Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-05-24

hat, which, of the same material as that
of the traveller, and, like his, unadOrned
by feather or buckle, was Of dull Grim
son color.
II don't like the looks of that Robni
Redhead," the traveller bethought himself.
His eminence wears scarlet hat; but
it has tassels and broad brim. Who ever
saw peaceablc citizen in such blood
stained looking coucrechef as that?"
However, he was an open-hearted bur
CESS; and, rising held out his hand to the
stranger, saying, Welcome, Sir and
friend!" : - tsaag Ill.,.
To his surprise the man with the Red
Hat drew back, as. though half-alarmed
and half astonished at this simple act Of
courtesy, and, instead of reciprocating it.
contentcd himself with making a low
bow. vs. 81 Il d -
"Avery ceremonious parsonage, upon
nv word" mused the guest. Perhaps
he is Huguenot; or, just as likely, q
Catholic. and thinks I am hereto. The
spotted fever take all religious differ
ences, say ~ Then, raising his voice, he
said, "Sir, am extremely happy to be
able to offer you a share Of my supper
and"
"a thousand thanksr,' hastily inter
posed he of the Red Hat. Then diving
into the recesses of pouch at his belt, he
produced a handful of silver and con-
tinued, "Takc, 1 entreat you, what have
to pay as my share of the reckoning
"Sir, sir" protested the traveller, edo
you take me for niggard curmndgeon
who expects stranger to pay for the
meal to which he invites him!"
"Invite! Do you mean to say that you
invite me?" faltered the Red Hat.
"Of course do. L told the landlord
So" replied the other.
Then" responded the Red Hat, with a
very peculiar and not very pleasant smile
II accept your invitation as heartily as II
was given. This is the first time in my
life that such q thing has happened to me
But the sky has fallen, and We may ex.
pect tc catch roast larks." And he drew
stool up to the fire and began to bask
and hug himself in the genial warmth.
Roast larks failed to come down; but q
splendid roast goose just then came up
danked by hotchpotch of savory ingre'
dents, and two portly pitchers Of wine
The strangely acquainted friends sal
down to table and did thesanplest justice
to the edibles and potables; and so de-
lighted did mine host seem with the ap'
petites Of his guests, that he insisted upon
Standing treat in more than one flask Of
his choicest vintage. - \ -
mo doubt, sir" the Red Hat remarked
when the landlord had removed the
fragments Of the repast, and they were
left alone, "that you are as we'll known
as I am in this hostelry. Good MAJ
Aubry waited on you as though you were
prince"
mot in the least" replied the burgess
smiling. "But I just sounded my pocket
and he was content with the ring of tn
little livres Tournois." - :,
His interlocutor smiled grizzly in hi!
turn. "Yes," he pursued, "gold has i'm
mense power in every country; still it j:
far from prudent to show the contents o.
ones pocket to everybody, especially II
such place as this"
The burgess looked at hinf oneasily
do you mean that there are any
pickpockets hereabouts, br0ther?" III
asked.
quainted with the neighborhood?" re-
turned the other, answering one ques
ton by asking another.
Faith, not I. This is my first visit
and come from a long distance. an
from La Rochelle"
From La Rochelle!:" and the Rec
Hat in his turn regarded his new friend
with perturbed looks; ''what on cartf
brings you from thence!'
"The force of circumstances, my un
lucky star, and his eminence the Cardi
nal. IT'S a very long story. l have
been specially sent for to wait upon hi:
eminence."
unfortunate man. exclaimed tn.
Red Hat; "what have you to do witt
him? Have you offended his eminence?'
a"Never, to my knowledge" responded
the burgess. AS fate would have it
however, I have been accused of doing so
but my complete justification can b,
neither long nor difficult. You mus
know that the Rochellois are very trou
blesome fellows; and that evil speaking
lying and slandering are far too common
there. Some scurvy wag among our citi
zens has written an anonymous satir'
against the administration in general, ant
Monseigneur the Cardinal in particular
There. has been talk about Urban
Chandler, about tragedies and verses writ
ten by his eminence, about certain sar
aband said to have been, danced by him
before the quecn;a peck Of nonsense
Some secret enemy OF mine has been goO'
enough to denounce me as the author Q
these rougish pesquinades- who neve
rhymed two lines together in my life. l
is most perverse and treacherous time
To exculpate myself referred to Gel
tain worthy monk, Father Joseph, who
said to be honored with the friendshi
and confidence of his eminence. He wa
fully convinced ofmy innocence and sui
sequently informed me that Monseigneu
would deign to grant me an interview
and here I am, deeply fattered by hi
eminence's condescension. although
should much prefer being sung at HON
in my own house at La Rochelle"
"Humphr' quoth the Red Hat; Is for m
part think you would have done niue
better to have remained at home, and lei
this FOOLS Grand to take care Of itsel
Cardinals are dangerous personages
have interviews with But must be Fl
ing" he resumed, hastily rising. +" FARE
we'll, master of mine! Thanks for you
hospitality, and pray Heaven and s
Nicholas that me may never meet again
And so saying the Red Hat abruptly lie
the room. liza =: t. - + & Il:
"a fools Grand! what can he mean b
thatl' unused the burgess. Poor MAJ
he must be cracked. Who but mao
man would think Of wearing Red Ha
However, my little affair will be soon sc
tled--nine o'clock was the hour fixed
which was to wait upon his cminenc
It's not five minutes walk to the chateau
. and then shall come comfortably hon
to bed.'
| Paying his reckoning at the polite r
quest of the host. who, limited that cav
Tiers who went to the chateau. sometime
found their arrangements for returnir
at fixed hour interfcred with a hi
which the traveller wholly failed to cor
| prehend-hc went out into the nigh
wrapping his cloak around him to shelf