The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-08-13

towers, and more than usually dis
tinguished by the size of it's many
mullioned windows. Though still of
good capacity, the building is much
reduced from it's original grand pro-
portions; it has, moreover, been
shorn of the fair estate which once
appertained to it, with the exception
ola few acres of park land immedi-
ately around the mansion. This
was formerly the seat of the ancient
and knight]y family of the Dreng-
hards, or Drenchards, now extinct in
the male line, whose name, according
to the local chronicles, was inter-
preted to mean Strenuns Miles, vel
Potator, though certain members of
the family were averse to the latter
Specification, and a duel was fought
by one of them on that account, as
is well known. But this is beside the
story.
In the early part OF the reign of the
first King James there was visiting
near this place of the Drenghards "a
lady OF noble family and extraordi-
nary beauty. She possesses no great
wealth., it was said, but was sficient..
ly endowed. Her beauty was so per-
feet and her manner SO enhancing
that suitors seemed to spring out of
the ground wherever shewent- sui
fcient cause of anxiety to the Count
ess her mother, her only living pa
rent. Of these there We've three i'm
particular, whom neither her moth
er's complaints of .prematurity, nor
the ready railery of the maiden her.
SELF could effectually put off. The
said gallants We're Il certain Sir John
Gale, Sir William Henry, and the
well-known Sir George Drenghard,
one Of the Drenghard family before
mentioned. They had, curiously
enough, all been equally honored
with the distinction OF knighthood,
their schemes for seeing her were man
fold, each fearing that one OF the
Others would steal a march over
himself Not content with calling ON
every Imaginable excuse at the house
OF the relative with whom she So
Journed, they intercepted her ina rides
and walks; and ifany one Of them
, chaneedto surprise another inthe act
OF paying her marked attentions.
the encounter often ended in an alter
cation OF great violence. So heat-
ed and impassioned, indeed, would
they become, that the lady hardly
felt herself safe in their company at
such times, notwithstanding thatshe
was a brave and buxOn damsel, not
easily put out, and with daring
spirit of humor in her composition,
! ifnot of coquetry. II -. -F.sss :
On one of these occasions which
had place in her relatives grounds.
and was unusually bitter, threaten
ing to result in q duel, she found it
necessary to assert herself. Turning
haughtily upon the pair ofdisputants,
she declared that whichever should be
the first to break the peace between
them, whatever the provocation, that
man should never be admitted to her
presen,e again; and thus would she
effectually stultify the agressor by
making the promotion of a quarrela
distinct bar to it's object. H
While the two knights were wear
ing rather crestfallen appearance
at her reprimand, the third, never
far off, came upon the scene, and she
repeated her caveat to him also. See
ing, then, how great was the concern
ofall her peremptory mood. thelady's
manner softened, and she said with a
roguish smile:
Have patience, have patience, you
foolish men! Only hide your time
quietly; and, in faith | will marry you
all in turn!"
They laughed heartily at this sally,
all three together, as though they
were the best OF friends, at which she
blushed, and showed some EN- barrass-
ment-pot having realized that her