Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-18
Z
ALICE OF OLD !
WNCENNES
By MAURICE THOMPSON .
Copyright, 1900, by tho
Bowen. MERRILL. COMPANY !
CHAPTER v.
By MAURICE THOMPSON

OSoo, " AAS4 ACdCA d4u ducCt
the remotest and quietest
hooks and inlets, imparting a thrill
and a swell Of the general motion.
Father Gibault brought the wave of
the American Revolution to Vincennes.
he was simple missionary, but he
was, besides, man Of great worldly
knowledge and personal force. Colonel
George Rogers Clark made Father
Gtbaults acquaintance at Kaskask1a
dered to his command, and, quickly
discerning the fine quality Of the
priests character, sent him to the post
On the Wabash to win over it's people
10 the cause Of freedom and independ-
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
eennes, presided over by Gaspard
Roussillon, held consultation at the
river house, and it was agreed that
mass meeting should be called, bring
ing sll of the inhabitants together in
the church, for the purpose Of consid-
er1ng the course to be taken under
the circumstances made known by Fa-
ther Gibault. Oncle Jazon constituted
himself an executive committee of one
10 stir up noise for the occasion.
1t was great day for Vincennes.
The volatile temperament of tho
french frontiers,nen 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 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 cabilAof Father Beret
who was sitting on the loose puncheon
door, 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
Temember 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
elutched them hard in his right hand.
Eyes, yes, my son; yes, l am going,
but the time has not yet come for it,
has it?" he stammercd. rs 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:
II beg pardon, Father Beret. I 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 a tight ball. just as
they were when he took them from un-
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
ACATCAI pIdSSl, LIS CIdSpcu 411lCO
toward the crucifx on the WALL
>1~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
I'm 3D. o% +ho
church, telling them that an American
force had taken Kaskaskia and would
thenceforth 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.
II come" said he, "directly from
Colonel George Rogers Clark, a noble
and brave officer Of the American
army, who told me the news that I
have brought to you. He sent me here
to say to you that If you will give al
1egiance to his government you shall
be protected against all enemies and
have the full freedom Of citizens. l
l01HA yOu S1lOu4u "AtuOut
moments hesitation, as l and my peo-
pie at Kaskaskia have already done.
But perhaps you would like to have
= word from your distinguished fel-
low citizen. NJ. Gaspard Roussillon.
Speak to your friends. my son; they
win be glad to take counsel of your
wisdom"
There were a stir and craning of
, ,necks. NJ. Roussillon presently ap-
peared near the chancel, his great
form towering majestically. He bowed
and waved his hand with the air Of one
who accepts distinction as matter
ot esurse; then he took his big silver
watch and looked at it. He was the
,ouly man in Vincennes who owned a
watch, and so the incident was i'm
pressive. Father Gibault looked
pleased. and already murmur of ap-
paause went through the audience. NJ.
R0ussillon stroked the bullying crystal
: of the timepiece with circular motion