The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1904-06-10
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE REGENTS PROMISE.

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
| tons ended where his own began-at
the convivial board and at 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 l tell you
of that America"
'There are many who should be
able, and many who do" replied the
regent. by the body of the Lordi 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 thai
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
ah, 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 America"
For short time"
81 have heard nothing regarding you
from the intendant at Quebec"
'Your grace was not at that time
caring for intendants. Twas many
years ago, and | was not we'll known
at Quebec by my own name"
"Eh bien? Some adventure, then,
perhaps? A woman at the bottom of
it, warrant"
"Your grace is right
"'Twas like you, for fellow OF
good zest May God bless all fair
DANES. And as to what you found in
thus following-or was it in fleeing
your divinity"
Il 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" T
"But. your grace, am entirely Sc Y
rious." {
ooh, come, spoil not so good jest r
by qualifying I beseech you! En- q
gland or France, indeed-ah, Monsieur +
L as, Monsieur Las!"
your own city OF New orleans, sire,
will lie at the gate OF realm greater
than all France. Your grace viii nanu
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?" asked
he regent. I'VE have not had SO much
If returns after all Look at Crozat?
Look at"
"Oh fe, Crozat! Your grace, he
solved not the first problem OF real
commerce. He never dreamed the real
ichpass OF America"
Philippe sat thoughtful, his finger
fps together. why have we not
Ieard of these things?" said he.
Because OF men like Crozat, of men
ike your governors and intendants at
Quebec. Because, your grace, as you
now very we'll, of the same reason
Which sent me once from Paris, and
ept me SO long from laying before
GU these very plans of which | now
5ould speak" OF
"And that cause?" u'
"Maintenon." m
"Oh, ali! ,lndeed-that is to say" la
Louis would hear naught of me, OF tr
curse. Maintenon took care that he al
hould find l was but hereto" al
"As for myself" said Philippe the W
sgeat, hereto or not hereto makes he
ut small figure. For us, tbs most te
uestion of how to keep the king in
ne saddle and France underneath" ID,
Precisely, your grace" b
Frankly, Monsieur Las, take II A.
test now not so much TO ponder over ri
ew worlds as over how to keep In %
,uch with this old world yet awhile. an
rance has danced, though for years al
ne danced to the tune of Louis clad
black. Now France must pay for II,
lie music My faith, | like not the az
ok of things. The joyful France to-
nv N q hideons thing These people u