The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-18
AHeIEzael0t[,ND BVlNGENNES
81 rAu7o5 --sEgES-sz-5sS zS33-s---es THOMPSON

Roussillon. held consultation at the
river house, and it was agreed that a
mass meeting should be called bringing
all of the inha bitants together in the
church for the purpose OF considering
the course to be taken under the cir
cumstances made known by Father
Gibault. Oncle Jason constituted him
self an executive committee OF one TO
stir up a noise for the occasion
IL was great day for Nincennes-
The volatile temperament of the
French frontiersnen dubbed over with
enthusiasm at the first hint OF some
thing new and revolutionary in which
they might be expected to take part
Without knowing in the least what II
was that Father Gibault and Oncle
Jason wanted of them. they were all
in favor of il at a venture.
Rene de RonviIle, being an active and
intelligent young man, was sent about
through the town to let everybody
know of the meeting. In passing he
stepped in the cabiI. of Father Beret,
who was sitting on the loose puncheon
floor, with his back turned toward the
entrance and so absorbed in trying to
put together a great number OF small
paper fragments that he did not hear
or ltok up.
Are you not going to the meeting,
the hurry that was on him he did not
remember to be formally polite, as was
his habit.
The old priest looked up with 3
startled face At the same time he
swept the fra gments Of paper together
and clutchsd them hard in his right
hand.
Yes, yes, my son--yes. am going.
but the time has not yet come for il,
~, = sTc 1DTc
He sprang TO his feet and appeared
confused, as If caught in doing some
thing very improper.
Rene wondered az this unusual be-
havior, but merely said:
II beg pardon, Father Beret, / did
not mean to disturb you and went his
way.
Father Beret stood for some minutes
as if dazed, then squeezed the paper
fragments into tight ball, just as they
were when he took them from under
the floor some time before Rene came
in, ard pat IL in his pocket. A little
later he was kneeIing, as we have seen
him once before, in silent yet ferVent
prayer. his clasped hands lifted toward
the crucifix on the wall.
Jesus, give me strength to hold on
and do my work. ne murmured be-
seechingly, land oh, free thy poor ser
Father Gibault had come prepared
to use his eloquence upon the excitable
creoles. and with considerable cunning
he addressed a motley audience at the
church, telling them that an American
force had taken Kaskaskia and would
henceforth hold it; that France had
Joined hands with the Americans
against the British, and that it was
the duty of all Frenchmen 10 help up
I'll oF nd
pendence.
II come said he, directly from
Colonel George Rogers Clark, noble
and brave officer of the American
army, who told me the news that
have brought to you. He sent me here
to say to you that if you will give
allegiance to his government you shall
be protected against all enemies and
have the full freedom of citizens
think you should do this without a
moments hesitation, as 1 and my peo-
pie at Kaskaskia have already done.
But perhaps you would like to have a
word from your distinguished, fellow
citizen, Monsieur Gaspard Roussillon.
Speak TO your friends, my son: they
viii be glad to take counsel of your
wisdom,
There was a stir and a craning of
necks. NJ Roussillon presently ap-
great form towering maiestically He
bowed and waved his hand with the
air of one who accepts distinction as a
matter of course; then he took his big
silver watch and looked at it. He was
the only man in Vincennes who owned
a watch, and so the incident was i'm
pressiYe. Father Gibault looked
pleased, and already a murmur of APP
plause went through the audience. NJ.
~ ~
OF the timepiecee with circular motion
of his thumb and bowed again. clear
ing his throat resonantly, his face
growing purplish above his beard.
Good friends" he said. what
France does all high-class Frenchmen
applaud" He paused for shout of
appreciation, and was not disappointed.
THE other name for France is glory"
he added. and all true Frenchmen love
both names. L am a true French
mani" and he struck his breast re-
sounding blow with the hand that still
held the watch. A huge horn button
on his buckskin jerkin came in contact
with the crystal, and there was
smash, followed by a scattered tinkling
of glass fragments.
All Vincennes stood GREATNESS, con-
templating the irreparable accident. NJ
Roussillon had lost the effect of a
great period in his speech, but he was
quick Lifting the watch to his ear, he
listened a moment with superb dig
nifty, then slowly elevating his head
and spreading his free hand over his
heart, he said:
1.-The faithful timepiece still tells off
the seconds. and the loyal heart of its
owner still throbs with patriotism
Oncle Jazon, who stood in front of
the speaker. swung his shapeless cap
as high as he could and yelled like a
savage. Then the crowd went wild
for time.
''vive Ia Francel A has 7 Angle
terrei'' Everybody shouted at the top
of his voice.
What France does we all do" con-
tinued NJ. Roussillon. when the noise
subsidized France has clasped hands
with George Washington and his brave
compatriots; so do We
''Vive Zhorzh Vasintonr' shrieked
Oncle Jazon in piercing treble. tip
toeing. and shaking his cap recklessly
under NJ Roussillon's nose
The orator WINGED and jerked his
head back, but nobody saw it, save.
perhaps. Father Gibault, who laughed
heartily
Great sayings come suddenly. m
announced and unexpected. They
nave the mysterious force of prophetic
accident combined with happy econ
omy of phrasing. The southern blood
in NJ. Roussillon's veins was effer-
vsscing upon his brain: his tongue had
caught the fine freedom and abandon
OF inspired oratory. He lowered and
Do FaTT