Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-26


 TN r ESE-- Louis XVI, who was i&{ then king of France,
 had purchased the
 city from the English to whose share it had fallen by the treaty of 1858; and as the sun was sinking be- hind the horizon, the French squadron came into the harbor with a light wind, and anchored off the citadel.
 The quays of the city were thronged with fishermen, who gazed on tho French fleet with critical eyes, as they discussed the models, rigging, and general appear ance of the respective vessels. Mer- chants, notaries and priests, each wear ing their peculiar costumes, Wero also attracted to the water side, every one taking a great interest in the coming change of rule, save those who (and they were few in number) were on intimate terms with the English garrison. Tho officers of this force, too, were exceed ingly veXed, as most of them wero con- fortably located, and loudly did they cen- sure their young King Charles. In so doing, indeed, they but echoed the public sentiment in England for it was evident that the inexperienced monarch, fond of pleasure, and in need of ready cash, had been enticed into the sale of a tiourshing portion of his kingdom for a tithe of it's value.
 The news soon reached tho environs, duu uoWlltlC uAO IL pAouuCc d ,IColcl SA- citement than in the collection of miSer- able cabins, which dotted plain, cov- cred with frames of brushwood, upon which the fishermen cured their spoil. Leaving their nets half spread out, the men had gone to the quay the moment that the French squadron anchored, and by sunset most of their families had fol- lowed them. In the cabin of Cornille Bart, however, light twinkled as night nd fain nf nf nl-p curled upward from the low chimney. Bart had gone to the quay, taking his two sons, Casper and Jean, with him but his good wife Catherine, like good housewife, remained at home to prepare supper.
 Her domestic zeal, strong as it was, could not eclipse her curiosity though, and every time that she turned the john nycakes of barley meal, which werc be- ing baked before the fire, she gaZed eagerly through the small and only win- dow of the cabin.
 "Well, well," she soliloquized, there the cakes are done, and no one to cat them. Nor do I know a thing. Dear, dear, but women who keep house arc un- lucky" Here a rapid cannonading in- terruptcd, but she soon confined: ''Sa- luting at last-bang, banS-and do not know what it's all about. We'll when tho powder Is burnt l may look for my stragglers. That is, if there are no fire works. But here comes man and two boys-is it them?'
 Soon familiar knock at the door dissi- pated the good woman's doubts, and she haStencd to admit her husband.
 ''Well, dame," said the burly fisher man, ''you are waiting supper for us, are you not?'
 "That I am, Cornille; and it was not very charitable in you to stay away so
  i rate, you tell me often enough" ] "Never mind, Catherine; serve SUD- per, for these lads are half starved, and as they eat will give you all the de- i tails.''
 And you, Cornille, have you left your appetite on the quay?"
 'Yes, indeed! The news weighs heav- | fly on my heart, and do not feel like eating a morSel!"
 ''Our lady preserve us, what is it to happen?" cried the good woman as her anxious glance shot from husband to children.
 "I will tell you," replied Cornille "You have heard that the king of France, and as he spoke the fisherman Loyalty raised his woolen cap, "has pur- chased Dunkirk for 5,OOO,OOO francs"
 Certainly; but that is good news for us all"
 "At first sight, Catherine, it seems so But when one learns the conditions of sale, it is anything but good news"
 "And what are these conditions?"
 "What are they? Why, every public building is to be raised to the height of the highest dwelling house. By the great white whale, Dunkirk fisheries, though worth millions now, will not the n be worth that morsel of barley crust!'
 "But how will the cutting down of the fortress do this? Faith. I have often thought that it was more cost than pr fit.
 No one cares for the fortress, Cath crime; but for the church steeple--the beacon by day and the directing light by night for those who enter the port. No fisherman will dare to venture out-no coaster will dare venture in to purchase in short, Dunkrk is ruined!'
 There was an interval of gloomy si- lence, but, at length, Cornille said
 "Come, my boys, go to bed. You must got up early tomorrow
 "And you" said his wife. twill you go to bed now also?"
 "No! I do not feel like sleeping now and will take a smoke but you need not wait fer me. Let us repeat our evening prayer" And all kneelng, repeated to- gether a beautiful canticle, for in those days the French were a religious people
 Tho lads were soon between thei, ] coarse brown sheets and Catherine throwing herself upon the bed, appar ently went to sleep. Cornilie sat for nearly an hour silently watching the ctroling smoke of his pipe, and then with stealthy tread went to the door As he shot back the bolt there was a eligEt movement on Catherines bed which arrested his progress, but as she did not speak he opened the door, closce l it gently behind him, and set out fol Dunilirk. He had not gone moro then two-thirds of the way when ha hea:s VAni.i foatsteDs coming behind him. N;