Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-15

squirrels busily hoarded up supplies of the nuts now ripening. The antlers of the deer and the elk which emerged from the concealing thickets now showed 10 longer ragged strips of vel vet, and their tips were polished in the preliminary fitting for the fall season of love and combat. There came nights when the white frost hung heavy upon all the bending grasses and the broad leafed plants. a frost which scared the maize leaves and set aflame the foliage of the naples all along the streams, and decked in a hundred flamboyant tones the leaves of the sumach and all the climbing vines.
 As all things now presaged the com ing winter, so there approached also the time when the little party, so long companions upon the western trails, must for the first time know division. Du Mesne, making ready for the re- turn trip over the unknown waterways back to the lakes, as had been deter mined to be necessary, spoke of it as though the journey were but an affair of every day.
 Make no doubt, Monsieur Las" said he, s'that shall ascend this river of the Illini and reach Michiganon we'll before the snows. Once at the mission of the Miamis, or the village at the river Chicaqua, shall be quite safe for the winter, if I decide not to go farther on. Then, in the spring, make no doubt, shall be able to trade our furs at the straits, if like not the long run down to the Mountain. Thus, you see, I may be with you again some time within the following spring.
 .I hope it may be so, my friend" replied Law, for shall miss you sad- ly enough"
 "'Tis nothing, monsieur; you will be well occupied. Suppose take with me Kataikini and Kabayan, perhaps also Tete Gris. That will give us four paddlers for tho big canoe, and you will still have left Pierre Noir and Jean, to say nothing of our friends the Illini hereabout, who will be glad enough to make cause with you in case of need. I will leave Wabana for madame, and trust she may prove of service. See to it. pray you, that she observes the offices of the church; for methinks, unless watched, Wabana is disposed to become careless and un- Christianized."
 "This will look to- said Law, smiling
 Then all is we'll" resumed Du Mesne, land my absence will be but a little thing, as we measure it on the trails. You may find a winter alone in the wilderness bit dull for you, may J,,1J ;x, ' r,r even in Quebec. Yet twill pass, and in time we sh all meet again. Perhaps some good father will be wishing to come back with me to set up mis- sion among the Illini. These good fathers, they so delight in losing f1n- gers, and ears, and noses for the good of the church-though where the church be glorif1ed therein some times cannot say Perhaps some leech -mayhap some artisan"
 May, 'tis too f>1 spot, Du Mesne, to tempt others than ourselves"
 Upon the contrary rather Monsieur Las. It is matter for laughter to see the efforts 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 cheeks 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 Alle- ghanies,"
 Iris 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. Monsieurs eldest daughter is making sheep's eyes at such and such soldier of the regi- ment of the king. Very we'll, this is weighty matter, of which the king must be advised! Monsieur's wife be- comes expectant of a son and heir. 'Tis meet that Louis the Great should be advised of this! Mother of God! Iris a pretty mess enough back there on the St. Lawrence, where not hen may cackle over it's new-laid egg but the K1uS must kuOW IL, duu Wu6T0s uOI a family has meat enough for it's 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 'tis 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. "I only know, for my part"