The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-09-17
CHAPTER V.
FATHER GlBAULT.

hooks and inlets, impartlng n thrill
and swell OF the general motion.
Father Gibault brought the wave of
the American Revolution to Nincennes.
He was Il simple missionary, but he
was, besides, a man of great worldly
knowledge and personal force. Colonel
George Rogers Clark made Father
Gibault's acquaintance at Kaskaskia
when the fort and its garrison surren.
dcred to his command, and, quickly
discerning the fine quality of the
priests character, sent him to the post
on the Wabash to win over its people
TO the cause of freedom and independ
ence. Nor was the task assumed
hard one. as Father Gibaut probably
well knew before he undertook it.
A few of the leading men of Vim
cennes, presided over by Gaspard
Roussillon. held consultation at the
river house, and 1t was agreed that
mass meeting should be called. bring
ing all of the inhabitants together in
the church, for the purpose of consid.
cring the course to be taken under
the circumstances made known by Fa-
Their Gibault. Oncle JaZon constituted
himself an executive committee of one
to stir up 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
Oncle JDzon wanted OF them. they
were all in favor of 1t ut venture.
Rene de Ronville, being an active and
intelligent young man, was sent about
through Me 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, win 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.
"Are 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 looked up with a star.
tied face At the same time he swept
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 vet comp>for It,
has II ~ he stammercd. us 1t late?"
He sprang to his feet and appeared
confused, as if caught in doing some
thing very improper,
Rene wondered at this unusual be-
havior, but merely said
81 beg pardon, Father Beret. I did
not mean 10 disturb YOU" and went his
way.
Father Beret stood for some min
utes as If dazed, 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 it in his pocket. A
little later he was kneeling, as we have
seen him once before, in silent yet
fervent prayer, his clasped hands lifted
| toward the crucitiX on the wall.
"Jesus, give me strength to 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
creoles. and with considerable cunning
he addressed motley audience at the
church, telling them that an American
force had taken Kaskaskla and would
thenceforth hold It: that France had
Joined hands with the Americans
against the British, and that 1t was the
duty of all Frenchmen to help uphold
the cause of freedom and independ-
ence.
II come" said he, directly from
Colonel George Rogers Clark, Il noble
and brave officer of the American
army, who told me the news that
have brought to you. He sent me here
ia 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 q
moments hesitation, as | and my PEG
pie at Kaskaskia have already done,
But perhaps you would like to have
a word from your distinguished fel.
low citizen, NJ Gaspard Roussillon
Speak to your friends, my son; they
will be glad TO take counsel Of your
wisdom"
There were stir and craning OF
necks. NJ. Roussillon presently ap'
peared near the chancel his great
form towering majestlcally. He bowed
and waved his hand with the air of one
who accepts distinction as a matter
of course; then he took his big silver
watch and looked at 1t. He was the
only man in Nincennes who owned a
watch, and so the incident was i'm
pressive. Father Gibault looked
pleased, and already murmur of ap
plause went through the audience. NJ
Roussillon stroked the bulging crystal
of the timop!ece with a circular motion
of his thumb and bowed again, clear