Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-09-26

claimed right fof dominion over the great territory Grained by the Wabash. and, indeed, ower a large, indefinitely outlined part of the North American con4inenta lyingt above Mexico, claim just then beiEig vigorously questioned, fintlock in hand, by the Anglo-Ameri can colonies.
 Of course tAethandful of French peo- pie at VinceaMEes, so far away from every center of information and wholly occupied with etheTr trading, trapping andE missionary work, were late finding oa1t that war existed be- tween Englandl and her colonies. Nor did 1t really matter much with them, one way or another. They felt secure in their lonely situation, and so went on selling theara trinkets, weapons, do- nestle implements, blankets and in- toxicating liqulHs to the Indians, whom they held bounahto them with a power never possessed by any other white dwellers in the wilderness. Father Beret was probably subordinate to Father Gibault. At all events the lat ter appears to have had nominal charge of Nincennes, ,and it can scarcely be doubted that he left Father Beret on the Wabash while he went to live and labor for timer at Kaskaskia, beyond the plains of Illinois.
 It is a curiousA fact that religion and the power of rum and brandy worked together successfully for a long time in giving the French posts almost aD- selute influence over the wild and sav- age men by whom they were always surrounded. The good priests depre- cated the traffic in liquors and tried hard to control 1t, but soldiers of for tune and reckless traders were in the majority, their interests taking preced- ence of all spiritual demands and car rying everything along. What could the brave missionaries do but make the very best of perilous situation? But if the effect of rum as a bev- l craze had strong allurement for the white man, it made an absolute slave l of the Indian, who never hesitated for | a moment to undertake any task, no matter how hard, bear any privation, even the most terrible, or brave any danger, although it might demand I reckless desperation, if in the end a i well filled bottle or jug appeared as l his reward.
 or course the traders did not over look such 8 source of power. Alcoholic liquor became their implement of al- most magical work in controlling the I lives. labors and resources of the In- dians. The priests, with their captivat- ing story of the cross, had large in- fuence in softening savage natures 1 and averting many an awful danger, but, when everything else failed, rum always came to the rescue of threat ened French post.
 We need not wonder, then, when we are told that Father Beret made no sign of distress or disapproval upon I being informed of the arrival of a I boat loaded with rum, brandy or gin. I It was Rene de Ronville who brought the news, the same Rene already men l toned as having given the priest a l plate of squirrels. He was sitting on the doorsill of Father Beret's hut when the old man reached it after his I visit at the Roussillon home and held i in his hand letter which he appeared 1 proud to deliver.
 IA batteau and seven men with a cargo of liquor came. during the rain, 7 I he said, rising and taking off his cu- rious cap, which, made of a n animals skin, had tail jauntily dangling from
 it's crown tip, land here is 8 letter for
 you, father The batteau is from New
 Orleans. Eight men started with it,
 but one went ashore to hunt and was
 killed by an Indian
 l Father Beret took the letter without
 apparent interest and said:
 'Thank you, my son, sit down again;
 the door log is not Wetter than the stools inside; will sit by you.''
 The wind had driven a flood of rain into the cabin through the open door,
 and water twinkled in puddles here
 and there on the floors puncheons
 They sat down side by side, Father
 Beret lingering the letter in an absent
 minded way.
 n