The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-03-21
MISCELLANY.
A QUEENS ADVENTURE.
BY R. DAvEY.


April, 1871, ponderous old travelling
coach toiled wearily up the hill the summit
of which is crowned by the ancient town
of JOugne, on the road between Lons-les-
SaulnierS and BesancOn, the capital of the
Province Of Franche-COmte. There were
two women in the vehicle one, tall, hand
some and exceedingly elegant, occupied
the seat facing the horses the other, who
sat opposite to her, was young person of
sprightly eountenance, whose simple COS
tune and deferential manner at once an
nounced her to be either waiting maid or
dame de compagnie. From time to time
one or the other of the two travellers would
thrust her head out of the carriage window
to urge OH the position 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 position, failed miserably in
his attempts to induce his two heavy Flem-
ish horses to get into trot, let alone a
gallop. The road was SO 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 master oaths and loud
cracks of the whip was to give an occasional
jerk forward or stumble and then resume
their wonted funeral pace.
Heaven help us, Susannel 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.
Men Dieu how wish we were well over
it and safe''
Madame is too nervous that gentle
man 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 heis only fascinated
by madanae's charms, and has not rec0g-
niZed her. Oh, he is no more asansculotte
than anl.''
1t matters very little what you think
about him; 1 have my fears, and my
reasons for having them. Put your head
out once more and see if he is still in
sight"
Susanne did as she was bid, and pre-
sently shutting down the window as quick
as she coUld, to prevent the rain from pour
ing in, gave her mistress the reassuring
news that not only had the obnoxious
stranger disappeared, but that the gates of
Jougne were close at hand " And, mad
anne, through break in the clouds l saw
the mountains of Switzerland, so you see
we are approaching the frontier"
That's well. We will stop for supper
here at the Lion dor, and then hasten on
to Besancon this very night" said her
mistress.
In few moments more the carriage
rumbled through the narrow streets of
Jougne, and presently stopped under the
port-cocheTe of the hotel of the Golden
Lion.
viii the ladies get down 20 said the
jolly innkeeper as he stood with The half
opened caTriage-door in one hand and his
cap in the other, bowling with extra civility
Tn hiS txryo on Qf
the prospect of their being detained all
night under his roof, for travellers had be-
come very rare in those troubled times
''Will the ladies get down? Supper will
be ready at moments notice."
Certainly, we want it at once, and let
it be good, substantial meal, for can as
sure you, We are rarely hungry" an
swered the tall lady, as she jumped out,
and turning to the position, inquired if it
were possible to reach Besancon before
midnight,
Perfectly impossible, madame; the
roads are in shocking state. We should
only run the risk of a breakdown half
way"
And that would be intolerable. Al
tons! Susanne, get down and bring in
with youall the shawls, pillows. and night
pags youcan find, for since we must sleep
mere, we may as well make ourselves at
home"
Susanne, loaded with rugs and satehels.
followed her mistress into the house. and
tne two travellers, emerging from the
shade OF the hall, entered the brightly-il-
Iutnlnated dining-room. A fire cracked
cheerily on the hearth, and the large apart
ment, with its many little tables covered
with snow-white cloths and shining glass,
looked quite cosy. The ladies, taking off
their wraps, seated themselves BY the fire.
ana presently the landlady drew in front
OF uen tabie on which she placed two
smoking bowls of excellent broth.
The bright light of the fire threw IFS
cheerful glare on the countenance of the
tall Lady, and showed her to possess such
rare and stately beauty that the worthy
l2ndiady, on returning to the kitchen. pro
claimed to her satellites that she never be-
tore had seen SO QueenlY persnnaoe.