The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-11-20


The Chateau of Beaumanoir, where In
fendant Bigct passed SO much of his lei
sure time. stood near the center of a wide
plateau in the midst of cluster of fairy
like gardens, fit resort for the nymphs,
and borlere.l by patriarchal trees that
looked old for country styled new.
Wooded mountains, rising almost perpeh-
dicular from the farther side of the PLAN.
formed a most fitting background for this
retreat.
The ancient structure, made Of stone,
long, like most Of the buildings erected
at the time of its construction, gabled
and pointed in the style of architecture
then prevailing, had been built by the
first Intendant of New France. Jean
Talon. the patron of the gallant explorer
La Sale as a retreat for him to flee to
when worn with work or disguised with
the manner his plans for the welfare of
the infant colony were received by the
court of the mother country. three-fourths
of a century before the period of which l
am writing.
The chateau had been made historic by
the famous persons who had at diHereht
times honored its halls with their pres
ence, among these being the adventurous
Sieur Joliet. fresh from his perilous trav-
els of exploration: Father Marquette, re-
counting here 10 his wondering listeners
his stories. sounding like fables, of that
majestic river OF the boundless West,
STYLED the Father of Waters;' while 1t
was from this place the intrepid La Sale
set forth Oh his romantic mission of eX-
ploring the mysterious stream and claim
it in the name of his King. But If built
with good purpose and honored once
with noble company, the ancient edlhce
had fallen into i'll repute under the patron
age of the present dissolute lntendant,
who sought here to rcvel in his debancll-
cries without being witnessed by every
chance looker-on. Could its strong walls
have found speech what tales of wild and
infamous scenes they might have told!
The chateau was entered by wide gate
set at the end of the broad avenue, over
hung by lofty hedge trimmed into fan
tastic figures after the manner of the
gates of Luxembourg. The building, as
has been said, was set in the midst of
gardens of luxurious growth, and these
having escaped, at this altitude. the frosts
Of Autumn, their squares, circles and poly
CONS were radiant with flowers Of varied
beauty and fragrance. The hedges were
filled with fruit trees that might. well
have graced the orchards of the old
country all of which had been brought
from France by the thoughtful Talon. In
their seasons were cherries, red and lus-
cious as those that thrived in the native
gardens of Brittany; plums that Outyied
the rare sweetness of native sisters in
Gascony; pears from the famous fruitage
of the Rhone Valley; and apples. now in
their zenith of ripening, Outrivalling in
their soft tints the rosy cheeks of the fair
maids of Normandy. But if set in such
a prodigal display of beauty and sunshine,
the chateau stood itself the very image
of gloom. Its massive doors were ever
kept tight-closed, and its mulliOned VIM
d0ws were hard-shut. as if it We're 4 dun
Eeon holding within its somber walls I'M
happy victims denied the freedom Of the
bright world.
A short distance removed from the cha
tean stood another structure, with his
tory filled with warlike deeds. a tower
Of stone masonry, its walls filled with
loOp-holes and crowned with a crenelatei
crest. This had been built as place Of
refuge and defense during the Indian at
lacks in the EARLIER days of the occupancy,
when the unfriendly 1roquois had dared
to assail its rugged 'front.' time and again.
The little fortaIice had ever proved invul-
nerable to them; but the sun and storms
of the passing years had been more de-
structive than the primitive armament of
the dusky warriors of the wartrail, so
that its walls had now begun to crum-
BILE, and they presented a most dilapi-
dated appearance.
1t was currently believed by the peo-
pie that the little fort was connected to
=
but 10 one at this time acknowledged he
knew its secret way.
All was dark and hushed about the
grim-walled chateau as the half-doZen
men and their captires rode along the
broad avenue and through the main gate.
But an hour later, when they had seen
their helpless maidenS placed in one of
the inner rooms, and stationed guard
ut the door TO be sure that such a help
less couple should not escape, the ancient
building was Illuminated with beams of
golden splendors as n second body of rid
ers showing a marked contrast in appear
ance TO the first, rode through the gate
way, and throwing their re.ns to the
hands Of waiting servants, no;sily entered
the great main hall.
Tie leader of the party of 20-odd men
was Intendant Bigot, his bulky body pant
ing under his eXertions, and his dark fea-
lures aglow with animal animation. Side
by side with him, towering head and
shoulders above him, his straight figure
presenting n happy contrast to the squat
body of the Prime Minister, walked arm
in-arm a stranger to the others, whom
the lntendant had reccmi- introduced as
one Count ST. AHbyn, a countryman of
his. The smoothly-Shaven face was in
deed as swart as the features of the other,
while the dark eyes peering nut from over
hanging eyebrows were as piercing. lie
was dressed. as these of high station in
those days dressed, in a laced coat and
waistcoat, chapeau. boots. lace rues.
sash, and wearing the rapier of that pc
Rod. This martial costume set off with
fine effect the noble bearing of the hand
some man, who seemed by far superior to
thOse whom he had chosen for his com
panions.
This fact, however, did not create any
comment, for Bigot, with a kingly Dack-
ing, if rendered fiippant by his dissolute
life, often drew to him some of the fairest
and highest in the colony-ay, too often,
as they lived TO learn to their shame and
ruin. At this very time there were hand
some, warlike men in his train, many of
whom had already proved their mettle on
hard-foGsht battlcfelds, and there were
Others here who were to show as worthy
colors as they. But let us spare their
names from the record of this nights or
gies.
With the ain of a conqueror the proud
Bigot marched up the grand old hail
ablaze with the golden orbs of light sus-
pended from the lofty ceiling. As the
train flied up the floor they were con-
fronted by a gorgeous painting of that
yoluptuous siren of the Court of France.
the Marquise de Pompadour, the evil
genius of Louis XIV, and the patroness of
Intendant Bigot. There was an eternal
fitness if not wisdom in the selection of
this bold, infamous beauty to overlook
the shameful festivities of him who slo-
ried in her friendship.
Beside this famous picture of an In
famous woman hung on the fr@scOed walls