Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-04-28
CHAPTER xxxIv.
THE REGENTS PRoMIsE.

Tell me, then, Monsieur Las, of this
new America. ] would fain have some
information at first hand. There was
rumor, / know not how exact, that you
once travelled in those regions. .
Thus spake his grace Philippe, duke
of Orleans, regent of France. now, in
effect, ruler of France. 1t was the au-
dience which had been arranged for
John Law, that opportunity for which
he had waited all his life. Before him
now, as he stood in the great council
chamber, facing this man whose ambi-
tions ended where his own began-at
the conviyial board and ait the gam
ing table-he saw the path which led
to the success that he had craved so
long. He, Law of Lauriston, some
time adventurer and gambler, was now
playing his last and greatest game.
Your Grace said he, there be
many who might better than tell you
of that America. +"
There are many who should be
able, and many who do" replied the
regent. by the body of the Lord! we
get nothing but information regarding
these provinces of New France, and
each advice is worse than the one pre-
ceding it. The gist of it all is that
my lord governor and my very good
intendant can never agree, save upon
one point or so. They want more
money, and they want more soldiers
all, yes, to be sure, they also want
more women, though we sent them out
a ship load of choice beauties not
more than a six-month ago. But tell
me, Monsieur Las, is it indeed true
that you have travelled in American"
For short time"
81 have heard nothing regarding you
from the intendant at Quebec"
'sYour grace was not at that time
caring for intendants. Twas many
years ago, and I was not well known
at Quebec by my own name"
"Eh bien? Some adventure, then,
perhaps? A woman at the bottom of
it, warrant
'sYour grace is right
"'Twas like you, for a fellow of
good zest. May God bless all fair
danes. And as to what you found in
thus following was it in fleeing
your divinity"
81 found many things. For one,
that this America is the greatest coun-
try of the world. Neither England nor
France is to be compared with it. .
The regent fell back in his chair and
laughed heartily.
Monsieur. you are indeed, as
have ever found you, of most excellent
wit. You please me enormously
"But, your grace, am entirely Sc
rious."
ooh, come, spoil not so good a jest
by qualifying, I beseech you! En-
gland or France, indeed-ah, Monsieur
Las, Monsieur Last"
Your own city of New Orleans, sire,
will lie at the gate of a realm greater
than all France. Your grace will hand
to the young king, when he shall come
of age, a realm excellently worth the
ownership of any king.
You say rich. In what way y asked
the regent. I'VE have not had so much
of returns after all. Look at Crozat?
Look at
@Oh fe, Crozatl Your grace, he
solved not the first problem of real
commerce. He never dreamed the real
richness OF, America. =
Philippe sat thoughtful, his finger
tips together. Why have we not
heard of these things?'' said he.
Because OF men like Crozat, OF men
like your governors and intendants at
Quebec. Because, your grace, as you
know very well, of the same reason
which sent me once from Paris, and
kept me so long from laying before
you these very plans Of which | now
would speak
ssAnd that cause?"
'Maintenon.'
ooh, ah! Indeed THAT is to say
Louis would hear naught OF me, of
course. Maintenon took care that he
should find l was but hereto"
'As for myself said Philippe the
regent, hereto or not hereto makes
but small figure For us, tbs most a
4uCol1O44 VI INV W 1AOCP bAAO tAAAto AZ
the saddle and France underneath. "
Precisely, your grace. /"
Frankly, Monsieur Las, take it
fittest now not SO much to ponder over
NEW worlds as over how to keep in
touch with this old world yet awhile
France has danced, though for years
she danced to the tune of Louis clad
in black. Now France must pay for
the music. My faith. like not the
look Of things. The joyful France to-
day is hideous thing. These people
laugh! / had sooner see lion grin.
Now to govern those given us by proyi-
dence to govern, and the regent
smiled grimly at the ancient fiction,
s'it is most meet that the governed
should produce somewhat of funds in
order that they may be governed
Yes, and the error has been in go
ing too far said Law These peo-
pie have been taxed beyond the taxa