Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-18

of course; then he took his big silver
only man in Vincennes who owned a
watch. and SO the incident was i'm
pressive. Father Gibault looked
pleased, and already murmur of APP
plause went through the audience. NJ.
Roussillon stroked the bullying crystal
of the timepiece with circular motion
of his thumb and bowed again. clear
ing his throat resonantly, his face
growing purplish above his beard.
Good friends" he said, what
France does all high class Frenchmen
applaud. He paused for shout of
appreciation and was not disappointed.
"1he other name for France is glory"
he added, land all true Frenchmen
love both names. I am true French
man. and he struck his breast q re-
sounding blow with the hand that
still held the watch. A huge horn but
ton on his buckskin jerkin came in con-
tact with the crystal and there was a
smash, followed by scattered tin
Killing of glass fragments.
All vincennes stood breathless, con-
templating the irreparable accident. NJ.
Roussillon had lost the effect Of great
period in his speech, but he was quick.
Lifting the watch to his ear he listened
moment with superb dignity, then
slowly elevating his head and spread
Ing his free hand over his heart he said:
1.-THE faithful timepiece still tells off
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 as he could and yelled like saw
age. Then the crowd went wild for q
time.
"viye la France. A has rAngle
terre" Everybody shouted at the top
of his voice.
What France does we all do" con-
| tinued NJ. Roussilon. when the noise
subsidized. France has clasped hands
with George Washington and his brave
compatriots. So do We
| "yite Zhorzh Vasinton!" shrieked
| Oncle Jazon in piercing treble, tip
| toeing and shaking his cap recklessly
| under NJ. Roussillon's nose.
| The orator WINGED and jerked his
head back. but nobody saw 1t, save per-
haps Father Gibault, who laughed
heartily. In conclusion N. Roussillon
said:
'.Frenchmen. America is the garden
1 spot of the world and will one day rule
1 it. 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 vocal
resources. and then Father Gibault
called upon each man to come. forward
and solemnly pledge his loyalty to til,
American ca~se. Not one Of them hesi-
| tated
| Meantime woman wQs doing her
part in the transformation Of Post Vim
cennes from French-English picket to
a full tledged American fort and town.
| Nine. Godere, finding out what was
about to happen. fell to work making
Z flag in imitation Of that under which
George Washington was fighting. Alice
CHANGED to be In the Godere home at
| the time and joined enthusiastically in
| the sewing. It was an exciting task.
Their fingers trembled while they work
| ed, and the thread, heavily coated with
beeswax, squeaked as they drew it
through the cloth.
eve shall not be in time" said Mime.
| Godere; 81 know we shall not. Every
| thing hinders me. My thread breaks
or gets tangled and my needles so
rusty l can hardly stick 1t 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
meetingv' he cried. He was perspiring
with excitement and fast walking.
Leaning on 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 for
the new flag. have come for 1t"
ut is ready" said Nine. Godere.
With flying fingers Alice sewed it to
the staff.
"voici!" she cried. "Vive la re-
publique Americaine!" 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, land I'll run to the
fort with it,
NO." said Alice. her face suddenly
lighting up with resolve. mo, l am
going to take it myself" And without
q moments delay Off she went.
Rene was SO caught by surprise that
he stood gazing after her until she
passed behind 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 a star over old Vim
cennes, the crowd had picturesQuely
broken into scattered groups. Alice en-
tered through rent in the stockade, as
that happened to be q shorter route
than through the gate, and appeared
suddenly almost in their midst.
It was happy surprise, pretty and