Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-06-18
Jacques Turgot's Treasure.
ny JcnS D. cHAMPLrN, JR.

Jacques IUfg0t : treasure.
ny JcHN D. CIIAMPLIN, JR.
The old house is still standing--a square
two.storied, hip-roofed building, With doubl,
galleries in front. The lower story is o.
red brick the upper Of wood, once white
now stained by half centurys storms.
grove of pecan and China trees enclosed
by snake fence hidden under a wild growth
Of Cherokee roses separates it from the
road, on the other side Of which, shut ID
by steep banks, flows the muddy current Of
Cane River. Before the Rigoet de Bon
Dieu formed, this was the main channel oil
Red River, but now that cratic stream runs
farther north, with Isle Brevele between il
and its ancient course.
In its day, this house was the most pre-
tentious dwelling in Natchitoches Parish
When Jacques Turgot came home after Sc
long an absence and built it, hardly tn,
cabin where his father had lived and died, the
Cote Joyeuse was struck with wonder Al
most generation had passed from the stage
since his exit. But few remembered him
and fewer recognized him. He had gont
away with scarcely coat to his back be
returned scattering gold with prodigalitJ
suggestive Of Fortunatus's purse. He bought
lands, and negroes, and cattle He added
a thousand arpents to the plantation, ant
built brick quarters for hundred hands
Curiosity was still further aroused wher
Jacques brought home his wife and his sol
she pale, sad-eyed woman, with mark
Of patient suffering in her face, he a lusty
boy of five years. She lived life Of rig
orous seeusiou, devotiDg herself to the car,
of Achile, upon whom she layished al
her love. With her the boy took prece
dence of everything. No pleasure was de
MED him, no wish of his was too extravagan
to be gratifed.
Between Jacques and his wife there wa
but little sympathy, and if the father bat
any affection for the sou be made no displa,
of it. His family cares appeared to ent
where most mems begin-with the establish
ment Of home. Scarcely we're his hearth
fires lighted when he began to lead wan
dering life, being absent often for weeks a
time. On the plantation everything wa
left TO the discretion and honesty OF thi
overseer 1t is doubtful if Jacques knew
all his negroes by sight.
Achille, ignored by his father and petteC
by his mother, grew up indolent, extrava
CANT and vain. His mothers death, which
happened when be was still young, left hin
free to follow his own impulses. Having
no white companions, he found associates
among the young negroes on the plantation
His will was law to them and he playeC
the tyrant to his hearts content. Will
the shrewd insight of their race, they saw
his weak point and profted by it, Thel
hattered his vanity, and taught him to be
lieve himself the impersonation of everl
virtue With the plantation for his world
Achile passed thus from boyhood to youth
and from youth to manhood.
One day Jacques Turgot discovered tina
he had son growing up in ideness. Hi
conscience smote him, and he repaired will
his pipe to the gallery to mediate. H
was aroused from his abstraction by som,
one hallooiug Emile Labat, of Cotile
was just riding in at the gate. jacques wa
struck by happy thought. Emile Laba
had an only daughter. Acbille shoulC
marry her.
Three months thereafter, Achille Turgo
and Coralie Labat became man aud wife
One year later Achlille was presented will
son at the cost of the mothers life, ant
Jaques Turgout became grandfather
Jacques had now nearly completed hi
third score years His hair and beard wer
streaked with white, and he was consciou
of failing strength. As if to make read,
for the inevitable change, he began to leat
a new life. He discontinued his absence
from home He paid close attention to th,
plantation, rode otteu through the growing
cotton, and called his overseer to stric
account lie cleared new lands, repaire,
buildings and fences, strengthened the lie
vees and planted fruit.trees and shade-trees
BY way Of atonement for his neglect o
Achille, he began to devote his leisure tim
to Achilles child Petit Jean, as BIZ
grandfather called him, gradually took
strong hold on his affections. AS the bo
grew up, he made him his constant com
panion. Ii he rode, Petit Jean was perch
ed on the pomme of his saddle; if he drov
to town, he sat beside him If he smoke,
10 tn e gallery, the boy was in his lap o
playing at his feet. Petit Jean returne
the old mans affections, and appeared new
er SO happy as when with him For hi
father the boy cared little, and Achile
bound up in his pleasures, seldom saw hi
sou.
As time passed on, Achille became NOR
and more dissipated, and Jacques began I
show great solicitude for the future, Wha
would become of Petit Jean when he wa
gone? The old man had long fits of depres
sion as the in6rmities Of age grew on hin
He would sit in his great chair in the CALLER
for hours, plugged in meditation. At sue
times nothing but the voice Of Petit Jea
could arouse him. For his boy he had al
ways smile and pleasant word but some
times he would try to escape even hin
There was a room on the ground-foor of th
house which none but he ever entered. Th
heavy shutters were never unbarred, the ke
never left his person. Into this room, 50
cred to his own use, he would often loo
himself, suffering 70 one to disturb him.
, One morning he announced his inteltio
of going to Natchitoches. For the frs
time he refused to listen to Petit Jeans en-
treaties TO be permitted to accompany hin
He repeled the boy gently but firmly. an
drove off alone. He returned about sunset
accompanied by NJ. Jean Babtiste Courtoi'
his friend and legal adviser. 1t was motto
cd when he entered the house that bis fac
wore less anxious look, aud that bis ste
was lighter than usual. As his graudso
sprang to meet him, he clasped him in hi
arms and said IL was grieved to refus
thee, Petit Jean, but thou shalt be recon
Tensed." He and NJ. Courtois then entsre,