Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-05-13

pI6S6uC0.
"With your permission, mighty sirs, 9
she began in her open, unhesitatine
way, poklng him in the ribs as gen
tie reminder that he looked sheepish,
with your permission, powerful mas
ters, we appear before you to inform
you that we intend to marry, and, what
IS more, to marry as soon as possible
wherefore we mcst humbly and dutiful-
~ pray the high and mighty council to
grant us the necessary papers, and to
De quick about it, for we have no desire
to wait any longer than absolutely
necessary. Ny homestead needs mas
ter, as you all know. The young man
by my side, a bachelor of coed repute
and law abiding, is my choice, and is
better fitted for the position of host at
the inn Of the Front Room than any
enc else | knew. He is butcher by
trade, young and strong, and, what is
more. his brother across the border, over
IN Alsace, owes him 1000 guilders
Rhenish, part Of their fathers estate
which he can collect in cash at any mo-
ment. Therefore, I can see, neither le-
gally nor morally, anything to be said
against my Francois, and I-well, why
make many words? I love him, and l
want him!''
A silence fell upon the assembled
city fathers after this strange speech Of
the plucky little widow. At last the
worthy brrgomaster, a member of the
worshipful Tanners guild, broke the
awkward pause, after deliberately help
ing himself to q plentiful supply of
snuff from silver tabatiere-a present
of "his most great and all powerful
mightiness'' the reigning prince of the
land-and passing the box to his col
leagues.
Highly honored friends and col
leagues, and thou, honored and virtu-
Gus Mistress Lisbeth, thy desire is full
OF the Christian spirit of neighborly
love and according to the laws of the
land; in fact, it is reasonable-yea, more
than that, it is necessary. Thou speak
est truly. Thy establishment is sorely
III need of q masters strong arm, and
thou needest a husband. But is it abso-
lutely necessary that it should be a
stranger? Are there 10 young men in
our town, sons Of our worthy citizens
who are as fit to rule the destinies Of
the inn Of the Front Room, and thine
own as we'll, and who are but too will
ing to have thee for their lawful wife?
Explain, worthy Mistress Lisbeth, why
dost thou run after this tramp? Be ad-
vised by us. Marry one Of Cur young
men. But shouldst thou remain stub
born and wilt not be guided by our IA
therly care for thy welfare, the conse-
quences be on thy head, for tell thee
herewith, i'll the name Of the citizens
all, we dislike and disapprove Of thy
choice.
''The inn has for long generations
been in possession Of men who were citi-
zens of our borough, and thus it shall
remain. Even thyself art but stran-
ger, having gained the inn by marriage.
Hence it is but just that nobody but the
son of one Of cur citizens should again
own it, and thou art herewith forbidden
to marry yon vagabond. Collectively
and individually, this council formally
protests against it, and declines thy pc
tition. That ends it. -
Commendatory words rewarded the
burgomaster at the end Of this lucid ex-
battalion, and the princes snuffbox
again made the round of the council ta-
BILE.
Lisbeth's ire had risen fast during
this insulting speech. She began an an
cry remonstrance, but was quickly and
considerably drawn toward the door
and pushed out into the corridor by the
city messenger (who was thoughtful of
many free drink at her bar) before
she had chance to further injure her
cause by angry expostulations.
Not so Francois, the unfortunate
groom, who had been terribly wrought
up by the expressions of "tramp' and
"vagabond'' hurled at him. He sudden
ly sprang forward, stopped short in
front of the burgomaster, and, shaking
his fist i'll his face, exclaimed:
"And say, you high and mighty
citizens of B, I'll marry her in
spite of you and all your thick headed
and crooked legged sonsp'
The city fathers looked aghast at such
impudence The burgomaster threw his
snuffbox with such force On the table
that the dust rose in clouds from the
official documents
"Wretchr' cried he. "Wilt thou hold
thy tongue, thou i'll hammered Alsatian
Cur, thou vagabond? Immediately go
and pay fine of 1 guilder Rhenish into
the city treasury fer thy unparalleled
insult offered to our citizens, and if
thcu tarriest here any longer I will
have thee put into the dungeon and tor
tured until thou wilt show better man.
Ders. -
This delivery was followed by gener-
al applause. Francois paid his fine and
left, while the princes snuffbox once
more went from hand to hand.
On the Saturday following the nar-
rated events a cabriolet and pair, driven |
by Francois, stopped in front Of the lion |
OF the Front Room. Lisbeth, dressed III |
her best Sunday finery, appeared, slnll- |
ing good hunoredly, and took her seat |
in the vehicle, which started eff at a |
brisk trot. But the trip did not remain |
q secret Somehow CT other pretty soon
everybody seemed to know that Mistress
Lisbeth had gone to see her godfather, |
the abbot, to ask his interference in her
and her lovers behalf.
However, the great council was vide
awake and up to the emergency. AS
early as 1 o'clock the same afternoon
the city hall bell called all the citizens,
more than 100 men, together in mass
meeting.
The burgomaster presided. In few
concise words he explained the great
danger that threatened all landed c1tl-
zens Of B by Mistress Lisbeth' s
reasonable plan, and the impression ne
made was so pronounced that before the
princely box had made three rounds
among the members Of the council the
following petition was drawn up to the
government at D:
''Fetition, Remonstrance and Protest:
"We, the bailiff, the burgomaster,
the great and the lower councils, also
the entire citizenship Of the ever loyal
city Of B., herewith beg to state as
follows: It is known to your high and
mighty government that about year
aoo the nroT,r;etor of the inn OF the |