The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-16

upon basis of religious truth.
wonder how many of us have been
thinking of the strange, sweet story of
Alfalfa, and of its marvellous place in his
Tory and in literature. 1t concerns two
great nauons-the two greatest repub-
ncs-and 1t is endeared to the whole
christian world as a Providential means
for the conversion of a whole people from
atheism. It's place in the realm of let
terS is secure. Chateaubriand's STYLE Is
one Of the best, and is the delight of all
readers of French literature The SUBJ
9ect possesses the fresh interest of adyen-
ture In western Wilds, and its descrip-
lions OF scenery in southern forests and
mountains are drawn with the hand of
master. In the days before our civil
war, the story of Alfalfa was read by the
cultured in our southern states, in the
original French 1 am not advised that
any translation of this famous book has
ever been made in English. Perhaps the
approaching St. Louis exposition will
cause such a revival of interest in Old
Louisiana as to lead some interprising
American to reproduce the story, in its
setting of accumulated annexation and
comment
Travelling in the South, I have now and
then run across scions of old famines who
spoke With enthusiasm of Alfalfa, general
IS adding something of folklore to the
mas preserved the name of the maiden in
the designation of a county, and there
are towns bearing the same name in Ala
bama and Georgia, though there is some
Slight variation in the photography of
the word in the different states.
In this day Of folklore study. when the
legends of old time are carefully sought
out for preservation and are popuIariZed
by faVorite writer's, it would seem that
the legend of Alfalfa must possess a spe-
cial interest. Indeed 1 hope to see at
st. Louis not only an American edition
Oh the story, but also creations in paint
ing and in sculpture expressive of the
theme.
Chateaubriand was a young noble OF
France who essayed to lead an exnedi-
ton to the north pole, in the DAYS before
the Freneh he R5661volution. He came to
Washington, at Philadelphia, which was
then the capital of the United States
Abandoning his polar exploration for the
more captivating field of adventure in tho
French province of Louisiana, he Jour
neyed through the Southwest News of
the French revolution caused him to re-
turn nome; wounded in battle, he es-
cared to England, where he supported
himself as a translator. When Bonaparte
had restored order to France Chatea1I0
brand returned, and co-operated with
him for the restoration Of religion. He
dedicated to the first consul his greet
bock and was made secretary of the en-
baSsy to Rome. Later, he abandoned
Napoleon, whom he found to be plotting
Tor the overthrow of the republic and
the establishment of an empire.
The story of Alfalfa somewhat resembles
st. Pierre's famous Paul and Virginia
In its plan. 1t is largely monologue. II
tells of lovers separated by fate and it
dlscourSeS of the ways of Providence and
the lessons of human life. 1t is charac-
terlSucally French in its sentiment and
expression. The story begins with a
sketch of the old province of Louisiana.
Hnd tells of an alliance between the
wrench settlers of Biloxi and New Or
cans and the Indians of Natchez.
Among the Indians was an aged blind
man Oh remarkable history, who had
been a galley slave at Marseilles and q
guest at the court of the great king
Louis XIV. ---1o'
His name was Chactas. Though sight
JESS and infirm, he was chosen IN COM
mand an expedition of hunters to the re-
gion or kentucky. In this expedition
there was a young Frenchman nannei
Rene. The season was the fall. when
the scenery was most striking in its rich
ness of foliage. The company assembled
the Mississippi, the Ohio and the ken
lucky; and one moonlight night when
Chactas and Rene alone were awake the
old man related to the youth the ro-
nance Of his life. Born after the Span
lardS had established themselves in Pen
sacola, but before the French had peo..
pied Louisiana, he had been orphaned
ia early youth, and adopted by a gem
erous Spamard named Lopez. Long he
~ nVed IN luxury at ST. Augustine, buC de-
string TO return to the Indian life of his
fathers, he tore himself away from his
beneIactor and entered the forests TAX
en- prisoner by hostile tribe he was
recognized as a Natchez Indian and con-
denned 10 death. Among the women in