Morning journal and courier., 1886-09-15
A FAMILY BANQUET.
Am Interesting Event Translated From
 French Paper.

Translated from Le Binchois.l
 Last Tuesday (24thsof August) one of the
 most touching family entertainments took place in our city. MT. Augustin Lebrun, from New Haven, who thirty-six years ago had departed from us to look for his fortune in America, did return to pass three months in the midst of his family relations. He re- visited them last Tuesday to give last fare we'll before returning to his family here. In the morning he called together his brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces to assist at the celebration of the mass which he had or dered to ask God to bless his happy return.
 In the afternoon he gave them brotherly banquet at the best hotel of the city, con- ducted by MT. Alexis Goffaux. Mir. Augustin Lebrun related how he had left Paris with but the necessary amount to pay his passage to America; how at his arrival in the city of New York he was obliged to work with all his skill and fervor he possessed so as to be able to pay for his board and lodging; how little by little he had obtained 8 small bank account which by degrees and with many years' skillful labor had augmented so as to enable him to live now in the easy position he is in, and to build up one of the best shoe stores in New Haven.
 But he was filled by the desire to go back to Europe to see once again his dear rela- tions. He did not wish to die without going once more to embrace all those of his family members living whom he had left in his na- tive town.
 How his heart was beating when he again put his foot on the soil of Binche, the town in which he was born and brought up as child. His first visit was to the graves of his dear old father and loving mother. Re- turning from there he heard upon inquiry that one of his brothers was living near the railroad depot, whereto he rendered himself to see if he would be known. His brother was very young when he left, but his great resemblance to one of his older brothers soon told his identity.
 The dessert being served, the youngest of his brothers, MT. Emanuel Lebrun, stood up and in few touching words he drank to the health of his American brother.
 Then in his turn the editor, Mir. Ursner Lebrun, another brother, got up and ex- pressed himself in the following aHectionate terms:
 Let us lift our glasses to the health and happy permit me to tell him what are the sentiments which animate our hearts on his behalf. We will not repeat what great joy felt to see him again and tender letters which he had sent us from time to time that he had not forgotten us; though sepa rated by the vast ocean, he had left part of his heart s in Hs da5ge 3 ne in the bosom of & his fam to our breasts, to have him once more amongst 
 Notwithstanding the fatigues of a long sea travel in spite of the dangers to the water he would not resist the desire of his heart, he has followed the impulses of his brotherly love, he has bravod everything to come and sec again those still living whom he had left the old continent thirty-six years ago.
 We do not know how much gratitude we owe him for the pleasure he has procured We will not try to express in words what our hearts felt, as words are unable to render our feelings.
 What happy days have passed in his society. How sweet and agreeable was 1t to tighten again under his eyes the knots of brotherly love. With what respect have been kneeling all together at the tombs of our beloved parents who have not had the sweet consolation to see once more in this world their loving son.
 But all ends on this earth and the beautiful days of happiness and bliss have quickly passed away. To-day our dear brother is on the eve of new sep aration.
 You have wished, according to the old traditions of our family, to ask for your voyage back the of the Almighty. We do not doubt your return will ehectuate itself under the same good your arrival here. Soon you will be given back again to the affections of your dear wife and beloved children tell them how thankful we of the sacrifice which they have imposed upon themselves to allow you to separate from them during several months and to expose your self to the fatiRues of perous travel. Tell them that they have in ths city of Binche family who loves them, and If 1t is not given acquaintance in this world, she has the only wish to see them united in the other better world There