The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-12-23
CHAPTER XIV.

- again, reyiving the surgeons
hope. When blood and life mounted
and my torn side sewed up its gap in q
healthy scar, adding another to my
collection, autumn was upon US. From
the hunting lodges Oh Lake George
and the Williamses Of Longmeadow l
went to the scorched capital Of Wash
lngton. In the end the government
helped me with my Indian plan,
though when Skenedonk and I pushed
out toward Illinois territory we had
only my pay and a grant Of land.
Peace -:as not formally made until
December, but the war ended that
summer.
The Oneidas were ready 20 follow
wherever led them, and so weie many
families Of the Iroquois federation.
But the Mohawk tribe held back.
However, I felt confident Of material
for an Indian state when the founda'
ton should be laid
We started lightly equipped upon
the horse paths. The long journey by
water and shore brought US in Octo-
Der to the head Of Green bay.
Green Bay, or La Baye, as the fur
hunters called 1t, was little post al
most like New England village
among its elms+one street and few
outlying houses beside the Fox river.
The open world had been our tavern,
or any sod or log hut cast up like a
burrow Of human prairie dogs or
moles. We did not expect to find a
tavern in Green Bay. Yet such place
was pointed opt to US near the fur
company's block warehouse.
Our host served US himself. Hls tap
room was the fireplace cupboard, and
it was visited while we ate our sup
per by men In elkskin trousers and
caps and hooded capotes Of blue cloth.
These Canadians mixed their own
drink and made o cross mark on the
inside Of the cupboard door, using a
system Of bookkeeping evidently
agreed upon between themselves and
the landlord.
Nightfall was very clear and fair IN
this northwestern territory. 4 man felt
nearer to the sunset The region took
hold upon me, particularly when one
who was neitherea warehouseman nor
q Canadian fur hunter hurried IL and
took me by the hand
.Io.m Pierre Grignon," he said
Indeed, if he had keh his fiddle and
tuned it upon an arm not quite so
stout, l should have known without
being told that he was the man who
had played in the Saint-Michel cabin.
We sat and talked until the light
faded. The landlord brought candle
and yelled up the loft, where Skene-
dcnk had already stretched himself in
his blanket:
"Chambermaid, light up"
"Neyer mind" said Pierre Grignon.
"I'm going to take these. travellers
home with me-"
"Now I know how tavern ought to
be kept" said the landlord. But
what's the use Of my keeping one If
Pierre Grignon carries of all the
guests?"
"He is my old friend" told the
landlord.
Hes old friend to everybody that
comes to Green Bay. I'll never get so
much as sign painted to hang in
front Of the Palace tavern"
gave him twice his charges and
he said:
what loss it was to enterprise in
the Bay when Pierre Grignon came
here and built for the whole United
States"
The Grignon house, whether built
for tie whole United States or not,
was the largest in Green Bay. A hall
divided the house through the center,
and here Nine. Grignon welcomed me
as if were long expected guest, for
this was her custom, and as soon as
she clearly remembered me, led me in
to a drawing room where stately old
lady sat making lace.
This was the grandmother Of the
house. Such house would have been
Incomplete without grandmother ct
the hearth.
Stools there were for children, and
armchairs for old people were not
lacking. The small yellow spinning
wheel Of Nine. Ursule, as found
afterward Nine. Grignon was COM
monty called, stood ready to revolve
its golden disk wherever she sat.
The servants were Pawnee Indians,
moving about their duties almost with
stealth.
The little Grignon daughter who had
stood lost In wonder at the dancing Of
Annabel de Chaumont was now a
turner Of heads herself. all faxen
white and contrasting with the dark
ness Of Katatna Tank. Katarina was
taken home to the Grignons after her
mothers death. Both girls had been
educated in Montreal
"Poor Nine. Tank! She would have
been so much more comfortable in her
death If she had relieved her mind"
Nine. Ursule said the first evening.
"She used to speak Of you often, for
seeing you made great impression
upon Ter and she never let US forget
you. I am sure she knew more about
you than she ever told me. Z have an
important disclosure to make she
says. Come around me; want all Of
you to hear itr Then she fell back
and died without telling It."
A touch Of mystery was not lacking
to the house. Several times saw the
tail Of gray gown disappear through
an open door. Some woman half en-
tered and drew back
"Its Madeleine Jordan" an inmate
told ME each time ''She avoids
asked If Madeleine Jordan was q
relative.
"Oh. no." Nine. Ursule replied; "but
the family who brought her here went
ha ri, IN Canada. and of course thew left