The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-11-28
Stlert ,,,Shrv..
THE COQUErTE OF ARLON,

tFrom the French of ]. Collin de Plancy.)
In very ancient times the inhabitants
of2Arlon worshipped the moon, and the
learned maintained that the name Arlon
is derived from the two words ara lana,
signifyine "Altar of the Moon" 1t is
perhaps for this reason that, the young
women of this ancient town now and
then have odd fancies. Appropos OF this
/ propose to relate a story which Mr.
Adolphe Decamps must have listened to
when he was Governor of Luxembourg
for it is, one. of the ira ditiens of the
provinces All the Arlonese know it,
and Write it down for the benefit OF
those who, have not been governors OF
provinces, and whose ancestors have not
worshipped the moon.
i, is said that about one hundred years
ago there resided in Arlon a young girl
pamed Gertrude She was eighteen years
of age, and was gay, frank and good
natured, always smiling and happy, and
full o. life and activity She was the
daughter Of Charles Stock, ai wealthy
proprietor Of the little town, and gene
rally designated as Stock, Jr, teIdistihI
guish him from his father and gTanifa-
ther, who were vet living. Hcrheyu last
long in that family" was a local express
ion. . 81 '''''.No ~ q 'k' .! shi9fel
d Gertrude had many admirers, but
none Of them appeared to make any i'm
preston on her heart This, together
with her fascinating manners gave her
the name. of the Coqaette OF lArlon.. ~ =
Do not take this appellationin its harsh.
est sense, for her father and mother al.
lowed her to do as she pleased. having
the utmost confidence inihers And ii
was not misplaced Among the many
who sought her hand in marriage were
four young men lof the town who deserve
special mention Their names were Sig
ismond de vletter, Giles Collins Wen
ceslas Stroobant and Lambert Won Mol
The first named was so calm and unde-
monstrative that the other three gave
themselves no uneasiness about him -
They, on the contrary, we're o'pressing
that the neighbors all expected that she
would certainly marry one of thema'
TIE -four suitors pressed their claims
each one in his own way, urging her to
decide in his own favor So one day In
September, 1743, she deviseda a strate
gem by which to test their strength and
| affection. Her parents once moretal
lowed her to have her own way, for al
she never undertook anything without
first consulting them, we may suppose
that they were notstern and tyrannica
parents that usually, fail TO the lot Of the
unfortunate heroines of modern roman
ces. About quarter Of league from
Arlon, in field belonging toher father
Gertrude had often noticed an old Ro
man tomb, which no one dared to ap
tproach on account OF its ghostIy reputa
ton. ALI sorts of stories were tolt
about it, This tomb has now disappear
ed cannot say how. Gertrude resolv
edito make it the center of her batteries
Giles Collin came as usual and utteret
more ardent and passionate protestation
Iof love, than ever declaring that be woul
willingly walk over burning Goals t
Iplease her aIg !i9Griri sii b5asrlQ |
f"I am not so unreasonable, as to re
quire that of you," said she; lthing
considered, do not refuse 10 MARI
1 you, but / wish to have proof of you
devotion, and at the same time of yob
courage" asDea wods q i1loa
a"Very well,' answered GILES; II wi
give You any proof that you can d.
mand only say what it shall'be.r. ad
/ a"You know said she, "the ancien
ltomb which is situated on the knoll, no
quarter of a leag from town?''ius
/ e"Yes," replied the puzzled sGilles, g
9 have seen itfrom a distance - there i
nothing remarkable about it," roisss4
4 swell, this evening atlnine CLOCK,
want you TO GO, without sayinga wor
to any one about it, and lie down in th
old tomb.r uGa g13tI ,b9Dss 9i 81,
SIN the witches' den 2 What a CT
lprice" soi-ea ., .T72l mod tiir