New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
GASPARD, L'IMBEClLE.

An, those were happy DAYS "ncH '"'f"'"
} eudon was a fisherman! From the peaceful
village Of Bizon the fishing feet sailed, 10 return
loaded with the spoil OF the sea which the good
God has provided for man. Silvery, nine anu
cleaning. the fish came into the boat only TO
pant their little lives away, for often the men
were lucky, and It WIS rs much az they could do
TO get in the nets and clear them. So many lives
ended. and yet no one gave them thought; the
fish are the fruit Of the sea, to be gathered by
the fishers. and they risk their lives in reaping
the harvest.
When summer came. and the sea, Ike the
skies. was Haunting its royal tints Of deepest
brightest blue, and the lazy wind would moi III
the sails. IT seemed dreamy life to Gaspard
the older hands would tell the young ones tales
of countries far away which they had seen when
they had been serving in the warshps. as any
NJ the fishermen might be called upon 10 do
Sometimes they would tell OF the wonders that
are far down in the sea- and Of mermaids with
their golden hair streaming out upon the free
wind with strange deep eyes Of siarshlnc am
dusk, singing wild, sweet songs. laden with the
love and sorrow of all tn ages. songs that raVlsh
he heart Of man and which. II he turn not away
and close his ears against them. Will draw his
,oul from gu, his body. 50 tina; he b. what mer
,all dead
But when winter came. and the great waves
threatened 70 swallow up the little fisher boats
,here no leisure for recounting stories VIM
at sea- for each one had 10 strive and heed foI
the safety Of all, and to pray TO the saints tina
they might he guided out OF troublous water
and home again 10 dear Bizon Sometimes
while in their mids;. one Of the Meet w"hl'
stagger and disappear, ard the white-crestcc
waves would surge and toss where 1t had been
and gallant comrades would be lost forever. All
II was a sorrowful life in the winier-cold and
wretched. and full OF hardshps. Days there
were when ii was 700 rough and dangerous e
venture out TO sea al all. and then the tales OF
summer would be repeated at the fircsdes BY
the graybeards and those who listened would
sit round open mouthed, scarcely hearing The
wind as it howled round the cottages and ear
ried the rain with such force and swif,ness thai
II dashed like spent shot against the windows.
They were a brave and generous race. the
fishers OF Bizon, and courage was born in every
babe OF them through generations they had bat
tied with the sea. growing drawer and harder
and so the Government priced them, and always
some Of the BizOn men away in the war
ships
Ard then day came when Gaspard had to
leave home and kindred to join the Marine
Depot and all his dreams Of mermaids. and for
eign lands. and wealth. and power were SUNK
IN the sorrow OF parting from all he held dear
IT seemed to him that when he left Bizon H.
would go from the world into utter darkness
The good cure blessed him. the women kissed
him and wept over him. and the men embraced
him heartily; they were all trothers in Bizon
and if some OF them did disagree at times they
were always ready to make friends again at the
very first opportunity. 1t was very sad when
Gaspard went away. for this time he was the
only one called from the village, so that he had
no companion to comfort him.
At the Depot he found many who, Ike NM
self were lonely and so, each telling the other
Of his troubles they became friends. and eased
their sorrow and turned their thoughts TO the
new life that stretched before them. Gaspard
was 10 join the marine soldiery. and after some
months of drill he sent away to the West
Coast OF Africa, there to he drafted into the
Dalmath one OF the small fotilla lying of
GOree.
A, that time France, wishing to extend her
African tominions and ready to avail herself OF
any excuse for so doing. had threatened the
Damel. or monarch % Gayor. who reigncd over
q large territory, the possession Of which would
enable her to connect St Louis and Goree
Reinforcements had been sent from Algeria,
native volunteers were enlisted and $50 marines
were added to give solidity to the expedition,
which was TO start in two parties, one from
Eoree and the other from St Louis.
The Senegal column. to which the marines