Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-26


 ''I knew" said she, 'that you had concealed something from mo-"
 My poor Catherine. it was that you need not be alarmed. We fishermen have agreed to meet tonight in the riea5's garden, to sec if something can not fr done to save our beacon-tower. Bs. yol see that women could do noth- i.,,t ;.O such meeting.
 "aaints preserve us but if you men ravo, so much for the steeple, do you suppo le that we women do not care for tii hurch3 There we were married. 1T our children were baptized, and tI>:'> we joined in masses for our de- ceased parents. o, Cornille, let the wonl,n pray that the church may be spa;cl, if nothing more, for fervent prayer can never jure any enterprise"
 "Thats what I think, mother" said 8 soft voice: and Jean Bart the youngest son. came from behind fish flake. He had followed his mother, but feared his fathers anger, and hid himself until he could see how she was received.
 Another hand at the oar" murmured the fisherman.
 "Dont send us back" entreated both mother and son.
 "Wen, well," said CorniIle, "Come along"
 Half an hour afterward the trio en- tered the priests garden, where they found about q hundred fishermen, some of them, like Bart, accompanied by their families. All were in groups, discussing the threatened demolition of their church. In the center, surrounded Ly the oldest of the party, was the venerable priest. When all who were expected had arrived, he stood upon wheel-barrow and re- quested silence. Every head was uncov- ercd-every tongue was silent. My children" said the priest, "you asked me to permit you to assemble hero tonight and l granted your request. Now, have any of you any project for saving our dear city. with our loved church, from the parting destruction of the English?'
 Several propositions were made, but the priest shook his head as he heard them. Each one was more impossible than was it's predecessor, and all were based upon some act of violence which would have drawn the wrath of both nations upon the city.
 Catherine protiting by moments silence addressed the priest.
 'Supposing, reverend father. that we woEen leading our children go in pro. cession to see the English commissioner, and impiore him to spare our toweri"
 Ut would be useless, my daughter, for England seeks to ruin our port that hers may flourish. Your idea is hope less.''
 There was murmur of discontent through the crowd, and one of the oldest fishermen, elbowing his way up to the | priest, and with a cOuntenance purple with rage, said, or rather growled.
 "Look here, father, we hoped that you would head us in saving our church and tower, but you appear disposed to throw cold water on all our projects. Indeed, everything that is suggested you object to. I didn't expect it. "
 Master Perron, you have the fire of youth under the debilitated envelope of age; but you do not possess the wisdom that belongs to your gray beard. I do not wish to throw cold water upon any reasonable project; but those sugges- tions thus far are wholly impracticable. Neither, my children, can suggest any, thing myself and if heaven does not aid us, why"
 mured several voices.
 Not at all," cried a shrill, childish voice.
 ''Who spoke? What boy is that?" said Cornille Bart, in a severe tone.
 ''Your son, Jean, father; and think have the idea which you all seek. Do you care much for our cabin at the tlakes?"
 'Jean, cried Cornille. ''I will thrash you if you say another word
 "Form sake" said the priest, "let the lad speak. Remember that God has often chosen a child to deliver those whom he loves, and Jeans thoughts may be like the pebbles in Davids sling"
 ''Well then, Jean, as the priest wishes it, go on, but speak quickly. As for our cottage, it is all we have to shelter us but will cheerfully sacrifice it, if 1t will do any good at tho present critical mo- ment
 "Then, father, tear down our cottage tomorrow night and rebuild it before morning upon the top of the church tower. It will then-dwelling house as it is and will be-be bigger than any other edifee in Dunkirk, and the city will be saved!'
 burst of applause hushed by a ges- ture of the priest, hailed this bright thought
 "Silence, my children" said he. ..You see now that Providence protects us. And as for you, my lad, you will be spoken of hereafter"
 "Its not to be praised that made the plan, murmured Jean. "But I love Dun kirk, and I hate the English. There it is."
 But you will become famous, my boy, and your mother will be proud of you. Now friends, shall we execute the chlid's plan?"
 "Yes, yes. Once get Bart's courage on the top of the tower, and we are safe."
 ''Well, then, meet here tomorrow night at sunset with tools and materials as you can conceal under your sea-jackets Mastor Perran here will act as fireman, and tell each one what to bring. And now let us implore a blessing upon our delib- erations, and ask a continuance of Divine favor for to-morrow's night york;
 The next the day the priest, accom- panied by Cornille Bart, called upon Mon sieur Wostyn, one of the richest mer chants and shipowners of the city. They found him sad and thoughtful, for tho destruction of the beacon tower would b, the downfall of his fortune. But his countenance frightened up as he heard of the project of little Jean Bart. ''Dunkirk is savedr' he exclaimed clapping his hands joyfully. "And as i to aid you in accomplishing your task un discovered by the English, Providenc, has so ordered matters that all tn, officers will pass the night on board tn, French squadron. As for the soldiers, few jugs of Dutch gin will quiet them."
 ''How?" said the priest.
 ''Why, some strange fancy, as thought, prompted the Count d'Estrade.