Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-18

great cuauSe was coming INTO lef lQyl-
lie life. She was indistinctly aware of
it, as we sometimes are of an approach
ing storm while yet the sky is sweetly
blue and serene. When she reached
home the house was full of people to
whom NJ. Roussillon, in the gayest of
moods, was dispensing wine and bran
dy.
"Vive Zhorzh vasintonv' shouted
Oncle Jazon as soon as he saw her.
And then they all talked at once, say
ing fattering things about her. Nine.
Roussillon tried to scold as usual, but
the lively chattering Of the guests
drowned her voice.
81 suppose the American commander
will send a garrison here" some one
said to Father Gibault, land repair the
fort"
"Probably," replied the priest .'in
very few weeks. Meantime we will
garrison it ourselves"
land we will have M. Roussillon for
commander" spoke up Rene de Ron
vile, who was standing by.
"A good suggestion" assented Father
Gibault LET US organize at once"
Immediately the word was passed
that there would be a meeting at the
fort that evening for the purpose of
choosing garrison and commander.
Everybody went promptly at the hour
set. NJ. Roussillon was elected captain
by reclamation, with Rene de Ronville
as his lieutenant. 1t was observed that
Oncle Jazon had resumed his dignity
and that he looked into his cap several
times without speaking.
Meantime certain citizens who had
been in close relation with Governor
Abbott during his stay quietly slipped
out Of town, manned a batteau and
went up the river, probably to Ouiate-
non first and then to Detroit. Doubt
less they suspected that things might
soon grow too warm for their comfort.
1t was thus that Vincennes and Fort
Sackville first acknowledged the Amer
fcan government and hoisted the flag
which. as long as it floated over the
blockhntse, was lightly and lovingly
called bg every one la banniere d'Alice
Roussillon.
Father Gibault returned to Fort Kas-
kaskia and little later Captain Leon
ard Helm, a jovial man, but past the
prime of life, arrived at Eincennes with
a commission from Colonel Clark au-
thorizing him to supersede Nj. Roussil-
Ion as commander and to act as Indian
agent for the American government in
the department of the Wabash. He
was welcomed by the villagers and at
once made himself very pleasing to
them by adapting himself to their ways
and entering heartily into their social
activities.
NJ. Roussillon was absent when Cap
tain Helm and his party came. Rene
de Ronville, nominally in command Of
the fort, but actually enjoying some ex-
cellent grouse shooting with a bell
mouthed old fowling piece on a distant
prairie, could not be present to deliver
up the post, and as there was no garri-
son just then visible Helm took pos
session without any formalities.
III think, lieutenant, that you'd better
look around through the village and see
If you can scare up this Captain What's
his-name," said the new commander to
stalwart young officer who had come
with him. Il can't think Of these
French names without getting my brain
in twist. DO you happen to recollect
the captains name, lieutenant"'
Eyes, sir-Gaspard Roussillon it reads
In Colonel Clark's order, but l am told
that he's away on a trading tour" said
the young man.
"You may be told anything by these
hair tongued parlyvoos," Helm remark.
ed. ut won't hurt, anyway, to find out
where he lives and make a formal call
just for appearance sake, and to in
Quire about his health. 1 wish you
! would try it, sir, and let me know the
| result
The lieutenant felt that this was a
peremptory order and turned about to
obey promptly.
"And say, Beverley, come back So
Der if you possibly cam" Helm added
in his most genial tone, thinking it a
great piece of humor to suggest sobri-
ETY. to man whose marked difference
from the men Of that time was his to.
tai abstinence from Intoxicating drinks
Lieutenant Fitzhugh Beverley was q
Virginian Of Virginians His family
had long been prominent in colonial
affairs and boosted record of great
achievements both in peace and in war
He was the only son of his parents
and heir to fine estate consisting of
lands and slaves; but, like many an,
other Of the restless young cavaliers
of the Old Dominion, he had come in
search Of adventure over into Ken.
lucky, along the path blazed by Dan.
tel Boone, and when Clark organized
his little army the young mans
I patriotic and chivalric nature leaped
at the opportunity to serve his country
under so gallant commander.
Intent upon his formal mission, Lieu
tenant Beverley stalked boldly into the
Enclosure at Roussillon place and was
met on the gallery by Nine. Roussillor
in one of her worst moods. She glared
at him with her hands on her hips, bel
mouth set irritably aslant upward, bel