Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-07

|
always came to the rescue of a threat
ened French post. -.
We need not wonder, then, when we
are told that Father Beret made no
sign of distress or disapproval upon
| being Informed Of the arrival of
| boat loaded with rum, brandy or gin.
| It was Rene de RonviHe who brought
toned as having given the priest a
plate Of squirrels. He was sitting on
the doorsill Of Father Beret's hut
when the old man reached it after his
visit at the Roussillon home and held
in his hand letter which he appeared
proud to deliver.
"A batteau and seven men with q
cargo of liquor came during the rain,"
he said, rising and taking off his Gu
rious cap, which, made Of an animals
skin, had tail jauntily dangling from
it's crown tip, land here is 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"
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 food 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.
''There'll be jolly time of it tonight"
Rene de Ronville remarked; "a roaring
time"
"Why do you say that, my son?' the
priest demanded.
1.-THE wine and the liquor" was the
reply. Much drinking will be DONE
The men have all been dry here for
some time, you know, and are as
thirsty as sand. They are making
ready to enjoy themselves down at the
river house."
'Ah, the poor souls!' sigl.SI Father
Beret, speaking as one whose thoughts
were wandering far away.
"Why don't you read your letter,
Father?' Rene added.
The priest started, turned the soiled
square Of paper over in his hand, then
thrust it inside his robe -.
lit can wait" he said. Then, chang
ing his voice: 1.-THE squirrels you gave
me were excellent, my son. 1t was
good of you to think of me-" he added,
laying his hand on Rene's arm.
"Oh, I'm glad If have pleased you,
Father Beret, for you are so kind to
me always, and to everybody. When l
killed the squirrels l said to myself:
These are young, juicy and tender;
Father Beret must have these 50 I
brought them along"
The young man rose to go, for he
was somehow impressed that Father
Beret must wish opportunity to read
his letter and would prefer to be left
alone with it. But the priest pulled
him down again.
"Stay awhile" he said, II have not
had talk with you for some time"
Rene looked trif1e uneasy.
"You will not drink any tonight, my
son." Father Beret added. "You must
not. Do you hear?'
The young mans eyes and mouth at
once began to have a su}len express
sion. Evidently he was not pleased and
felt rebellious, but it was hard for him
to resist Father Beret, whom he loved,
as did every soul in the post. The
md
yet positive to a degree. Rene did not
say word.
promise me that you will not taste
liquor this night Father Beret went
on, grasping the young mans arm
firmly. Promise me, my son; promise
me-"
Still Rene was silent. The men did
not look at each other but gazed away
across the country beyond the Wabash
to where glory from the western sun
famed on the upper rim of a great
cloud fragment creeping along the hori-
ZOn.
"Eh bien, must co." said Rene pres
emily, getting to his feet nimbly and
evading Father Berets hand, which
would have held him.
Mot to the river house, my SON"
said the priest rappealingly.
mo, not there. l have another letter;
one for M'sieu' Roussillon. It came by
the boat too. 1 go to give it to- Nine
Roussillon"
Rene de Ronville was dark, weather
stained young fellow, neither tall nor
short, wearing buckskin moccasins,
trousers and tunic. His eyes were dark
brown, keen, quick moving, set well
under heavy brows. A razor had prob
ably never touched his face and his
thin, curly beard crinkled over his
strongly turned cheeks and chin, while
his mustaches sprang out quite f1ercely
above his full Tipped, almost sensual
mouth. He looked wiry and active. a
man not to be lightly reckoned with in
a trial of bodily strength and will
power. s..
Father Beret's face and voice chang
ed on the instant. he laughed dryly
and said, with sly CLEAN in his eyes:
you could spend the evening pleas