The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-09-14
CHAPTER ".
THE FIRST MAYOR OF vINcENNEs.

sent TO him by his creole friend
In New Orleans. He had been gone
from Vincennes several months when
the batteau arrived, having been re-
called TO Detroit by the British au-
thorities, and he never returned. Mean
time the little post with its quaint cab
ins and its dilapidated blockhouse, call
ed Fort Sackville, lay summing drowsily
by the river In a blissful state OF help
lessness from the military point of
view. There was no garrison, the two
or three pieces Of artillery, abandoned
and exposed, gathered rust and cob
webs, while the pickets of the stockade,
decaying and loosened in the ground h,
winter freezes and summer rains, lean
ed In all directions, picture of decay
and inetticiency.
NJ. Gaspard Roussillon was looked
upon as the aristocrat par excellence of
VincenneS. Notwithstanding the fact
that his name bore no suggestion Of no
BILE and titled ancestry. He was rich
and I'm n measure educated moreover,
the successful mans patent of leader
ship, a commanding figure and a suave
manner, came always to his assistance
when crisis presented itself He trad
ed shrewdly, much to his own profit.
but invariably with the excellent re.
suit that the man, white or Indian,
with whom he did business felt him
self especially favored in the transac-
ton. BY the exercise of firmness, pru.
dence, vast assumption, tiord eloquence
and kindly liberality he had greatly
endeared himself to the people, so that
in the absence of military command
er he came naturally to be regarded as
the chief of the town, m'sieu' lie marie.
He returned from his extended trad
ing expedition about the middle of
July, bringing, AS was his invaNable
rule, gift for Alice. This time it was
a small, thin disk of white flint, with
a hole In the center through which
beaded cord of sinew was looped. The
edge of the disk was beautifully notch
ed and the whole surface polished so
that 1t shone like glass, while the
beads, made of very small segments of
porcupine quilts, We're variously dyed,
making a curiously CANDY show of
colors.
"There now, ma cherie, is something
worth fifty times its weight in gold"
said NJ. Roussllon when he presented
the necklace to his foster daughter
with pardonable self satisfaction. TT
is a sacred charm string given me by
an old heather who would sell his soul
for pint of cheap rum. He solemnly
informed me that whoever wore 1t
could not 10y any possibility be killed
by an enemy"
Alice kissed NJ. Roussillon.
"It's SO curious and beautiful" she
said, holding it up and drawing the
variegated string through her fingers.
| Then with her mischievous laugh she
added: "And I'm glad it Is so powerful
against ones enemy. I'll wear 1t when
ever l go where Adrienne Bourcler Is.
See If don't!"
Els she your enemy? What's up be-
tween you and Ia petite Adrienne,
You We're always the best of good
friends, I thought. What's happened?
sob, we are good friends" said
Alice quickly. "very good friends, in
deed; | was but chatting"
Good friends, but enemies; that's
how it is with women. Who's the
young man that's caused the GOODNESS
l could guess, maybe" He laughed
and winked knowingly. "May be so
bold as to name him at a venture?"
"Yes, If you'll be sure to mention NJ.
Rene de Ronville," she gayly answered.
"Who but he could work Adrienne up
into perfect green mist of jealousy"
"He would need an accomplish,
should imagine; young lady of some
beauty and Il good deal of heartless-
ness"
Like whom, for examples" And she
tossed her bright head. Not me, ] am
sure"
"Poh! Like every pretty maiden in
the whole world, ma petite coquette
They're all alike as peas, cruel as blue
jays and as sweet as apple blossoms. y
He stroked her hair clumslly with his
large hand, as heavy and roughly
fond man is apt to do, adding in an al
most serious tone:
But my little girl Is better than most
of them-not foolish mischief maker
l hope"
Alice was putting her head through
the string OF beads and letting the
translucent white disk fall into hei
bosom.
"Its time to change the subject
said she. "Tell me what you have
seen while away. l wish | could &c
far Off and see things. Have you beer
to Detroit, Quebec, MontrealT'
"Yes, I've been to all, long, hard
journey, tut reasonably profitable. You
shall have goodly dot when you gel
married, my child"
"And did you attend any parties o.
ballsT she inquired quickly, ignoring
his concluding remark. "Tell me about
them. / want to know what you saw
In the great towns-in the fine houses
how the ladies looked, how they act
ed-what they said-the dresses they