Griggs courier., 1891-11-06

@Wnen ne appeared, throwing one OF
his ropes over the first hook of the
steeple, there was murmur of con-
sternation from the watching crowd;
but terror became paroxysm when
Jean, near the middle of his ascent, al
most lost his equilibrium by the break
ing of an iron eaten by rust. The up
turned faces were pale with emotion,
but the dexterous slater quickly
grasped higher hook.
Nevertheless. he was long in mount
ing. 1t was nearly three o'clock in the
afternoon when he touched the base of
the cross at the top of the steeple. He
lashed himself fast thereto, feet and
body, and began his first work-the
painting of the flag. In about half an
hour cheers and applause broke from
the crowd, the national colors hoated
over the steeple.
The hardest part, though, was yet to
be done: the weathercock had to go
up. Two feet more to mount; and to
crown the danger it was the cross that
had to be climbed, that is to say, mere
bar of iron.
In December it is soon night; already
the watchers saw but family outlined
form amid the mists of twilight, and
they began to grow uneasy. How
would poor Jean Renard manage now?
He could no longer see to work, and
now in greater danger than ever.
Suddenly small light showed in the
darkening night. Jean Renard, being
a careful man, had thought to carry
Il h
could be seen but that tiny light.
cleaning on high like star lost in the
clouds, and the anxious crowd began to
disperse.
Jean continued working.
On the morrow, at dawn, the early
risers of Grenouilleville saw fright
full sight.
Jean Renari hung, head downwards,
from the top of the steeple, his feet
still held by his ropes.
The unfortunate man had doubtless
lost his balance, and in falling his
work apron had turned backwards,
thus concealing his face. He no longer
moved; dead, probably, some hours
since.
The cure, who was at once arprised,
expressed his sentiments in intolerable
form:
"Unlucky fellow! Well, at least, he
had put back the weathercock!'
"Yes," was replied, ''but we cannot
got down."
"That is true" said the priest; SIT
must be brought down, but who will
do it?"
THAT, M. 1e Cure, is your busi-
ness. Get workmen from the city, if
you must, at no matter what cost; the
body of Jean Renard must not remain
up there"
Get workmen from the city-that
was very expensive, and the cure hesi-
tated, but it had to be done. just then
it was learned in the village that the
priest had pushed his avarice to the
point of trying to get his weathercock
repaired for nothing, and feelings of
aversion for him developed in the
breasts of his parishioners.
A subscription was opened for the
orphans of the tiler, and the same day
hundred francs were paid in; little,
but the people of Grenouilleville were
not rich. A man had gone to the city,
but they asked two hundred francs, and
the cure found that ridiculously exor-
bitant So the next day the corpse
being still suspended from the steeple,
funeral ceremonies were held in front
of the great church door, draped for
the occasion; and all Grenouilleville
joined in the last prayer for Jean
Renard.
But to inter the body, it had to be
got down from its lofty perch. The
fellow-citizens of the slater this time
showed great decision. They would
have the body, and, if necessary, would
force the cure himself to go and get it.
When that person left the church, he
found himself confronted by threat
eIing crowd.
mo, M. lie Cure. He shall not stay
up there; it is an outrage!"
''My good friends, am quite of your
opinion; so get him down!'
''You shall go yourself, since you re-
fuse to pay some one else to CO." and al
ready the most audacious, the anti-cler-
ical faction, pushed the cure backwards
towards the church.
Thoroughly alarmed, he at length
exclaimed:
''It is impossible; do not know how
to climb on roofs. I'll pay! Illpay!'
''They ask two hundred francs to
come from the city," cried the men on
all sides.
"Oh!-but I'll give themv'
''Stop! stop!' cried a voice. "I'll do
the job for hundred francs," and a |
man forced his way towards the cure,
through the amazed villagers.
''Jean Renard! Jean Renard!" burst |
from their lips
It was indeed Jean. He explained in
q few words how he had planned to
trick the cure. who meant to get the
better of him. After his work was fin
ishcd he came down, entered the bell
tower, and dressed wooden figure in
his clothes; he then remounted and
hnng his efigy from the steeple.
But efigy or not, it was dishonor
to Grenouilleville, suspended from
their church spire, and must remain
there no longer.