He Refused To Take The Money, Which I Threw Down
On The Table; And The Horses Being Ready, Stepped Into The Coach,
Ordering The Postillions To Drive On.
Here I had certainly
reckoned without my host.
The fellows declared they would not
budge, until I should pay their master; and as I threatened them
with manual chastisement, they alighted, and disappeared in a
twinkling. I was now so incensed, that though I could hardly
breathe; though the afternoon was far advanced, and the street
covered with wet snow, I walked to the consul of the town, and
made my complaint in form. This magistrate, who seemed to be a
taylor, accompanied me to the inn, where by this time the whole
town was assembled, and endeavoured to persuade me to compromise
the affair. I said, as he was the magistrate, I would stand to
his award. He answered, "that he would not presume to determine
what I was to pay." I have already paid him a reasonable price
for his dinner, (said I) and now I demand post-horses according
to the king's ordonnance. The aubergiste said the horses were
ready, but the guides were run away; and he could not find others
to go in their place. I argued with great vehemence, offering to
leave a loui'dore for the poor of the parish, provided the consul
would oblige the rascal to do his duty. The consul shrugged up
his shoulders, and declared it was not in his power. This was a
lie, but I perceived he had no mind to disoblige the publican.
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