The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-12-06
ST. DENIS.

is an ancient stone mouse, SAID TO nave
been the home, nearly 200 years ago, of
Jugereau St. Denis, a French explorer
and adventurer, and his wife, Dona
Maria, the beautiful daughter of a
Spanish officer.
No more gallant figure than St. De-
mis- steps out from the shadows of the
past. He was born in Canada, spent his
childhood and early youth in France,
where he was educated and had for his
companions young men Of the better
class. He returned to Canada, and for
some years took an active part in affairs
there.
He is described as of majestic fig
ure, trained in the French military
schools of manners the most courteous,
of strong character, warm heart, of
power of speech peculiarly winning and
of undaunted bravery.
In TIA he led band of hunters and
trappers from Canada down into Loui-
siana. We know he built fort at Mac
ogdoches and left the greater part of his
followers to garrison it. With 10 men
and a number of Indian guides he
crossed the Sabine river and penetrated
into what is now Texas. As he jour
ueyed he met with various Indian
tribes, and seems to have had no trou-
BILE in making all of them his friends.
At last he reached the Spanish posts
on the Rio GIande. At San Juan Bap-
tista he announced to Villesecas, the
commander there, that he came to buy
beeves. horses and supplies. and also to
establish closer and more friendly rela-
tions between the French and Spanish
territories.
This was all very well, but st. De-
mis- most probable object was to acquire
all the country over which he had
marched for his king, Louis XIV, who
had shadowy claim to it by virtue of
some early explorations of La Sale
How to deal with the newcomers
bothered Villesecas a great deal. After
many days of waiting and of those ex-
asperating delays we of the present day
know so we'll in our intercourse with
Spaniards, st. Denis sent a message to
the governor of Coahuila, telling his
mission and asking the privilege Of
trade.
Now, Villesecas had daughter, a
very beautiful daughter, named Maria
Given a handsome, vivacious young
Frenchman and beautiful Spanish girl
daily meeting, and all who read know
what came of it. St. Denis fell in love
with her-an honest and sincere passion
it was-and she in turn loved him. The
beginning of love was the beginning of
trouble.
For at the same time st. Denis sent
his message to the governor Villeseoas
sent a letter to the same parsonage.
This letter expressed suspicious as to
the object of st. Denis visit and also
told of the love affair of the Frenchman
and Dona Maria. The governor was
in love with her himself and sutton
for her hand. 1t was for st. Denis
case of putting his head in the lions
mouth and then twisting his tail.
Back came the messengers and back
also came troop Of cavalry with orders
to seize st. Denis and bring him to
the governors seat, Montclova, forth
with. At Montclova St. Denis was
heavily ironed and thrown into prison.
When he had had few days experience
of the horrors and cruelties of a Span
ish prison. the governor, Gaspardo de
Anaya, came to see him, expecting no
doubt to find him worn out, broken
spirited and quite tractable, willing to
grant anything for freedom.
The Spaniard told his captive that if
he would give up Dona Maria he
would be free. ST Denis Indignantly
scorned the proposal His position was
as desperate as a mans could well be,
alone where it was impossible to appeal
to any one, stranger in land always
heartless and cruel to strangers, sus
| pected of designs against the state, and,
worse than that, in the power of a man
who loved the woman who loved him.
1t is said Hell hath no fury like a
woman scorned." So can it be said,
Earth has no ally like a woman who
loves you.
Dona Maria learned of her lovers
plight by receiving a letter from the
governor telling her of it. The letter
also informed her that if she did not
agree to marry the writer, st. Denis
would be put to death.
The high spirited beauty rose equal
to the occasion. Her reply to his sooun-
derlcy was positive refusal. More than
that, she wrote that in case st. Denis
met his death she herself, or some one
for her, would put knife into the gov
ernor's cowardly heart. The governor
must have been impressed, for st. De-
mis- did not die just then.
Dona Maria spent no time in delays.
She at once wrote to the viceroy at the
City of Mexico, the viceroy having alb
solute power, standing in place Of his
king, over all South America and a
| great part of North America.
She told of st. Denis and his visit,
told of their mutual love- told of the
baseness of the governor Of Coahuila
and of his proposals and threats, told
also of St Denis prominence as a sub
ject of the French king, how his fate
would surely be inquired into and
avenged "This man has been unjustly
imprisoned, said she. Before God
you will be accountable for his death,
now that you are notified. .
In the service of the viceroy was an
other Frenchman, the Marquis de La
narge who, as was often the case with
young French noblemen, had taken serv-
ice in the Spanish army. He was high
in favor at Mexico and to him the vice.
roy showed Dona Maria's letter. La
narge read and was thunderstruck. 1t
seems too miraculous to be true. II the
things were told in a novel there would
be criticism because it would be too i'm
probable The marquis had been the
schoolmate Of st. Denis in France, had
been his associate and intimate friend.
He lost no time in departing for Mon
elova.
ST. Dennis had laid in Jail six months.
The seventies of his jailer constantly
increased. His nearest friend would not
have known him His hair and beard
had grown long and matted. He was
racked with fever and emaciated from
hunger; but few days and all would
have been over with him.