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

ming hand OF that adventurous explorer,
who had within the decade penetrated
into the great country watered by La
Belle Riviere, as the French styled the
Ohio, and planted along its banks the
boundary marks of New France, sur
mounted the national feur-de-lis, and
the bold, defiant inscription, ''Manibus
date lila plenis." This map showed by
its heavy lines that curved slightly north
ward from Acadia to the ridge Of noun
tains forming the Appalachian range that
the dominion Of the British was very
small indeed, consisting simply OF that
narrow tract Of country between these
mountains and the Atlantic Coast, while
New France with its lines Of fortified set
Elements on the north of this, along the
st. Lawrence and the great lakes, reached
southwark so as to embrace the great val
leys of the Ohio and the Mississippi, with
a frontier on the west vaguely traced far
Their than the explorations of the boldest
adventurer. The bold author of this map,
the Able Piquet, was at this time labor
ing Zealously to secure the friendship of
the Iroquois in order the better to hold
this vast territory against any incursiOn
the British should be foolhardy enough
to undertake. Little did the ambitious
Father dream how soon the lilies IF Louis
would be trampled under the heel of the
power he scorned.
Upon reaching the head of the long
table, which had been cunningly wrought
out of Canadian woods highly polished,
he wheeled about, and with a motion of
his left hand sent his guests to their re-
spective seats, giving to st. Aubyn that
upon his right, while his Secretary, De
Pean. took that upon his left. The table
was a dazzling sight, loaded with its mag
nificent treasures from the Old World,
lrip hn bIan nj
of Europe, cups of Venetian sculpture set
with stars that shone Ike diamonds. ruby
gotlets from the manufactures of Bohe-
mia. dishes Of many and elegant patterns,
delicate baskets filled with fruits, rare
vases overlooking with flowers of exqui-
site perfume and beauty, and vessels of
strange device and wonderful ornamental
ton filed with the choicest vintages of
France, Spain and Italy.
The entrance of the royal party had
been the signal for the band of musicians
seated in the gallery at the head of the
hall to strike up martial air, and not
until the last strain had died away did
Bigot break the spell by the sound Of his
voice. when he said:
Now fill your. glasses with the best
that Beaumanoir affords, and drink to the
health and good fortune of our illustrious
guest, the noble Count st. Aubyn"
A cheer followed this announcement.
followed by n courtly bow from the genial
Count, and the click of glasses. No
sooner was this done than St. Aubyn
cried
Now. my heartics, let me return the
noble compliment of our host and name
the toast. Let us pledge our fealty to the
royal Bigot. and may he live long and en-
JOY his triumphs.'
This was succeeded by uproarious cries,
and again there was rafting of glasses
and smacking of lips. When this was
guests to be seated, while he remained
standing.
The Count is by far too cunning" he
said. But ere the night ends we will
| show him how the nobility of New Franco
remain faithful TO their King. Just over
from the fatherland, he is bearing many
items of news that will please you to
hear. These he has generously promised
TO give TO us, after which we will show
him that even the Court of Louis cannot
Outrival with its beauties the goddesses OF
Beaumanoir. First, it is fitting we fill
and drain our cups to the peerless queen
of beauty, whose glorious charms have set
ON fire the eallants of Sunny France, the
Marquise de Pompadourr'
Long live In Pompadour." cried cho.
rus of voices, "and may her charms never
| grow less" followed by the renewed cink.
ing Of goblets and draining of the rich red
wine that flowed Mt BigOt's table like
water. All had risen amid the tumul
tuous applause brought out by the men
| ton of the name of the Intendant's pa
| troness, but became seated as the scene
again grew quiet. The eyes of all were
now turned upon the principal guest, who
was still toying with his goblet
Let us have some music, noble Bigot y
pointing to the band in the gallery
Nothing unfetters the tongue like music
unless it be your rare vintage, credit to
our native land.''
Taking the hint, the Intendant called
upon the musicians for q song, when one
of the spirited strains of martial music
that had awakened the valley of the St
Lawrence in the days past filled the vast
hall with its melody. At its conclusion
st. Aubyn rose unsteadily, as if the wine
had already begun its potent work. and
launched forth into rambling speech.
/ lie devoted fully quarter Of an hour