The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-14

One rainy evening toward the close of
April, 1891, ponderous old travelling
coach toled YEARLY up the hill the sumnit
Of which is crowned by the ancient towns
of Jougne, on the road between Ions les
Saulniers and Besancon, the capital of the
Province of Franche-Cont 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 Il young person Of
sprightly countenance, whose simple cos
tune and deferentiil manner at once an
nounced her ID be either waiting-maid or
dame de campagnie. 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 postilion or look back down
the road, apparently to see whether any Que
were following.
Notwithstanding the cntreates OF the
ladies', and his own best endeavors, Maitre
Jacques, the postillion, failed miserably in
his attempts to induce his two heavy Elem
ish horses to get into trot let alone gal
lop. The road was SO bad, the rain so
binding, the ruts so many, the mud so deep,
that the best poor beasts could do in re-
Spouse to their masters oaths and loud
cracks ofthe whip was to give an occasional
jerk forward or a stumble, and thea resume
their wonted funeral pace.
'Heaven help us. Susanne!" This dread
ful journey will never end we cannot pos
sibly reach Bcsancon to night" 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 gentleman
on horseback we have seen at the last three
stations, and who has followed us, has
f,;, lau IlaI: \ l..
is no spy; he is too nice looking for that.
am persuaded he is only fascinated by mad
ames charmes, and has not recognized her.
Oh, he is no more sansculoite than
am"
at matters very little what you think
about him; | have my fears, and my rea-
sons for having them. Put your head out
once more and see If he be still IN sight"
Susanna did as she was bid and present
ly shutting down the window as quick as
she could to prevent the rain from pouring
in, gave her mistress the reassurng news
that not only had the obnoxious stranger
disappeared but also that the gates OF
Jougne were close at hand; And, madame,
through break in the clouds ] saw the
mountains of Switzerland, so you see We
are approaching the frontier"
''That is well. We will stop for supper
here at the Lien d'Or, and then hasten on
to Besancon this very night" said her mis-
tress.
In a few minutes more the carriage rum
blcd through the narrow streets Of Jougne,
and presently stopped under the porte
eoehere of the hotel of the Golden Lion.
"Will the ladies get DOWN." said the jolly
inn-keeper as he stood with the half open
carriage door in one hand and his cap in
the other, bowling with extra ciyility to his
two new guests, and delighted at the pros
pect of their being detained all the night
under his roof, for travellers had become very
rare in those troubled times. "Will the la
dies get down? Supper will be ready at Il
moments notice"
"Certainly, we want it at once, and let il
be good substantial meal, for, can as
sure you, we are really hungry" answered
the tall lady as she jumped out and, turning
to the position, inquired of it was possible
to reach Besancon before midnight Per
fectly impossible, madame;
The roads are in Il shocking state. We
should only run the risk of Il breakdown
half way"
.And that would be intolerable. Allous
Susanna, get down and bring in with you
all shawls, pillows, and night-bags you
can find, for, since we must sleep here, VIC
may as well make ourselves Mt home"
Susanna, loaded with rugs and satchels,
followed her mistress into the house, and
the two travellers emerging from the shades
of the hail. entered the brightly illuminated
dining room. A fire cracked cheerily on
the hearth, and the large apartment, with
its many little tables covered with snow
white clothes and shining glass, looked
quito cosy. The ladies taking OF Their