The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-06-04
TWO QUEENS.

TWO QUEENS.
One rainy evening toward the close of
April. 1871, a ponderous old travelling
coach toiled YEARLY up the hill, the
summit of which is crowned by the
ancient town of Jougne, on the road
between Ions les Saulniers and Besan-
con, the capital of the province of
Franche- Comte. There were two wo-
men in the vehicle F; one, tall, hand
some, and exceeding elegant, occupied
the seat facing the horses the other,
who sat opposite TO her, was young
person of sprightly countenance, whose
simple costume and deferential manner
announced her at once to be either
a waiting-maid or dame de compagne.
From 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 apparently to see whether any one
were following.
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 Flemish horses to get into a
trot, let alone a gallop. The road was
80 bad, the rain so binding, the ruts so
. many, the mud so deep, that the best
the poor beasts could do in response to
their masters oaths and loud cracks of
the whip was to give an occasional jerk
forward, or a stumble, and then resume
their wonted funeral pace.
"Heaven help me, Susanne This
dreadful Journey will never end we
can not possibly reach Besancon to-
night" observed the lady who sat with
her face to the horses. Mon Dieu
how ] wish we were all over it and safer
Madame is too nervous that gen.
tleman on horseback we have seen at
the last three stations, and who has
followed us, has frightened her. Be-
lieve me, I am sure he is no spy he is
too nice for that. am persuaded that
he is only fascinated by madam s
charms, and has not recognized her.
Oh. he is no more a sans culOtte than !
am."
In few moments more the carriage
rumbled through the narrow streets OF
Jougne, and presently stopped under
the pOrte-cochere Of the hotel of the
golden lion.
"Will the ladies get down." said the
Jolly innkeeper as he stood with the
half opened door in one hand and his
cap in the other, bowing with extra
civility to his two new guests, and de-
lighted at the prospect of their being
detained all night under his roof, for
travellers had become very rare III those
troublesome times. "Will the ladies
get down ? Supper will be ready at a
moments notice."
Certainly, we want it at once, and
let it be good, substantial meal, for /
can assure you, we are really hungry"
answered the tall lady, as she jumped
out.
Susanne, loaded with rugs and satch-
els, followed her mistress iuto the
house, and the two travellers emerging
from the shades Of the hall entered the
brilliantly Illuminated dining room. A
fire crackeled cheerfully on the hearth,
and the large apartment, with many
little tables covered with snow white
cloths and shining glass, looked quite
cozy. The ladies taking off their wraps,
seated themselves by the fire, and
presently the landlady drew in front of
them table on which she placed two
smoking bowls of broth.
The bright light of the fire threw its
cheerful glare on the countenance of
the tall lady, and showed her to pos
sess such rare and stately beauty that
the worthy landlady, on returning to
the kitchen, proclaimed to her satellites
that she never before had seen so
queenly a passenger-"C'eSt une Veri-
table reine" (she is perfect queen. }
"I'll warrant she's some fine court
marchioness on her way over the front
ier," said she, "and, poor soul, I would
be the last to prevent her flight"
Her costume was simple, consisting
of a gray petticoat and a fowered
chintz overskirt, made in the fashion
Warden" Her attendant, whom she
called Susanne, was pretty and un-
pretending young woman, belonging to
the vivacious class of French serving
maids immortalized by Moliere and
Beaumarchais as SoubretteS.
The two travellers had scarcely tasted
: their first spoonful of soup when the
doors of the apartment were thrown
open, and q .tonctionnaire of the pro-
visionary government, wearing his tri-
colored scarf, entered. Striding up to
the table at which the two ladies were
seated, he drew from his pocket let
ter, and fixing his eyes with vivid in.
terest ON the tall lady, made mental
comparison between her countenance
and that of some one described in the
document he held in his hand.
"What is your name, cheyenne p
asked he, suddenly, in tone OF au-
thority.
"May I ask, first, sir, who it is
shall have the honor of answering when
do give my name ?" returned the lady,
who, although she had become exceed
ingly pale, retained her self-possession
in remarkable manner, for it was nc
joke for woman of position to fall
into the hands of Jonctionnaires in
those days.
81 am the Mayor of Jougne."