The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-07-06
Of the .churcA-thoueh where tn,

Church be glorified therein I some
times cannot say Perhaps some leech
-mayhap some artisan"
NAY, It's too far a spot, Du Mesne,
to tempt others than ourselves"
upon The contrary rather, Monsieur
Las. 1t is matter for laughter to see
the efforAs of Louis and his ministers
to keep New France chained to the
st. Lawrence! Yet my good lord gov
ernor might as we'll puff out his checks
against the north wind as to try to
keep New France from pouring west
into the Messasebe; and as much might
be said for those good rulers of the
English colonies, who are seeking ever
to keep their people east of the Allie
ghanies."
"'Tis the old world over again,
there in the st. Lawrence" said Law.
Right you are, Monsieur Las" ex-
claimed Du Mesne. New France is
but an extension of the family Of
Louis. The intendant reports every
thing to the king Monsieur So-and-
so is married. Very well, the king
must know it. Monsieur's eldest
daughter is making sleeps. eyes at
such and such soldier of the regi-
ment of the king. Very well, this is
weighty matter, of which the king
must be advised! Monsieurs wife be-
comes expectant Of son and heir.
IT'S meet that Louis the Great should
be advised of this! Mother of God!
IT'S pretty mess enough back there
on the st. Lawrence, where not hen
may cackle over its new-laid egg but
the king must know it, and where not
a family has meat enough for its chill
dren to eat nor clothes enough to cover
them. My faith, in that poor medley
of little lords and lazy vassals, how
can you wonder that the best of us
have risen and taken to the woods!
Yet It's we who catch their beaver for
them; and if God and the king be will
ing; some time we shall get certain
price for our beaver-provided God and
the king furnish currency to pay us;
and that the governor, the priest and
the intendant ratify the acts of God
and the king!"
Law smiled at the sturdy vehemence
of the others speech, yet there was
something of soberness in his own re-
ply.
"Sir," said he, "you see here my lit
tie crooked rows of maize. look you,
the beaver will pass away, but the
roots of the corn will never be torn
out. Here is your wealth, Du Mesne."'
The sturdy captain scratched his
head. 81 only know, for my part"
said he, chat do not care for the
settlements. Not that would not be
glad to see the king extend his arm
farther to the west. for these sullen
English are crowding us more and
more along our borders. Surely the
land belongs to him who finds it."
Perhaps better to him who can both
find and hold it. But this soil will one
day raise up people of its own
yet as to that" rejoined Du Mesne,
as the two turned and walked back to
the stockade, eve are not here to
handle the affairs Of either Louis or
William. Let us cen leave that to mon
| sieur the intendant, and monsieur the
governor, and our friends, the gray
owls and the black crows, the Recollets
and the Jesuits. mind to call this
spot home with you, if you like.
shall be back as soon as may be with
the things we need, and we shall plant
here no starving colony, but one good
enough for the home of any man.
Monsieur, wish you very well, and
may congratulate you on your daugh-
ter. A heartier infant never was born
anywhere on the water trail between
tho Mountain and the Messasebe.
What name have you chosen for the
young lady. MONSIEUR"
y have decided" said John Law, ito
call her Catharine.'