The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-11-14
CHAPTER v.
FATHER euBAuLT.


REAT movements in the affairs
4, OF men are like tides of the
seas, which reach and affect
the remotest and Quietest
n0oks and inlets, imparting a thrill
ana a swell Of the general motion.
FATHER Gibault brought the wave Of
she American Revolution 20 vincennes
Ae was a simple missionary, but he
was, besides, a man Of great worldly
knowledge and personal force. Colonel
George Rogers CLARK made Father
9iDaults acquaintance at Kaskaskia
when the fort and it's garrison surren-
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 its people
to the cause of freedom and independ-
ence. Nor was the task assumed a
hard one. as Father Gibault probably
well knew before he undertook it.
A few of the leading men Of Win.
eennes, presided over by Gaspard
Rouasillon, held a consultation at the
river house, and 1t was agreed that z
nass meeting should be called, bring.
ing all OF the inhabitants together II
tiAe church, for the purpose Of consid
czing the course to be taken under
ne circumstances made known by Fa.
thor Gibault Oncle Jazon constituted
himself an executive committee o, ono
% STIR up q noise for the occasion.
Il was a great day for Vincennes
The volatile temperament OF the
grench frontiersmen bubbled over
With enthusiasm at the frst hint Of
nomething 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 II at q venture
Rene de Ronville, being ON 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
aoor, with his back turned toward the
sntrance and 80 absorbed In trying 70
put together a great number of small
PAPER fragments that he did not hear
or look up.
care you not going 10 the meeting,
fatherT' Rene bluntly demanded. In
the hurry that was on him he did not
remember 10 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 IL
has it7" he stammered. els Il later
He sprang TO his feet and appeared
confused, as II caught in doing some
thing very improper.
Rene wondered at this unusual be
havior, but merely said:
II beg pardon, Father Beret. / did
not mean 20 disturb you." and went his
way.
Father Beret stood for some min
utes as II 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 I'm, and put II In his pocket. A
little later he was kneeling. as we have
seen him once before. In silent yet
fervent prayer, his ciasped hands lifted
toward the crucihx on 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
ereoles, 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 It was the
duty OF all Frenchmen 20 help uphold
the cause OF freedom and independ-
ence.
Il come" said he, directly from
Colonel George Rogers Clark. a noble
and brave Oficer OF the American
army, who told me the news that
have brought 20 you. He sent me here
10 say 10 you that II you will give al
lsRfanee to bis government you shall
be protected against all enemies and
have the full freedom OF citizens.
think you bhOulo 10 NhAs WisHoN' .
moments hesitation, az l and my peo-
ple at Kaskaskia have already done.
But perhaps you would like % have
a word from your distinguished Tel
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 q craning OF
necks. NJ ROussiliGn presently ap-
Deared near the chaneei. his great
form towering majestically. he bowed
and waved his hand with the air OF one
who accepts distinction as a matter
Of course; then be took bis big silver
watch and looked AZ Il He was the
only man In Yincennes Who owned
watch, and % the incident was I'M
pressiVe. Father Gibault looked
80 ~