Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-01-15
THE JEALOUS WHEELRIGHT Of SENNE
WILLIE.
A TALE OF NORMANDY.
rH o,11 (hn1,1her,s .Lon1nnl.i

FL ON Chambers JournalI
1t was not congenial weather for walk
when l started from Fecamp for the village
of Senneville upon certain autumn after
noon. The sky was cloudy, the wind cold,
and a drizzling rain beat in my face. The
reddening leaves upon the trees shivered
and oripped and shivered again with sound
which seemed so melancholy, that / was
faiu to quicken my step, and look about
for a house or some human beings along
the road, in order to remove the feeling of
sadness which crept over me. Bu there
are no houses to be seen along this route,
only villa here and there half-hidden in a
grove of fir-trees; and not single person
did | meet going or coming.
1t was therefore with sense of relief
that | came upon the broad highway,
stretching straight as DAFT across flat
extent of country, where insulated farms,
surrounded snugly with trees, were to be
seen looking like groves planted in we'll
defined squares. Some PAGES back from
the road, close at hand, was the old village
inn foriwhch was bound. Beside this inn
at Senneville, there are two or three cot
tages; and there is, between them and the
inn, wheelwright's house and shed This
group of buildings stands alone ON the main
road. The village, which is composed of
scattered dwellings opposite to the inn
across the fields, extends in the direction of
the sea, above the cliff; but 1t is partially
concealed behind trees where the church
steeple rises up, the only prominent object
ON this misty afternoon.
As l approached the inn, and was passing
the wheelwright's, heard angry voices, as
though in dispute, and as came nearer,
saw two figures standing within the shed
a young man whom l recognized as the
wheelwright, and girl, the daughter OF
the inn keeper. next door. The man had
>forbidding face. aud, at this moment,
when his small, black eyes were flashing
with anger, and his thin jaw set, it was the
| face of the imp OF darkness. He was short,
almost dwarfish, and in his hand, with his
| powerful arm nplfted, he held large ham
mer "Jeal usr' said he striking a heavy
| blow On the iron hoop OF wheel at which
he was working. Have not good reason
to be Jealous? He is alw Us coming here y
| THAT is not true Fauberi," sad the
girl quickly; 'he seldom comes near Senne-
vile.
| She cast at the man an indignant glance,
and her large eyes filled with tears.
"Ah - said Faubert, with another heavy
blow, 81 don't know that You meet him,
that's evident l saw you in the market
together last Saturday"
| Mari i..idea her arms, and raising her
handsome face, replied: What of it?
There is no harm in tina ~
The wheelwright answered in passion
ate lone, though too low for the words to
reach me. All the same time he struck
heavy blows upon the ion hoop, one after
another, in a manner which bore signiti-
canoe in every stroke. Then looking up,
he caught sight of me. and his angry ex-
preston softened as he slightly raised his
cap.
The girl turned and welcomed me with
a smile struggling through her tears.
Good evening. Monsieur Parker" said
She. sCome into the house, sir. You look
cold" She led the way as she spoke to-
ward the inn. l followed; the sound OF the
wheelwright's hammer still ringing in nv
ears as stepped in.
On the left-hand side of the entrance there
was cafe, with wooden tables and chairs
ranged around the walls, where I saw
through the glass door some workmen,
talking loudly, drinking and playing dom.
inoes. The room on the opposite side,
which now entered, was half-cafr, half.
kitchen. A long table stood under the
windows; and at the end of this table, near
est to the fire. was seated, with a cup Of
coffee and glass of cognac at his elbow, a
youth in fur overcoat, with legs stretched
out toward the fire, smoking cigar.
''Stll raining, Marie % said he, touching
his small pointed moustache.
eyes," said Marie; ''still raining.'
He blew cloud of smoke gracefully from
his lips. "Abominablep' said he, with a
gesture of impatience.
seated myself near him at the table.
"Do you return to Fecamp tonight ?''
| inquired.
Marie. who was STOPPING down over the
fire to serve me with coffee from an eartber
pot upon the hearth looked up into his
face.
"Yes," said he. "The fact is, mus,
be back in Fecamp before seven o'clock.
1--WE have some old friends coming to dine
With us; and, y he added, Sthe worst of it is,
Unjust walk
is4Not pleasant, said l. "The night will
be dark. The road is dangerous
dangerous ?" said be, with surprise.
Yes, Monsieur Leonard" said the girl.
/ pouring out my coffee, sit is dangerous. .