Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1903-12-10

pending events, Of which she could
form no idea, was behind It all. She
had not heard OF Brandywine or Bun
ker Hill or Lexington or Concord. but
something like a watt OF their signifi
canoe had blown through her mind. \
great change was coming into her idyl-
lie life. She was indistinctly aware Of
Il, as we sometimes are OF an approach
ing storm while yet the sky is sweetly
blue and serene. When she reached
home the house was full OF people to
whom NJ. Roussillon. in the gayest OF
moods. was dispensing wine and bran
dy.
"Vive Zhorzh Vasintonr' shouted
Oncle Jazon as soon as he saw her.
And then they all talked al once. say
ing fattcring things about her. Nine.
RoU5slllon tried to scold as usual, but
the lively chattering OF the guests
drowned her voice.
Il suppose the American commander
will send garrison here" some one
said to Father Gibault. land repair the
fort"
Probably" replied the priest. lin
very few weeks Meantime We win
garrison IL ourselves"
And we will have NJ. Roussillon for
commander" spoke up Rene de Ron
vile. who was standing by.
"A good suggestion" assented Father
Gibault. Let us organize at once"
Immediately the word was passed
that there would be a meeting nj the
fort that evening for the purpose Of
choosing a garrison and a commander.
Everybody went promptly at the hour
set. NJ Roussillon was elected captain
10y reclamation, with Rene de Ronville
as his lieutenant. 1t was observed that
Oncle Jazon had resumed his dignity
and that he looked into his cap several
times without speaking
Meantime certain citizens who had
been in close relations with Governor
Abbott during his stay quietly slipped
out Of town. manned a batteau and
went up the river. probably tn Ouiate-
non first and then To Detroit. Doubt.
less they suspected that things might
soon grow too warm for their comfort.
II was thus that Nincennes and For,
Sackvlle first acknowledged the Amer.
lean government and hoisted the fiag
which. as long as IL hoated over the
blockhouse, was lightly and lovingly
called by every one la banniere d'Alict
Roussillon.
Father Gibault returned 10 Fort Kas
kaskia ind a little later Captain Leon
ard Helm, jovial man, but past the
prime Of life, arrived at Vincennes with
a commission from Colonel Clark au
thorizing him 10 supersede NJ. RouSsil
Ion as commander and 10 act as Indian
agent for the American government In
the department of the Wabash. He
was welcomed by the villagers and al
once made himself very pleasing to
them by adapting himself TO their ways
and entering heartily into their social
activities.
NJ. Roussillon was absent when Cap
tain Helm and his party came. Rene
de Ronville. nominally in command OF
the fort, but actually enjoying some ex-
cellent grouse shooting with a bell
mouthed old fowling piece on o distant
prairie could not be present 10 deliver
up the post and as there was no garri-
son just then visible Helm took pos.
session without any formalities.
Il think. Lieutenant. that you'd better
look around through the village and see
If you can scare up this Captain What's
his-name." said the new commander Ia
a stalwart young officer who had come
with him. II can't think OF these
French names without getting my brain
In a twist. DO you happen to recollect
the captains name, lieutenant
Yes, sir-Gaspard Roussillon II reads
in Colonel Clark's order, but ! am told
that he's away on a trading tour" said
the young man.
You may be told anything by these
hair tongued parlyvoOs," Helm remark
ed. 1T won't hurt, anyway, to find out
where he lives and make formal call,
just for appearance sake. and TO III
quire about his health. wish you
would try 1t, sir, and let me know the
result"
The lieutenant felt that this was n
peremptory order and turned about tn
obey promptly.
And | say, Beverley, come back so
Der if you possibly can" Helm added
in his most genial tone. thinking 1t n
great piece of humor to suggest sobrl-
ETY. TO a man whose marked difference
from the men of that time was his to-
tai abstinence from intoxicating drinks.
Lieutenant Fitzhugh Beverley was a
VirginiaD Of Virginians. His family
had long been prominent in colonial
affairs and boosted a record Of great