The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-09-03


wholly occupied with their trading,
| trapping and missionary work, were
late finding out that war existed be-
tween England and her colonies. Nor
did II really matter much with Them
one way or another. They felt secure
In their lonely situation, and so went
on selling their trinkets. weapons do
nestle implements, blankets and in
toxicating liquors to the Indians, whom
they held bound to them with n power
never possessed by any other white
jewellers in the wilderness. Father
Beret was probably subordinate to
Father Gibault. At all events the lat
ter appears TO have had nominal charge
of NincenncS, and II can scarcely he
doubted that he left Father Beret on
the Wabash while he went TO live and
labor for a time at Kaskaskia, beyond
the plains of Illinois.
1t is Il curious fact that religion and
the power Of rum and brandy worked
together successfully for Il long time
in giving the French posts almost alb
solutc influence over the wild and saw
age men by whom they We're always
surrounded. The good priests depre-
Gated the traffic in liquors and tried
hard to control 1t, but soldiers of for
tune aud reckless traders were In the
majority, their interests taking proceed
enCe of all spiritual demands and car
rying everything along. What could
the brave missionaries do but make the
very best of a perilous situation?
But If the effect of rum as n bev-
erage had strong allurement for the
white man, 1t made an absolute slave
of the Indian, who never hesitated for
Il moment to undertake any task, no
matter how hard bear any privation,
even the most terrible. or brave any
danger, although it might demand
reckless desperation, if in the end
well filed bottle or jug appeared as
his reward
or course the traders did not over
look such Il source of power Alcoholic
liquor became their implement of al
most magical work in controlling the
lives. laborS and resources of the In
dams. The priests, with their captivat-
ilAH NN'lg VI NV NlbSNt lluAl IL III
fuencc in softening savage natures
and averting many an awful danger,
but, when everything else failed, rum
always came to the rescue of threat
ened French post.
We need not wonder, then, when we
are told that Father Beret made no
sign of distress or disapproval upon
hninp fnfnrpNnI nf tho arrival Of a
boat loaded with rum, brandy or gin.
1t was Rene de Ronville who brought
the news, the same Rene already men
toned as having given the priest II
plate of squirrels. He was sitting on
the doorsil OF Father Berets hut
when the old man reached II after his
visit mt the Roussillon home and held
in his hand a letter which he appeared
| proud to deliver.
"a batteau and seven men with a
cargo of liquor came during the rain"
he said, rising and taking Off his Gu
rious cap, which, made OF an animals
skin, had tail jauntlly dangling from
its crown tip, land here is letter for
you, father The batteau Is from New
Orleans. Eight men started with It,
but one went ashore to hunt and was
killed by an Indian"
Father Beret took the letter without
apparent interest and said:
"Thank you, my son. sit down again;
the door log Is not wetter than the
stools inside; will sit by you"
The wind had driven a food Of rain
into the cabin through the open door,
ana water twinkled I'm puddles here
ana there on the floors puncheons.
They sat down size by side, Father
Beret lingering the letter in an absent
minded way.