The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1891-11-20
EVANGELINE.
PREPARED FOR NEwTOwN LITERARY AMI
SOCIAL CIRCLE BY MRS d. G. BEERS.

torical facts, the knowledge of which led
to the production of work which is al
lowed, by competent critics, to be mas
terpiece of its author and which, we shall
soon realize, contains some of the most
exquisite bits of word painting in the
English language.
The story is one of woman's enduring
affection, coupled with loving service to
others. 1t may be somewhat ideal, but
the contemplation of such life, even if
imaginary, cannot fail to purify, ennoble
and elevate the hearts and minds of those
who makeit.a study.
The scene of the first part of the story
is laid in what was formerly known as
Acadie or Arcadia, a word signifying
place or region, or, as Longfellow adapts
it to his story, "home of the happy"
This region is now known as a part of
Nova Scotia. The little village of Grand
Pre- lay on the Minas Basin, an inlet of
the Bay of Fundy and on the banks of
Annapolis river, which empties into the
Minas Basin just at this place. There
now exists in Kings county, in the town
ship of Horton, a village known as Grand
Pre-.
Nova Scotia had been for many years,
by turns, under French and English rule,
but in the year 1713 was finally ceded to
the English and has ever since remained
in their possession. At this time, the in
habitants were mostly French farmers
and fishermen, whose ancestors, nearly
hundred years before, had emigrated
here from the west coast of France,
which, as we are told, was marshy re-
gion not unlike that in the Minas Basin.
Farming operations were carried on very
much in the same way as in their far-off
homes and, IN this new country, they
found it necessary to construct dikes to
resist the encroachments of the sea.
Here, in this fertile valley, dwelt a
simple, kindly people, prosperous and
happy, busy with their farms, their spin
ming and weaving. The parish priest was
their acknowledged leader and adviser,
reverenced and beloved by old and young
alike. They were free from envy and
distrust, and needed ''neither locks to
their doors nor bars to their windows
"There the richest was poor,
And the poorest lived in abundance"
The picture our author gives of this
little hamlet is unexcelled and fingers
long in the memory.
These people were allowed to enjoy
their homes undisturbed for many years,
the English giving themselves little con-
Germ about the colonists and exercising
only a nominal control over them. When,
however, they began to make settlements
in Nova Scotia, trouble arose. In 1749,
they founded and settled Halifax and
there soon followed disputes and quar-
rels as to the boundaries of Arcadia.
One special grievance was the demand
made by the English that the French
settlers should take the oath of allegi-
ance. This they refused to do,as often as
the demand was made and, at last, a
state of open warfare existed between
the French and English settlers and the
latter saw no other way out of the diff
Guilty than to get rid of the troublesome
people, by fair means or foul; to their
shame be it said, they resorted to the
latter.
In September, 1866, a proclamation was
issued ordering all the male inhabitants
of the village to assemble in the parish
church on a certain day. 1t was under
stood to be an important meeting and,
unsuspecting the stratagem that was be-
ing used, about AIS men and boys assem-
bled in the church. A guard was placed
around the building and not enc allowed
to escape.
The people were informed that the
King had decided to move them and their
families out of the country. They were
kept in the church, under strict watch,
until, for greater safety, they were NOV
ed to some ships anchoring in the harbor ;
afterward, they were transferred to trans
ports, with their wives and children and
what household goods they hurriedly
gathered together.
In the excitement and confusion of en-
barking, families were separated and, in
some cases, never reunited. They were
sent to different parts of the country, as
far west as Pennsylvania, to North Car
DINA, Massachusetts, to our own State OF
Connecticut. This cruel and heartless
deed has justly excited indignation to-
ward its perpetrators.
) 1t cannot be excused in any degree, I'm.
: less in view of the fact that, at this peri.
cd of their history, the French power
. was menacing the English and there
seemed to be danger of the former gain
ing the ascendancy. Had it not been fol
these unhappy occurrences, Longfellow
might never have given TO an admirine
world the touching and beautiful story
. of Evangeline, Of which / will briefly
sketch the outline.
Evangeline was the fair daughter Of
the wealthiest farmer of the village OF
Grand Pre-, Benedict Bellefontaine. Al
! she grew to beautiful womanhood, she
had many suitors, but Gabriel Lajeu,
nesse, the son of Basil, the blacksmith
was the one who wooed successfully. A
!, the time the story opens, the prepare
| tions for the marriage were nearly com
pleted. The notary had drawn up thu
official papers naming the BRIDES dover
the wedding feast was spread, the fol
!. lowing day and the forenoon was spen
by the simple hearted villagers in merr,
making and dancing to the music of oil
Michael's fiddle.
aOld folk and young together and childrel
mingled among them.
!. Fairest Of all the maids was Evangeline, Ben
edict's daughter;
Noblest of all the youths Gabriel, son Q
the blacksmith
In the midst of all this happiness cam
!. the proclamation of the governor, an
nouncing the decree Of their removal. I
: fell like a thunder bolt from clear sky
Overcome by the suddennessof the blow