Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-10-07

ure; or 10 say what l thought of the
towns. all new and strange to me,
through which we passed. Enough
that we went by way of Limoges,
ChateauToux and Orleans, and that at
Chateauroux we learned the failure of
one hope we had formed. We had
thought that Beers when joined there
by his troopers would not be able to get
relays; and that on this account we
might by travelling post overtale him;
and possibly slip by him between that
place and Paris. But we learned at
Chateauroux that his troop had re-
ceived fresh orders to go TO Orleans
and await him there, the result being
that he was able to push forward with
relays so far. He was evidently in hot
haste. For leaving there with his
horses fresh he passed through Anger
vile, 40 miles short of Paris, at noon,
whereas we reached it on the evening
of the same day-the sixth after leav-
ing Caylus.
We rode into the yard of the inn-a
large place, seeming larger in the dusk
$50 tired that we could scarcely slip
took the four horses, and led them
across to the stables, the poor beasts
hanging their heads and following
meekly. We stood a moment stamp
ing our feet and stretching our legs.
The place seemed in hustle, the clat-
ter of pans and dishes proceeding from
the windows over the entrance, with
glow of light and the sound of feet hur-
rying in the passages. There were
men, too, half dozen or so, standing
at the door of the stables, while others
leaned from the windows. One or two
lar thorns just kindled glimmered here
and there in the semi-darkness, and III
a corner two smiths We're shoeing
horse.
We were turning from all this to go
in, when we heard jeans voice raised
in alteration, and thinking our rustic
servant had fallen into trouble, we
walked across to the stables near which
he and the horses were still lingering.
''Well, what is it?" said, sharply.
NThey say that there IS no room for
the horses Jean answered, querulous-
~, scratching his head; half sullen,
half cowed, country servant all over.
"And there is notl" cried the fore
most of the gang about the door, hasten
ing to confront us in turn. His tone
was insolent, and it needed but half an
eye to see that the fellows were in
clined to back him up. He stuck his
arms akimbo and faced us with an i'm
pudent smile. A lanthorn ON the
ground beside him throwing an uncer-
tain light ON the group, saw that they
all wore the same badge.
Come" said, sternly, 'the stables
are large, and your horses cannot fill
them. Some room must be found for
mine"
''To be sure! Make way for the
king!" he retorted. While one jeered
give lie roll" and the rest laughed.
Not good-humoredly, but with touch
of spitefulness.
Quarrels between gentlemen's serv-
ants were as common then as they are
today. But the masters seldom con-
descended to interfere. LET the fell
lows fight it out" was the general SEN
timent. Here, however, poor Jean was
overmatched, and we had no choice but
to see to it ourselves.
Come, men, have care that you do
not get into trouble,' urged, restrain
ing Croisette by a touch, for by no
means wished to have repetition of
the catastrophe which had happened at
Caylus. These horses belong to the
vicomte de Caylus. If your master be
friend of his, as may very probably
be the case, you will run the risk of get
ting into trouble"
L thought heard, as I stopped speak
ing, subdued muttering, and fancied
l caught the words: "Papegot! Down
with the Guises!" But the spokesman's
only answer aloud was ''Cock-a-doodle-
doo!" Observation-Disclosures" he re-
peated, tapping his arms in defiance.
''IIere is a, cock of fine hackle." And
so on, and so forth, while he turned
grinning to his companions, looking
for their applause.
1 was itching to chastise him, and yet
hesitated, lest the thing should have its
serious side, when a new actor APP
peared, Shame, you brutes!" cried
shrill voice above us-in the clouds it
seemed. looked up. and saw two girls,
coarse and handsome, standing at a
window over the stable, light between
them. For shame! Don't you see that
they are mere children? Let them be-
cried one
The men laughed louder than ever;
and for me, I could not stand by and be
called a child. Come here" L said,
reckoning to the man in the doorway.
Come here, you rascal, and l will give
you the thrashing you deserve for
speaking to a gentleman!"
He lunged forward, heavy fellow,
taller than myself and six inches wider
at the shoulders. My heart failed me
q little as I measured him. But the
thing had to be done. If was slight, L
was wiry as hound. and in the excite
ment had forgotten my fatigue.
snatched from Marie a loaded riding
whip he carried, and stepped forward.