The Blacksmith's Hammer; or, The Peasant Code: A Tale of the Grand MonarchSue, Eugène
History
The Blacksmith's Hammer; or, The Peasant Code: A Tale of the Grand Monarch
Sue, Eugène
France -- History -- Louis XIV, 1643-1715 -- Fiction
Tichelaar, the informer against my brother, was a short time ago
summoned by him, in his capacity of _ruart_ of Putten, before the
court of that district to answer the charge of attempted rape.
Tichelaar was convicted and a sentence was pronounced fastening
upon him the stain of moral turpitude. That man, now branded with
infamy, sought to revenge himself against my brother by a horrible
calumny. Furthermore, we know from reliable sources the following
details: Three weeks ago Tichelaar went to my brother's house at
Dortrecht, and requested a private interview with him. My
sister-in-law, his wife, having opened the door to the man and
admitted him to the house, but fearing (after what had happened to
me) that he might have evil designs against the _ruart_, ordered
one of the servants to keep near the door of the room, and to be on
the alert, should Tichelaar attempt violence against my brother.
The servant testified under oath before the court commissioner that
having been posted near the door, he heard Tichelaar offer to
reveal certain secrets to the _ruart_, to which my brother, knowing
Tichelaar for a dishonorable character, answered:
"If what you have to say is something proper, I shall be ready to
hear you and give you help; if, however, it is something improper,
do not mention it to me; it would be better for you, because I
would immediately notify the regency or the court."
The servant further testified that thereupon several words were
exchanged, and Tichelaar closed the interview saying:
"Seeing that monsieur does not wish me to reveal my secret to him,
I shall keep it for the present, and shall later disclose it to
others."
My brother has confirmed the deposition, and Tichelaar's testimony
being the only one against my brother, I can not see that there is
room to apprehend aught in this affair. I do not doubt that he will
be soon set free. There is nothing left to regret but the disturbed
condition of the times and the wickedness of our enemies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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