Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-11-26

discerning the fine quality of the
priests character. sent him to the post
on the Wabash to win over its people
10 the cause of freedom and intlcpcnd-
encc. Nor was the task assumed i
hard one. as Father Gibault probably
we'll knew before he undertook it.
4 fcw Of the leading men of Vim
ccnncs presided over by Gaspard
Rouss!lon. held Il consultation ut the
river house. and it was agreed that a
mass meeting should be called. bring
in- all of the inhabitants together in
the church. for tho purpose of consid-
erin@ til" course tn he taken under
the circumstances made known by Fa-
thor Gibault. Onclc IaZon constituted
himself an executive committee of ono
to stir up a noise for the occasion.
1t was great day for Nincennes.
The volatile temperament Of the
French frontiersmcn buhblcd 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 it was that Father Gibault and
Oncle .IaZon wanted of them. they
were all in favor of it ut a venture.
Rene de Ronville. being an 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
floor, with his back turned toward the
entrance and so absorbed in trying to
put together great number Of small
paper fragments that he did not hear
or look up.
care you not going to the meeting.
father:" Rene bluntly demanded. In
the hurry that was on him he did not
remember to be formally polite. as was
his habit.
The old priest locked UP with :; star
the fragments Of paper together and
clutched them hard in his right hand.
Eyes, yes, my son: yes, am going,
but the time has not yet come for it.
has it," he stammered. lis it late?"
He sprang to his feet and appeared
confused, us if caught in doing some
thing very improper.
Rene wondered at this unusual be-
havior, but merely said:
II beg pardon, Father Berct. did
not mean to disturb YOU" and went his
way.
L>ofh cf0 mi
utes as if dazed, then squeezed the pa
per fragments into tight ball. just rs
they were when he took them from I'm.
der the floor some time before Rene
came in, and put it in his pocket. \
little later he was kneeling, as we have
seen him once before. in silent yet
fervent prayer. his clasped hands lifted
toward the crucifix OH the wall.
"Jesus. give me strength to hold on
and do my work." he murlnurcd he
seemingly. And, oh, free thy poor
servant from bitter temptation
Father Gibault had come prepared
to use his eloquence upon the cXcitable
creoles. 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 tho
duty of all Frenchmen to help uphold
the cause of freedom and independ-
ence.
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 to you that if you will give al
legiance to his government you shall
be protected against all enemies and
have the full freedom of citizens
think you should do this without Il
moments hesitation. as l and my peo-
But perhaps you would like to have
a word from your distinguished fell
low citizen, NJ. Gaspard Roussillon,
Speak to your friends. my son; they
will be glad to take counsel Of your
wisdom
4ucIc WSIS d Sl4I anu IL SldAAuS Va
necks NJ Roussillon presently APP
peared near the chancel, his great
form towering majestically. He bowed
and waved his hand with the air of one
who accepts distinction as matter
Of course; then he took his big silver
watch and looked at it. He was the
only man in Vincennes who owned a
watch, and so the incident was i'm
pressive. Father Gibault looked
pleased, and already a murmur of ap-
plause went through the audience. NJ.
Roussillon stroked the bullying crystal
Of the tmepiece with circular motion
Of his thumb and bowed again, clear
ing his throat resonantly, his face
growing purplish above his beard.
"Good friends" he said, what
France does all high class Frenchmen