The record-union., 1896-11-22
A ROMANCE OF ST. PIERRE.

A RUMANCE UF 81. PlERRE.
| (Written for the Record Union" by
! Len)
| It was when Froissart was French
Consul at Halifax that an acquaint-
ance with his charming family led to a
| trip to st. Pierre, small island on the
coast of Newfoundland belonging to
! the French, some twelve miles from
Point May.
| 1t was early in July when the little
coast steamer, black of hull and smoke
stack banded with vivid scarlet,
steamed from her wharf bearing as
passengers a congenial party, guests
of the Consul's family.
4 Chebucto Bay was never bluer, the
fortified islands emerald gems of beauty
on it's broad bosom. On we steamed
past the buoys, like painted tops rock
ing on the waves. Past the lighthouse
on Chebucto Head; over the waves till
day slipped almost unperceived over
twilght's bridge to night, and the dawns
| came and past till one found us steam
ing through black fleet of fishing YES
! ses at anchor, and facing a small fort
with a row of menacing cannon grin
ming from grass-hidden portfolios. The
English and French flags flew to the
peak. The deck gun was fired in salute
| to the fort. The fort answered wei
come volley, a rattling jar as we
| touched the wharf, and in few min
utes we We're trying to walk steadily
down the slippery gang plank.
Early as it was, dense crowd
greeted u.s. most of the people shod with
wooden shoes that clumped noisily as
they crowded curiously UP. Knitted
caps of red adorned their heads; French
soldiers in uniform, gendarmes In
cooked hats and swords, looking as II
they had stepped out of some old pic
| lures.
The home of the Froissarts was not
| far away, so we walked, followed by a
unique procession of dogs of all sizes,
harnessed to quaint carts like boxes on
wheels, loaded with our luggage.
Horses and cattle are rarely seen.
said our host, las they have to be
brought from the mainland. But if you
want brandy pure and undefled, you
get it cheap, for no duty is charged
and he paused before cabaret with
open doorway, showing a whitesanded
floor.
A rosy-cheeked hostess glanced at us
curiously as she polished her shining
glasses and bowed to our friend.
We all declined his offer of morning
dram and moved on up the narrow
winding streets like alleys huddled to-
gether for warmth, the cool breeze
waiting to us many fishy odors that we
| grew quite accustomed to before oul
visit was over.
Installed in our pleasant quarters that
commanded a fine view of the Cathe-
dral, Government House, Casino ano
Cathedral square, we rested from oul
trip till afternoon, when the beauty OF
the clear, cool day tempted us to visi'
the fish flakes, and watch the fishermen
dress the days catch in a deft way that
deprived the fish of all but the edi-
BILE matter, known as salted, picklec
or dry cod and haddock
THE humble fish ball has many evo-
lutions before it is evolved into one
and the dangers that were passed
through by these men who secure Its
first principles are great, / assure you,
said Mr.. Froissart, as he guided us
around the hundred of acres literally
carpeted with fish, each evening gath
cred up and piled under canvas OF
when a shower is coming on, thousand:
of busy hands all occupied.
so no romance can possibly b'
wedged In with fish," laughed my
friend in my ear. Yet he was mistaken
Dan Cupid roams the world his hap
py hunting grounds have no defined
boundary line. When he sees the hori
zon's purple rim that, too, vanishes a
his warm approach and enlarges hi
territory.
The Consul had a son, tall, mic
looking young fellow, admired by hi
pretty sisters, adored by his mother
and yet he had lost his heart to Marce
Narbonne, a child Of the people, beau
tiful and good Still when do thes
count when pride is judge. And tina
the course of this love did not rul
smooth was for me to find out
l think / see Marcel as 1 saw he
then for the first time in the quain
old Cathedral with the star-studded
blue vault overhead. She was kneel
ing and the crimson glory of tn
stained east window enveloping hel
Her long dusky braids swept the floor
her large dark eyes We're closed AN
their long lashes fell on the pink
flushed cheeks, her small hands claspe'
rosary as the red lips murmured
hurried prayer.
. Our footsteps on the bare stone foo
startled her and she arose and flashe'
, | quickly out Charley, our eScorl
flushed hotly as he glanced at his sis
ters beautiful, impassive face. II
hurriedly commenced to tell us the his
tory of the old church and the monu
. ments on it's time stained walls. Evi
IDENTIFY his heart was not in his tas
and his absent minded replies vexed hi
sister.
After this our party separated and
; strolled off alone to do some sightsee
ing on my own account. The walk I
Calvary Hill, with it's tall cross glisten
ing in the sun, attracted me, and ono
up the steep hillside / sat down to res
and dream The sound of voices dis
; turbed me and l recognized woman
voice in the soft patois of the island
And then Charley Froissart's boyis
tones, saying:
Marcel, you know I love only yot
but my father will not consent to on
marriage. I've come to say goodby
I'm off to Quebec next steamer day
You will promise to be true, will yo
not?"
They came in sight, he holding he
hand and gazing down at the pretty
flushed cheeks so near him. The gin
drew her hand away, covered her fac