Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-03-01

49, ~ ~"
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 F%renchman, 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. If 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
clova.
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 a few days and all would
have been over with him.
One day his prison door was flung
open and a young officer came in, stood
a moment trying to F, citrate the dark
ness and then said to the prisoner:
"Who are you and why are you
here?'
"My name" said The prisoner, sis
Jugereau st. Denis. I am a gentleman
by birth, a prisoner by treason and l am
waiting here for death, as justice is de-
MED me-"
"Were you not born in Canada?"
eyes"
"Raised in France?"
eyes"
"And went to Louisiana to make .
f~ortune?"
eyes"
"Strike off these irons!' he said to
the men with him.
st. Denis in his dark cell could not
see who spoke to him, but thought him
self dreaming when he heard the order
to strike off his shackles.
"Wbo are you?" he asked family.
81 am Lanarge, your old friend, come
to save you"
They went away together to the City
of Mexico.
There in the midst of every comfort
and luxury st. Denis rapidly recovered,
There was gay and attractive society
there, there was his friend, there were
tempting offers of brilliant appoint
ments, but from all these st. Denis
turned away to go again to the woman
who loved him, had saved him, and in
answer to the offer Of high rank in the
Spanish army he said:
81 can serve but II God. l am a
Frenchman, and a Frenchman l must
remain"
For his return journey he was provid-
ed amply with money, horses and a
strong escort, and arrived safely at San
Juan Baptista, there to renew his troth
to bis sweetheart. He found Villesecas
in great trouble. The surrounding In
dams had left their fields and villages,
had rebelled and were up in arms. The
commandment was sorely put to it and in
CONSERVATION.
st. Denis went out to the Indians
alone. AS he approached he raised a
white handkerchief on his sword. The
Indians allowed him to come among
them and formed a circle about him.
By the mere power Of his eloquence he
persuaded them to return to their al
legiance and pledged the honor Of Spain
that their grievances would be adjusted.
Then, at last, this second Bayard had
his reward. Dona Maria became his
wife. Many years they lived together
in Mexico, at Mobile, in Louisiana, IN
til at last he fell, serving his country,
in battle with the Natchez. -Thurbe1
James in st. Louis Globe Democrat.