Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-11-24

ther Gibauit. Oncle .Jazon constituted
himself an executive committee Of one
to stir up noise for the occasion.
1t was great day for Vincennes
The volatile temperament Of the
French frontiersmen bubbled 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 1t was that Father Gibault and
Oncle Jazon wanted Of them, they
were all In favor of 1t AZ venture.
Rene de Ronyille, 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
ioOr, with his back turned toward the
entrance and so absorbed in trying to
put together 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
clutched them hard i'm his right hand.
"Yes. yes, my son: yes, am going.
but the time has not yet come for 1t.
has ii :" he stammered. "Is it late?'
He sprang to his feet and appeared
confused, as If caught In doing some.
thing very improper.
Rene wondered ut this unusual be-
havior, but merely said:
81 beg pardon, Father Beret. l did
not mean to disturb yOu," and went his
way.
Father Berct stood for some min.
utes as IL dazed, then squeezed the pa
per fragments into 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
fervent prayer, his claspcd hands lifted
toward the crucifx OH 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
| thenceforth hold it; that France had
Joined hands with the Americans
against the British, and that 1t was the
duty Of all Frenchmen to help uphold
the cause Of freedom and indepcnd-
ence.
81 come" said he, directly from
Colonel George Rogers Clark. 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 AMI
have the full freedom Of citizens. |
think you should do this without
moments hesitation, as | and my peo-
ple 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
will be glad to take counsel OF your
wisdom"
There were 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
of course; then he took his big silver
watch and looked at it. He was the
only man I'm Vincennes who owned Il
watch, and so the incident was i'm
DlpSSlNt. EatuNl Ntibab's ''O'N'N
pleased, and already Il murmur of ap-
plause went through the audience. NJ.
Roussillon stroked the bulsing crysta!
of the timepece with circular motion
of his thumb and bowed again. clear
ing his throat resonantly, his lace
growing purplish above his beard.
Good friends" he said what
France does all high class Frenchmen
applaud" He paused for shout or
appreciation and was not disappointed.
"1he other name for France is glory
he added. land all true Frenchmen
love both names | am true French
man. and lie struck his breast II 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 Il
smash, followed by scattered tin
king Of glass fragments.