracks OF
the whip was to give an occasional jerk
forward or stumble, and then resume their
Wonted funereal pace.
"Heaven help us, Suzanne This dread.
full Journey will never end we cannot pos
sibly reach Besancon tonight" observed the
lady who sat with her face to the horses
"Mon Dieu how wish we were well over
it and safe !"
Madame is too nervous that gentlemaB
on horseback we have seen at the last three
stations, and who has followed US, has
frightened her. Believe me- | am sure he
is no spy he is too nice looking for that
am persuaded he is only fascinated by
madame's charms and has not recognized
her. Oh, he is no more sanS culOtte thar
| am."
ut matters very little what you think
about him; have my fears, and my rea
SONS for having them. Put your head ou
once more and see if he be still in sight"
Suzanne did as she was bid, and presently
shutting down the window as quick as sht
could TO prevent the rain from pouring in
gave her mistress the reassuring news tina
not only hsd the obnoxious stranger disap
peared, but also that the gates OF Jougn'
were close at hand; "And, madame, through
break in the clouds saw the mountains
Of Switzerland, so you see we are approach
ing the frontier"
That is we'll. We will stop for suppe
here at the Lion dor, and then hasten oil
to Besancon this very night, said her mis-
tress.
In few moments more the carriage rum
bed through the narrow streets Of Jougne
and presently stopped under the porte. cOcher
Of the hotel of the Golden Lion.
"Will the ladies get DOWN." said tn
jolly inukeeper as he stood with the hall
opened carriage-door in one hand and hi
cap in the other, bowling with extra eiVilit
to his new guests, and delighted at the pros
pect of their being detained all night unde
his roof, for travellers had become very rar
10 those troubled times "Wil the ladis
get down? Supper will be ready at a me
ment's notice"
Certainly, we want it at once and let
be good substantial meal, for | can assur
you we are really hungry" answered tn
tall lady as she jumped out, and turning
the postillion inquired if il were possible
fehcn DthhuCOu DolOIO hiuhlBhb'
Perfectly impossible, madame the roaC
are in shocking state. We should onl
run the risk Of breakdown halfway"
"And that would be intolerable. ALlOn!
Susanna, get down aud bring in with you a
the shawls, pillows and night-bags you ca
find, Tor, since we must sleep here we ma
as we'll make ourselves at home"
Susanne, loaded with rugs and satchel
followed her mistress into the house, an
the two travellers, emerging from the shad
Of the hall, entered the brightly-illuminate
dining-room. A fire cracked cheerily @
the hearth, and the large apartment, vii
its many little tables covered with SNOW
white cloths and shining glass, looked qu
coy. The ladies, taking off their wrap
seated themselves by the fire, and present
the lsndlady drew in front Of them tab