Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-11-06
CHAPTER V.
FATHER GIBAULT.


Father Gibault brought the wave of
the American Revolution to Vincennes.
He was a simple missionary, but he
was, besides, man of great worldly
knowledge and personal force. Colonel
George Rogers Clark made Father
Gibault's acquaintance at Kaskaskia
when the fort and its garrison surrcn-
dcred to his command and. quickly
discerning the fine quality of the
priests character. sent him to the post
on the Wabash to win over its people
to the cause of freedom and indepcnd-
ence. Nor was the task assumed
hard one. as Father Gibault probably
well knew before he undertook it.
A few of the leading men of Vim
cennes presided over by Gaspard
Roussllon. held a consultation at the
river house. and it was agreed that a
mass meeting should be called, bring
ing all of the inhabitants together in
the church, for the purpose of consid-
ering the course to be taken under
the circumstances made known by Fa
Their Gibault Oncle JaZon constituted
himself an executive committee of one
to stir up noise for the occasion.
II was great day for Vincennes.
The volatile temperament Of the
French frontiersmen dubbed over
with enthusiasm at the first hint Of
something new and revolutionary in
which they might be expected to take
part. Without knowing in the least
what it was that Father Gibault and
Oncle Jazon wanted of them, they
were all In favor of it at a venture.
Rene de Ronville, being an active and
intelligent young man, was sent about
through the town to let everybody
know of the meeting. In passing he
stepped into the cabin of Father Beret,
who was sitting on the loose puncheon
floor, with his back turned toward the
entrance and so absorbed in trying to
put together a great number of small
paper fragments that he did not hear
or look up.
"Are you not going to the meeting
father" Rene bluntly demanded. In
the hurry that was on him he did not
remember to be formally polite, as was
his habit.
The old priest looked up with star
tied face. At the same time he swept
the fragments of paper together and
clutchcd them hard in his right hand
Eyes, yes, my son; yes. l am going,
but the time has not yet come for it.,
has itY' he stammered. as it late?'
He sprang to his feet and appeared
confused, as if caught in doing some
thing very improper.
Rene wondered at this unusual be
havior, but merely said:
Il beg pardon, Father Beret l did
not mean to disturb YOU" and went his
way.
Father Beret stood for some min
utes as if daZed, then squeezed the pa
per fragments into tight ball, just as
they We're when he took them from I'M
/ der the floor some time before Rene
came in, and put it in his pocket A
little later he was kneeling, as we have
seen him once before, in silent yet
fervent prayer his clasped hands lifted
toward the cruciiiX on the wall.
Jesus. give me strength TO hold on
and do my work" he murmured be-
seechingly. And. oh, free thy poor
servant from bitter temptation"
Father Gibault had come prepared
to use his elOQuence upon the eXcitable
creoles. and with considerable cunning
he addressed a motley audience at the
church, telling them that an American
force had taken Kaskaskia and would
thcncefOrth hold it; that France had
Joined hands with the Americans
against the British, and that it was the
duty of all Frenchmen to help uphold
the cause of freedom and independ-
! ence.
Il come" said he, directly from
Colonel George Rogers Clark, a noble
and brave officer of the American
army, who told me the news that
have brought to you. He sent me here
to say to you that if you will give al
legiance to his government you shall
be protected against all enemies and
have the full freedom of citizens.
think you should do this without a
moments hesitation, as | and my peo
pie at Kaskaskia have already done
But perhaps you would like to have
a word from your distinguished fel
low citizen, NJ Gaspard Roussillon
Speak to your friends, my son; they
will be glad to take counsel Of youl
wisdom"
There were a stir and a craning OF
necks. NJ. Roussillon presently APP
peared near the chancel, his great
form towering majestically. He bOweC
and waved his hand with the air of one
who accepts distinction as a matter
of course; then he took his big silvel
watch and looked at it. He was the
only man in Vincennes who owned {
watch, and so the incident was i'm
pressive. Father Gibault looked
pleased. and already a murmur of ap
plause went through the audience. NJ
Roussillon stroked the bullying crysta
of the timepiece with circular motion
of his thumb and bowed again, clear
II. 1t F.,.a