Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-11-26

Ilftine he watch % M ear 10 nseeneo
q moment With uupeebf dignity, then
aowiy elevating hls head and spread.
ing his Tree hand over his heart he said.
'The faithful tmepiece still tells Oh
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 rs he could and yelled like saw.
are. Then the crowd went wild for
time.
"Vive Ia France! A has rAngle.
terrc!' Everybody shouted at the TOP
Of his voice.
what France does we all do" con-
tinued NJ. Houssillon. when the noise
subsidized. France has clasped hands
with George Washington and his brave
compatriots. So do wc.'
"Vivc Zhorzh Nasinton" shrieked
Onclc JaZon in Il piercing treble. tip
tocing and shaking his cap rccklcss!y
under NJ. Roussillon's nose.
The orator WINGED and ierked his
head back. but nobody saw it, save per-
hapS Father Gibault who laughed
heartily. In conclusion II. HousSillor
said:
"Frenchmcn. America is the garden
spot of the world and will one day rule
1t. as did Rome of old. Where Freedom
makes her home. there is the center OF
power
When NJ. Roussillon ceased speaking
the audience again exhausted its voca
resources. and then Father Gibaul
called upon each man to come forward
and Solcmnly pledge Is ,'.ai;y to the
American cause. No, "a'. nl t..,", hesi-
tated
Meantime Il woman WAS doing her
part i'm the transformation of Post Vim
cennes frcln Il Frcncll-En2liSl! picket to
a full tledged American fort and town.
Nine Goderc. finding out what was
about to happen. fell to work making
flag in imitation of that under which
George Washington was fighting. Alice
CHANGED to he in the Golere home ut
the time and joined enthusiastically in
the sewing. 1t was an exciting task.
Their fingers tremblcd while they work
ed. and the thread. heavily coated with
beeswaX. squeaked as they drew it
through the cloth.
I'VE shall not he in time" said Nine.
Godere: Il know we shall not. Every
thing hinders me. My thread breaks
or gets tangled and my needles so
rusty can hardly stick it through the
cloth. Oh. dear!!''
Alice encouraged her with both words
and work, and they had almost finished
when Rene came with staff which he
had brought from the fort.
"Mon Dieu. but we Have had great
meeting!' he cried. He was perspirine
with excitement and fast walking.
Leaning OH the staff. he mopped his
face with blue handkerchief.
1--WE heard much shouting and noise
said Nine. Godere IN. Roussillon's
voice rose loud above the rest. He
roared like lion.''
"Ah. he was speaking to us: he was
very eloquent" Rene replied. But
now they are waiting at the fort 70,
the new flag. l have come for it,
With flying fingers Alice sewed it te
the staff.
"Voici-' she cried. 'Vive la re-
publique Amcricainer' She lifted the
staff and let the flag droop over her
from head to foot.
"Give it to me-" said Rene, holding
forth hand for it. "and I'll run to the
fort With it,
NO." said Alice, her face suddenly
lighting up with resolve. NO. l am
going to take it myself" And without
moments delay off she went.
Rene was so caught by surprise that
he stood gazing after her until she
passed behind a house, where the way
turned. the shining flag ripping around
her and her moccasins twinkling as she
ran.
At the blockhouse, awaiting the mo-
ment when the symbol of freedom
should rise like star over old Win
cennes, the crowd had picturesqucly
broken into scattered groups Alice en-
tered through rent in the stockadc. as
that happened to be a shorter route
than through the gate, and appeared
suddenly almost in their midst.
1t was a happy surprise pretty and
catching spectacular apparition of 4
sort tc be thoroughly appreciated by
the lively French fancy of the audi.
ence. The men caught the girls spirit
or it caught them. and they made haste
to be noisy.
''V'la! Via! Lp'tite Alice ct la ban
mere de Zhorzh Vasinton!' C'Look.
look! Little Alice and George Wash
III IA n "a al