The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-10-03

~ OF men are like tides OF the
Va IL seas, which reach and affect
the reInotest and quietest
hooks and inlets, imparting thrill
and swell OF the general motion.
Father Gibault brought the wave OF
the American Revolution 10 Vincennes.
He was simple missionary, but he
was, besides, man OF great worldly
knowledge and personal force. Colonel
George Rogers Clark made Father
Gibault's acquaintance Mt Kaskasllia
when the fort and its garrison surren-
dcred 10 his command and, quickly
discerning the fine quality OF the
priests character. sent him 10 the post
on the Wabash TO win over its people
20 the cause OF freedom and independ-
ence. Nor was the task assumed
hard one, as Father Gibault probably
well knew before he undertook ii.
A few OF the leading men OF Vim
cennes, presided over by Gaspard
Roussillon, held q consultation M the
river house, and II was agreed that a
mass meeting should be called. bring
Ing all OF the inhabitants together In
the church, for the purpose Of consid-
ering the course to be taken under
the circumstances made known by Fa-
ther Gibault. onclc Jazon constituted
himself an executive committee OF one
TO stir mp n noise for the occasion.
1t was great day for Vincennes.
The volatile temperament OF the
French frontiersmen dubbed 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 II was that Father Gibault and
Onclc Jazon wanted OF them, they
were all I'm favor OF II nj venture.
Rene dc Ronville. being an active and
intelligent young man, was sent about
through the town 10 let everybody
know of the meeting. In passing he
stepped into the cabin OF Father Beret,
who was sitting on the loose puncheon
floor. with his back turned toward the
entrance and so absorbed I'm trying 10
put together great number OF small
paper fragments that he did not hear
or look mp.
Are you not going 10 the meeting
father" Rene bluntly demanded. In
the hurry that was on him he did not
remember to be formally polite, az was
his habit
The old priest looked up with n star.
cled face. At the same time he swept
The fragments of paper together and
clutched them hard in his right hand.
Yes, yes, my son; yes, / am going
but the time has not yet come for IT,
has IT." he stammercd. rs II lateg"
He sprang 10 his feet and appeared
confused. as II caught in doing some
thing very improper.
Rene wondered at this unusual be
havior, but merely said:
Il beg pardon, Father Beret. did
not mean 10 disturb You" and went his
way.
Father Berct stood for some min
utes as II dazcd, then squeezed the pa
per fragments into a tight ball. just as
they were when he took them from I'M
der the floor some time before Rene
came IN. and put IL in MS pocket A
little later ho WAS kncelng. as We have
seen him once before, in silent yet
fervent prayer, his clasped hands lifted
toward the crucinx on the wall
Jesus, give me strength 20 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
creoIcs and with considerable cunning
he addressed motley audience at the
church. telling them that an American
force had taken Kaskaskia and would
hold IL; that France had
joined hands with the Americans
against the British. and that IL was the
duty Of all Frenchmen TO help uphold
the cause OF freedom and indepcnd.
ence. M
II 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 60 you tiiat n you will give al
lagiance TO his government you shall !
be protected against All enemies and
hpve the full freedom of icitlzcns. |
think you shnild do this without
Moments hesitation. assI and my peo-
pie at Kaskaskia have already done. |
But perhaps you would Ike 20 have
4 word from your distinguished fell
low citizen, M. Gaspard Houssillon- !
speak 10 your friends. my son: they