Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-11-16


and looking out.
"A delay is better than a disaster"
remarked Pompon sententiously.
But you are not as hungry as l,
mon ami. Pardieu! but the sight and
smell of yon meal makes my eyes to
weep and my mouth to water"
Hunger is a sharp, fierce dog. Bet
ter cross an angry man than a fasting
man." was the reply. Remember,
though, it is IA years since | have eaten
a full meal"
"A long time to wait, surely" cried
La Sale, as he entered the room. "I1l
warrant you my few minutes delay has
seemed almost that long to my future
lieutenant. Is it not so, mon cher
Tonti?"
Welcome, non capitaine, to the
feast. | feared you would miss the
best part of it all, and that is the de-
licious odor arising from the untouched
dishes. But, peste! here | am talk
ing, when We might be eating. Be
seated and begin"
~ ooy liS, lOhIl oCI tue OtlltlS all
example by sitting down himself. Soon
the clatter of dishes and the sound of
hearty mastication took the place of
speech. The bottles were opened and
the glu-glu of the wine as it was
poured was added to the sounds of the
feast. There was no dainty picking of
food, or dawdling away of time. Every
moment was made TO count; and
finally, when the oranges had disap-
peared and the last dish was emptied,
Tonti leaned back with a sigh.
Il fear a late-comer will find naught
but bones" he exclaimed, as he glanced
at the table; then added, as he opened
another bottle: Good drink drives
out bad thoughts"
"The first draught a mar drinks
ought to be for thirst, the second for
nourishment, the third for pleasure"
said La Sale, IT'S he poured out his
third goblet.
"a good meal is worth hanging for"
was Pompcn's verdict.
From all of which it may safely be
assumed that they were we'll content.
Success crowns our efforts so far"
said La Sale, thoughtfully. Word
came to me at my lodgings in the Rue
de la Truanderie early this morning
that his gracious majesty would grant
me an audience in the royal bed-cham-
Der Immediately after his levee. /
went and received my commission, and
here it is" ard, as he spoke, he pulled
a document from his pocket. Here,
you see the beginning: Louis, by the
grace of God king Of France and
Navarro, to our dear ard weli-beloved
Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Sale,
greeting 1t grants all I asked for and
nor too. Listen: And we direct the
Sieur Comte de Frontenac, our govern
or and lieutenant general, and also
Duchesneau, intendant of justice, po-
lice, and finance, and the officers Of
the supreme council Of the aforesaid
country, to see to the execution Of
these presents; for such is our pleas
ure. Given at Paris this eighteenth
day of June, 1878, and of our reign
the thirty-fifth year. Signed, Louis"
What more could you desire9" cried
Tonti, striking the table with his iron
hand and making the dishes rattle.
Money" was the laconic reply.
"Parbleu! Pompon, we had forgot
ten said Tonti, in some confusion.
where is the 10000 francs we prom
ised our leader only yesterdays"
3 Pompon, who had carefully sepa-
rated that amount from their store,
handed LIZ Sale a bag containing it.
La Sale looked somewhat surprised,
but thanked them.
"The king has promised me a goodly
sum-" he continued. "The notary
Simonet has loaned 1000 |livres; the
advocate Raoul. $4,000; Dumont. 5000;
my cousin Francois Plet in the Rue
St. Martin, 11,000; my brothers and
other relatives have stripped them
selves for me. Now your &c. 1000 added
to some $4,000 Comte de Frontenac
has promised me on my return to
Quebec will make up the necessary
sum. So you see now why | said that
success crowns my efforts so far"
What else is needed?' asked Pom
pom.
Chiefly a commission for our friend
Tonti," replied La Sale, 81 have
spoken to Colbert about it twice, and
the king once, The Prince de Cont
has also spoken TO the king, SO | have
no fear of the result. | shall take you
tomorrow 10 a levee at the Palais.
hope, gain an audience with him.
You must plead for yourself, if you
find he hesitates."
"Certainement, my tongue is as
good as my sword when it comes to
defending myself" smiled Tonti.
You must needs look your best,
too" continued La Sale. THE king
likes to have ever ha%lf-savage explor-
ers appear we'll at court" And he
glanced complacently down at his own
correct costume. Besides, who knows
what feminine bright eyes a fresh
feather or a new doublet might at
tract?"
Dame! What bright eyes could be
attracted to a poor soldier of fortune
like MYSELF" exclaimed Tonti soLerly.
What the little sinners are after is
a husband with both rank and wealth.
They would have naught to do with
one whose rank is that Of captain, and
whose chateaux and estates can be
carried in one empty pocket"
Courage, mon brave, courage!"
cried La Sale, heartily. There is
much hope for you yet. Look at me.
What more am | than you? What
less than | may be can you become?
Are we not both on a footing? Be-
hold fame and honor and riches for