Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-05-05


mand our notes rather than coin Of
the realm OF France.
Yes, yes, broke in the prince we
are agreed as to all this, but there is
much talk about further plans Of this
Monsieur Las. He has the ear of his
grace the regent, surely. Now sir,
tell us what you know of these future
affairs.
The rumor is. as understand it. !"
answered Varenne, that he is to take
over control Of the Company Of the
West to succeed, in short, to the shoes
Of Anthony Crozat. There come GU
rious stories Of this province of LOUISE
ana.
ssOf course, resumed the prince,
with easy wisdom, we all OF us know
of the voyage of L'TIuillier, who, with
his four ships, went up this great river
Messasebe, and who. as is well known,
found that river of Blue Earth, de-
scribed by early writers as Astounding
In gold and gems.
Aye, and there comes the strange
part Of it, and this is what ] would lay
before your lordships as bearing up
on the value of the shares Of this new.
bank, since it is taking over the char
ter Of the Company of the West. II is
news not yet known upon the street.
The story goes that the half has not
been told of the wealth of these PROV
inces.
Now, as you say, LHuillier had
with him four ships, and it is well
known that his gentlemen had with
them certain ladies of distinction,
among these mysterious dame re-
ported to have earlier travelled in por-
lions of New France. The name Of
this mysterious female is not known,
save that she is reported to have been
a good friend of a sous-lieutenant of
The regiment Carignan, sometime
dweller at Quebec and Montreal, and
who later became a lieutenant under
L'Huillier. It is said that this same
mysterious fair, having returned from
America and having cast aside her
lieutenant, has come under protection
of no less a person than his grace
Philippe of Orleans, the regent Now,
as you know, the bank is the best
friend of the regent, and this mys-
FERROUS dame, as we are advised by
servants of his grace's household hath
fold his grace such stories of the wealth
of the Messasebe that he has secretly
and quickly made over the control OF
the trade of those provinces to this
new bank. There is story also that his
grace himself will not lack profit in
this movement"
The hand of Cont smote hard upon
the table. "Bg heaven. it were strange
thing said he. if this foreign trav-
eler should prove the same mysterious
beauty Philippe is reported to have
kept in hiding. My faith, is It indeed
true that we are come upon time
of miracles r.
Listen! broke in Varenne, his ar
der overcoming his obsequiousness.
These are some of the tales brought
back and reported privately, I can as
sure you, gentlemen now for the first
time and to yourselves. The people
of this country are said to be clad in
beauteous raiment, made of skins, Of
grasses, and of the barks of trees
Their ornaments are made of pure, vel
low gold, and of precious gems which
they pick up from the banks of the
streams, as common as pebbles here in
France. The climate is such that all
things grow in the most unrivaled
fruitfulness. There is neither too
raueh sun nor too much rain The
| lakes and rivers are vast and beautiful,
and the forests are filed with myriads
of strange and sweet-voiced birds. Tis
said that the dream Of Ponce de Leon
hath been realized, and that not only
one, but a score of fountains of youth
have been discovered in this great val
ley. The people are said never to grow
old Their personal beauty is of sur
passing nature, and their disposition
easy and complaisant to the last de-
gree"
My faith, say on.a broke in ne Ia
| ghaise- " lis surely a story Of para
iise which you recount.
| But, listen, gentlemenl The story
goes yet farther. AS to mines Of gold
and silver, twas matter of report that
such mines are common in all the val
ley Of the Messasebe. Indeed the
whole surface Of the earth, in some
parts, is covered with Jumps Of gold,
SO that the natives care nothing for it..
The bottoms Of the streams, the
beaches Of the lakes, carry as many
particles Of gold as they have pebbles
and little stones. As for silver, none
take note Of it. lis used as building
stone.
IN the name Of Jehovah, is there
support for these wonders you have
spoken. broke in Fraslin the Jew,
his eyes shining with suppressed ex-
citenent
Assuredly Yet am telling not
half Of the news which came to my
knowledge this very morning the
story is said to have emanated from