Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-15

''Ehy' said Pierre Grignon, sitting be.
side me. Their dirty trophies make
/ you CHASTITY! DO your eastern tribes new.
er dance war dances7''
After the land was secured its bounda-
ries had TO be set Then my own grant
| demanded attention; and last, I was anx-
| ious to put my castle on 1t before snow
| few. Many of those late autumn nights
! Skenedonk and spent camping. The out
door life was a Joy to me. Our land las
| up the Fox river and away from the bay
But more than one stormy evening. wher
we came back to the bay for supplies ]
| plunged into the rolling water and swan
| breasting the waves. 1t is good to be
hardy, and sane, and to take part in the
visible world whether you are great and
have your hearts desire or not.
When we had laid the foundation OF
the Indian settlement. I built my house
with the help of skilled men. 1t was a
spacious one Of hewn logs, chinked with
cat-and-clay plaster showing its white
ribs on the hill above the Fox. In time
I meant to cover the ribs with perennial
vines. There was a spring near the
porches. The woods banked me on the
rear, and an elm spread its colossal UNI
brella over the roof Fertile fields stretch
ed at my left, and on my right deep
ravine lined with white birches, carried a
stream to the Fox.
From my stronghold to the river was a
long descent. The broadening and mar
rowing channel could be seen for miles.
A bushy island, beloved Of wild ducks,
parted the water. lying as Moses hid in
osiers, amidst tall growths Of wild oats.
Lily pads stretched their pavements in
the oats. Beyond were rolling banks, and
beyond those, wooded hills rising terrace
over terrace to the dawn. Many sun
rise was to come to me over those hills.
Oaks and pines and sumach gathered to
my doorway.
In my mind 1 saw the garden we after
ward created; with many fruit trees. beds,
and winding walks. trellised seats. squares
of flaming tulips, phlox, hollyhocks, roses.
1t should reach down into the ravine,
where humid ferns and rocks met plants
that love darkling ground. Yet It should
not be too dark. would lop boughs
rather than have growing thing spindle
as il rooted In ste. Pelagie-and no man
who loves trees can do that without
feeling the knife at his heart What is
long developing is precious like the i'm
mortal part Of US.
The stoicism that comes OF endurance
has something Of death in 1t. 1 prepared
home without thought OF putting any
wife therein. / had grown used to being
alone, with the exception OF Skenedonh' 5
taciturn company. The house was for
castle and resting place after labor. I took
satisfaction in the rude furniture we made
for IL. In after years IL became filed
with rich gifts from the other side of the
world, and books that have gladdened
my heart. Yet In its virgfnhood before
pain or joy or achievement had entered
there before spade struck the ground
which was to send up food, my holding
on the earths surface made me feel prince
OF principally.
The men hewed a slab settle, and sta
toned II before the hearth thing OF
beauty In its rough and lichen-tinted
barks, though you may not believe it. My
floors would have smooth and neatly
Joined Of hard woods which give forth q
shining for wear and polish Stools had,
easily made, and one large round of a
tree for my table, like an eastern tabou-
ret.
Before the river closed and winter shut
in, Skenedonk and 1 went back to Green
Bay. / did not know how TO form my
household, and had 1t In mind to consult
and French landholders in the territory
owned black slaves. Pierre Grignon him
self kept one little negro like a monkey
among the stately Indians.
Dealing with acres, and with people
wild as fiocks. would have been worth
while II nothing had resulted except our
welcome back to Pierre Grignon's open
house. The grandmother hobbled on her
stick across the floor to give me her hand.
Madame Ursule reproached me with de-
laying, and Pierre said 1t was high time
to seek winter quarters. The girls re-
counted harvest reels and even weddings.
with dances following. which l had lost
while away from the center Of festivity.
The little negro carried my saddlebags
to the guest room Skenedonk was to
sleep on the floor. Abundant preparations
for the evening heal were going forward
in the kitchen. AS mounted the stair
way at Madame Ursules direction I
heard a tinkle of china, her very best
which adorned racks and dressers. 1t was
set forth on the mahogany board.
The upper floor of Pierre Grignon's
house was divided by hall similar to the
one below. 1 ran upstairs ana halted.
Standing with her back to the fading
light which came through one fan window
at the hall end, was woman's figure in
a gray dress. / gripped the rail.
My first thought was How shall I
tell her about Paul?' My next was;
What is the matter with her7'
She rippled from head to foot in the
SILVER of rapture peculiar to her. and
stretched her arms to me crying:
PAUL. Paul!''