The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-08-06
THE PlLoTsS TOWER,
OR,
Check to EngiaRd's Move.

On the 18th of November, 1862, the good
city of Dunkirk was in that peculiar stale
OF agitation which pervades bee hive when
its tenants are about to swarm News had
| that day been received that Louis XVI who
was then king OF France, had purchased the
| city from the English, TO whose share it had
fallen BY the treaty of 1858; and as :he sun
was sinking behind the horizon, the French
| squadron came into the Harbor with light
wind and anchored off the citadel. A hun
dred years previous. the French army com.
manded by the Duke OF CURE had rsvaeed
lbe town with fire and sword bur time
wears away all resentments, and the. Dun-
kirkers were now ready 10 swear allegiance
10 ltbe naughty monarch, who sought TO
make Paris the Dominan. city of Christians
| dom.
Tie quays of the city were thronged with
fishermen, who gazed on the French feet
with critical eyes, as they discussed the
models, riging, and general appearance of
The respective vessels. Merchants, noia-
ries, and priests, each wearing their pecu-
liar costumes, were also attracted TO the
wsler-sde. every one taking a great interest
in the coming change oi rule, save those
(and they were few in number) who were
on intimate terms with the English garrison.
The officers of this lorce, too, were exceed
ingly vexed, as most of them were COM
foriabiy located and loudly did they censure
The l., 1o,n IN
deed, they bui echoed the public sentiments
IN England Tor it was evident that the in
experienced monarch, fond of pleasure, and
iu need of ready cash had been eniiced into
the sale of fionrishing portion of his king
dom for iithe of it's value All of his min
listers had opposed the transfer, and when
they found their exeriions useless, they set
TO work to 81 hamper The sale with condi-
lions as to diminish The value of Dunkirk 10
the French.
The news soon reached the envirous. and
nowhere did il produce greater excitement
than in the collection of miserable cabins,
which dotted plain covered with frames of
brushwork upon which the fishermen cured
their spoil. Leaving their nets half spread
ont. the men had eoue to the quay the mo-
mept that the French squadron anchored,
and BY sunset most of their families had
followed them. In The Cabin OF Cornills
Bart, however, light twinkied as night
came on, and faint wreath of smoke curl
ed upwari from lie low chimney. Bart had
gone 10 the quay taking bis two sons-Gas.
per ard Jean-wilh him but his good wife
Catherine, like good housewife, remained
al home to prepare supper.
Her domestic zeal strong as il was, could
mol eclipse her curiosity though and every
time that she turned the johnny cakes OF
barley meal, which were being baked be-
lore the Gre, she gazed eagerly through the
small and only window of the cabin
Well, weI," che soIiloquised, "here the
cakes are done, and no one TO eat them
Nor do know thing. Dear, dear, but
women who keep house are uGlucky-'
here a rapid cannonading interrupted her,
bat she soon continued :-"Saluting at last
bang. bang-and do moi know what it's
ali about. Well, when the powder is burn,
] may look Tor my straggIers Tha; is. if
there are no fire works. Bat here comes
man and lwo toys-is il them ln
Soon familiar knock al the door dissipa-
ted the good woman's doubts, aaJ che has
tened 20 admit her husband.
"We.l, dame," said the burly fisherman,
you are waiting supper for US, are you
not ?n
''Thai am, Cornile; and i, was no, very
charitable in yon 10 stay away so long, for
you know my curiosity, at any rate, you tell
me often enough"
s.Never ind, Catherine serve supper, for
these lads are half starved, and as they eat
will give 700 all the derais."
Sand you, CorniIIe, have you left your
appetite on the quay T.
eyes, indeed The news weighs heavi-
Iy on my heart, and | do not feel like eating
morser'
'-Oar lady preserve Us what's TO hap
pen 2" cried the good woman as her anious
glance shot from husband 10 children.
81 will isII you" replied Cornlle. you
have heard that the King of France" and
as he sPokes the fisherman loyalty raised
his wooden cap, " has Ie-purchased Dun
kirk ;or forty million of francs"
''Cerainly, but lha, is good news for US
ail''
sAi first sight, Catherine, it seems so.-
But when one learns The conditions OF sale
il Is nnylhins bu, good news"
And what are these conditions ?"
What are they Why, every public
building is 10 be razed 10 The height of the
highest dwelling house. By the great white
whale. Dnnkirk fisheries, ,lhough worth mil