The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-08-14
THE KING OF THE MILL.
ny JOSEPH NEyIN DOYLE.

At la Rose, the NlllaR' H"'"if - g
,non the yeranda of the Hotter '"s'1'' G
his hat in his hand, his siho"'"s q
gbaven face ruddy and pleasant 10 ioo" II
,non. Brabon the drummer, VINO N"'''' /
nm from Montreal, TO ~. isN il
sionally on business, sat smoking quieF
~, in n chair that was tilted against the $
wall
Good evening"" said NJ. La Rose. c
Good evening. monsieur lie notalre! ]
answered Brabon. indoently. &
Then there followed little spell OF ST. /
,orce that was intensified by the clat- ,
ter of distant cow bells. I
Presently there appeared in the street
immediately before the hotel sort OF !
living fatasy-a singular dark-lace', '
old man, who strobe slowly past GA"
in loose robe of many bright colors'
His eyes had the unmistakable ana rest
less look OF the daft. On his head was y
crown of buttons; brass, silver pohe'
nearl. presumably sewn together on
card board and making a headgear OF re-
markable brilliancy. Behind MN
walked q gray haired, gray-eyed woman
sp ordinary rarb. Her look was clear
md steady; her demeanor in every way
was n commonplace woman. there was
something august in her carriage unac-
countably So perhaps, but as natur'i as
the studied pose of the other was con-
strained and unnatural. Her eyes were
set fairly upon the fantastic hgure DC
fore: but. ] declare. this is new!
nm evident interest beyond his ludicrouS
pomp and prcoccupation
II was not surprising then TO the no
tary that this apparition. emphasized III
the magic atmosphere Of the summer
twilight. should have made Brabon 70
rry out with establishment.
..Allors, What is this. monsieur?
have been in Saint Pyx many times be-
fore: but declare, this is new"
"a very pathetic affair il IS. i'rabon,
said tie notary. taking chair ard look
mo at his watch. to be assured he had
dime to tell the tale before going for his
customary evening chat with ". lie Cure
IN the prcsbytery rose garden.
There is a tale"
"Well. rs you will: a history. nothing
absorbing but very human. very touch
ING. Old Cesaire MoissoE. man with
large family. thrifty sober. nod-icar
mo man once owned the mill by TIT
River of Angels"
..yes I see il from here; the squa
white building near the cluster OF WI
COWS yonder."
Exactly. Well Re WINS mn
with considerable family. said, di
not? and when the epidemic of SINAI
,ox occurred in the vilage-that WI
many wears ago. monsieur-poor MOI
att
after another his wife and childre
nassed away. and he himself. indee
Till there was only left this son yep
rim. whom YOU saw go by inoihe'
since
eft left him so-the smallpox.
"No. He was not at home when 7
endemic occurred: he was at colep
Old Ccsairc managed to put ny ehou'
silver to educate the lad--the prisi''
Of his brood and NJ. lie Cure also g
tribntcd. for he had hopes that IephF
would become priest.
"Then. | presume. the shock OF =
great calamity unbalanced The you
mans mind.
.gThat may be pretty true, mohs'e
though for a long time after the an
he was thought 70 be perfectly SOW
mentally. Wen. Icphrin was onllge'
lcaye college and take up the bmsin
,f the mill--a lonely task it must III
been for one who had but just tas
tha sy,eets OF knowledge. Then. ey
luetv timber Of the mill must h
seemed TO him like ghost of the hal
laws when the place was btimm
with laughter and good cheer.
ale was not liked by the villagers
account of his silent and arrogant II
ocr: he was unlike any miller
had ever been known. Nhen the
h,bitants came with their rrists
received them with the grand air
seioncur of the old days who, amid
rourtlv encourage, received the iie'
his depcndcnts. It's like that alw'
orumhled the crones: poor par
an their children's minds with roc
nations of greatness! Poor old Ces
bimself-rcst to his bones-was
like this peacock. Cesaire knew
nIoce hon yieux miller is n m
IL his head be crammed with Latl
flour dust!
Everyone pitied Zcphrin, OF co
on account Of his great pereaNe'
md the business OF the mill suifert
serious retrogresslon III Soisclu'"
his singular demeanor. This cNcIu
ness. this hauteur, however, was !
tightly by the young folks OF the Va
and often of summers evening
his one for instance. they passed y
mill CRYING up at Zephrin, who in'
bly, porcd over his books in the
dorner window: Behold the XII
the mill,' Then with gestures OF
gravity. Think Of his mighty q
Of rats!'
"Oui.e So" said Barbon. they
al him into insanity with these
The crown! the robes. see now
they camel"
"Indrectly these taunts may
affected his mind, monsieur. lis
Gus attire and mcn are obViousi,