Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-07-19
CHAPTER Xxx.

mighty longing for the old home.
CHAPTER Xxx.
It was fine house-that in which
spent many happy years back in my
young manhood. Not, indeed, 50 ele-
giant and so large as this where am
now writing, but comfortable. To me,
then, it had an atmosphere of romance
and some look OF grandeur. Well, in
those days I had neither a stated eye,
nor govt, nor judgment of good wine.
It was who gave it the name of Fair
acres that day when, coming out of
the war, we felt its peace and comfort
for the first time, and, dumfounded
with surprise, heard my mother tell the
story of it.
"My grandfather" said she, "was
the Chevalier Ramon Ducet de Trou-
vile, brave and gallant man who,
for no good reason, disinherited my
father. The property went to my
uncle, the only other child of the
ckevalier, and he, as have told YOU.
wrote many kind letters to me, and
sent each year small gift Of money.
Well, he died before the war-it was
in March-and, having no children, left
half his fortune to me. You, Ramon,
will remember that long before you
went away to the war stranger came
to see me one day-a stout man, with
white hair and dark eyes. DO you not
remember? Well, did not tell you
then, because was unable to believe,
that he came to bring the good news.
But he. came again after you left US,
and brought me money-a draft on ac-
count. For us it was a very large sum.
indeed. You know We have always
been so poor, and We knew that when
the war was over there would be
more and a-plenty coming. So.
what were we to do? We will
build home said I; We will
enjoy >life& as much as possible.
We will surprise Ramon. When he
returns from the war he shall see it.,
and be very happy The architect
came with the builders, and, VOLTA! the
house is ready, and you are here, and
after so long it is better than for
tune to see you. thought you would
never come"
She covered her face moment, while
my father rose abruptly and left the
room. kissed the dear hands that
long since had given to heavy toll their
beauty and shapeliness:~&. -,
But enough of this, for, after all, it
is neither here nor there Quick and
unexpected fortune came to many a
pioneer, as it came to my mother, by
Inheritance, as one may see if he look
only. at the records of one court of
claims-that of the British.
Before long you may wish to
marry" said my mother, as she looked
up at me proudly, "and you will not
be ashamed to bring your wife here
vowed, then and there, l should
make my own fortune-I had Yankee
enough in me for that-but, as will be
seen, the wealth of heart and purse my
mother had, helped in the shaping OF
my destiny. In spite of my feeling,
know it began quickly to hasten the
life-currents that bore me on. And
say, in tender remembrance Of those
very dear to me, had never more
delightful time than when sat by the
new Preside with all my Giants num-
Der as yet undiminished-or went
roistering in wood or field with the
younger children. ~ ?,
The day came when D'ri and I were
to meet the ladies. We started early
flat morning of the 18th. Long before
daylight We were moving rapidly
down-river in our canoes.
I remember seeing a light flash up
and die, away in the moonlit mist of
the river soon after starting.
''The boogy light" D'ri whispered.
There t goes ag'in!" 81. s. -. ..s.t;..
Ishad heard the river folk tell often
Of this weird thing-one of the odd
phenomena Of the St. Lawrence. j !
Comes alwus where folks hev been
drcwnded,'' said D'ri. "Thet air s
what we hearn tell"
It was, indeed, the accepted theory of
the fishermen, albeit many saw in the
boogy light a warning to mark the
place of forgotten murder, and bore
away.
The sun came up in clear sky, and
soon, far and wide, its light was toss
ing in the ripple-tops. We could see
them glowing miles away. We were
both armed with saber and pistols, for
that river was the very highway of ad-
venture in those days of the war.
dom jes' like this kind NV boss"
said D'ri. Got t. keep whalin' i'm all
the while, an he s apt t slobber n
rough goin'" ..~..-.. -. -.
= He looked thoughtfully at the sun a
breath, and then trimmed his remark
with these words: Amt eggzac'ly
sure-footed, 5nuther. 2 81 ss II 9#.: q : :s
Don't require much feed, though"
/ suggested. ,.. 5.5s sz5.:z NJ. J. y.
J. mo; We hev t. dew all the eatin', but
W can alwus eat 'nough fer both"