Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-05-13
WITHOUT A LICENSE.


married is q "he'' and a ''she" and the
necessary license. Any che authorized
by law can splice them without ques-
tion as to who or what they are, wheth-
er they possess anything OF by what
means they intend 10 support themselves
or their children. That is the exact sit
uation. Those matters are none Of the
officiating mediums S business, nor is he
in position to hinder the couple, some
times hardly cut Ct their teens, from
rushing straight into trouble ard misery
In times gene by things were alto
gether different and more care was tax
en-. Bat then one may go too far in his
care fer the we'll being CT hymeneal
candidates, IS the following narrative
shall demonstrate.
In order to allay possible apprehen-
sions On the part cf our fair readers
about the fate cf the hero and heroine,
and to save them tho trouble to begin
this little story Ct love and its trials at
the end, let it be understood right here
that in spite of seemingly insurmounta
BILE difficulties they reach the matrimo-
nial haven il safety.
Our tale begins on a balmy morning
in May, 178-, such o May morning as
is seldom seen anywhere outside cf the
Rhine valleys in the Black forest.
The young and fair hostess of the inn
of the Front Room, the famous and
most popular hostelry in the ancient
= %f %o1
alone in the guestrcom. Her plump
figure was becolningly attired in gown
Of navy blue, profusaly braided and en-
broidered according to the fashion Of
the day, over which she wore black
silk apron. The graceful outlines Ct her
bust showed to perfection in velvet
waist hung with silver chains, and Oh
table beside her repostd q magnificent
lace cap.
No doubt the hostess sat there wait
ing for some one and had SO elaborately
bedecked herself TO please the expected
caller. Mistress Lisbeth-this was her
name-was i'll a brown stuGy. She was
pondering Her reverie led her thoughts
back to the events of the previous year
the sudden death of her husband from
phthisis shortly after their wedding,
leaving her sole owner of the prosperous,
much freqrcnted inn; the improving of
their opportunity by many making
open or covert proposals fer her hand
and Tor the wealth whose pcssessor she
SO unexpectedly had become.
Ttbo,,ol a ,xri6ovz, T;chc{l, 1y-oc c+;Il
young and very fair to look upon, and
almost all the eligible young men of
B had done their best to capture
her heart, hard and--1ne lley, and had
failed alike III all.
The truth was that size had already
lost her heart About six months ago
the playfellow Of ker youth, Francois,
the son of ncighbors in her native vii
lage across the Alsatian border, had
come to B. and found employment
in butcher shop. The two had again
met, and though, under the circum-
stances, it cannot be termed love at first
sight, it may have, just the same, been
something very like it.
AT any rate they loved and had
agreed to get married as soon as the
year CT mourning was over, and this
was the eventful day set fer making ap-
plication at the city hall to have the
banns published
At last q creaking Of the door hinges
reused Lisbeth from her reverie, and
the impatiently looked for lover made
his appearance. But his countenance
was not wreathed in smiles; neither did
he look like all expectant bridegroom
whose dearest wish is about to be real
lied. He frowned, and, angrily throw
ing his new beaver hat ON the floor, took
distant seat without the pleasant
words of greeting she always used to
hear from his lips.
Lisbeth felt deeply hurt, but said
nothing.
Finally the young man, as if ashamed
OF his i'll hammered behavior, exclaim-
ed in fitful tone:
"Oh, Lisbeth, we can never marry!''
"No? And, pray, why not?'' she
asked care you tired of me?'
"Tired Of you, Lisbeth? You know
better than that. But haven't you heard
the Hews? The council refuses to grant
me citizen's S rights and the marriage Ii
eense. They are full Of animosity to-
ward you for refusing to wed one Of
their sons and for giving me, whom
they are pleased to call stranger and a
vagabond, the preference. 1t is true
em an Alsatian, but have as good
home as any OF them, and it is but
couple CT hours away from here, as they
well know"
$50 that is it?''
The resolute Lisbeth jumped up excit-
edly, her lovely face crimson as June
rose.
Come! Let us to the city hall at
once. We will see about it. If every
thing else fails, think my godfather,
the abbot cf R, will find way to
make them pliable." "
Tho xuo,.<I,x, l,,,,,~.<>...- e r,