Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-09

CHAPTER vi.
DUT the chiefs and skenedonk's nurs- |
ID ing ana Indian remedies brought me
face earthward again, reviving the sur
geon's hope.
When blood and life mounted, and my
torn side sewed up its gap in a healthy
scar, adding another to my collection.
autumn was upon us. From the hunting
lodges on Lake George, and the Will
namses, of Long Meadow, l went to the
scorched capital of Washington. In the
end the Government helped me with my
indian plan, though when Skenedonk and
1 pushed out toward Illinois Territory,
we had only my pay and grant of land.
Peace was not formally made until De-
cember, but the war ended that summer.
The Oneidas were ready to follow
wherever led them. And so were many
families of the Iroquois federation. But
the Mohawk tribe held back. However,
felt confident of material for an Indian
State when the foundation should be laid.
We started lightly equipped upon the
horse paths. The long journey by water
and shore brought us in October to the
head OF Green Bay.
Green Bay, or La Baye, as the fur
hunters called II, was a little post almost
like New England village among its
elms; one street and few outlying
houses beside the Fox River. The open
world had been our tavern; or any sod or
log hut cast up like burrow of human
prairie dogs or moles. We did not expect
to find tavern In Green Bay. Yet such
a place was pointed out to US near the
fur company's block warehouse. 1t had
no signpost. and the only visible stable
was a pen Of logs
Nightfall was very clear and fair In
| this Northwestern territory. A man felt
| nearer to the sunset. The region took
| hold upon me: particularly when one who
was neither u warehouseman nor Cana
dian fur hunter, hurled in and took me
| by the hand
"I am Pierre Grignon," he said.
Indeed, If he had held his fiddle, and
| turned it upon an arm not quite SO stout,
I should have known without being told
! that he was the man who had played in
| the Saint-Michel cabin while Annabel de
| Chaumont climbed the chimney.
| We sat and talked until the light faded.
| The landlord brought a candle. and yelled
to the loft, where Skenedonk had already
! stretched himself in his blanket, as he
| loved to do:
"Chambermaid, light up!"
Never mind" said Pierre Grignon.
I'm going to take these travellers home
| with me-"
''Now 1 know how a tavern ought to
| be kept" said the landlord. But what
the use of my keeping one If Pierre
Grignon carries off all the guests?"
Hes old friend to everybody that
lord.
Hes old friend to everybody that
comes to Green Bay. I'll never get so
much as a sign painted to hang In front
of the Palace Tavern"
gave him twice his charges and he
said:
What a loss 1t was to enterprise in the
Bay when Pierre Grignon came here and
built for the whole United Statesr
The Grignon house. whether built for
the whole United States or not, was the
largest in Green Bay
I found it was the custom during Ad-
vent for all the villagers to meet in his
house and sing hymns. On Christmas
day his tables were loaded for everybody
who came II any one died. he was
brought to Pierre Grignon's for prayer,
and after his burial the mourners went
back to Pierre Grignon's for supper. Pierre
Grignon and his wife were godfather and
godmother to most of the children born
at La Baye. If child was left without
father and mother, Pierre Grignon's
house became its asylum until home
could be found for 1t. The few American
officers stationed at the old stockade.
nearly every evening. met the beauties
| of Green Bay at Pierre Grignon's, and II
. he did not fiddle for them he led Madame
In the dancing. The grandmother herself
sometimes took hor stick and stepped
| through a measure to please the young
people. Laughter and the Joy of life
filled the house every waking hour OF the
a. Funerals were never horrible there
Instead, they seemed the mystic begin
ming OF betteqs things
"Poor Madame Tank She would have
been so much more comfortable In heI
death II she had relieved her mind,
Madame Ursule said, the first evening. as
we sat in a pause of the dancing. "Shs
used to speak OF you often, for seeing you
made a great impression upon her, and
she never let us forget you. am sure
she knew more about you than she ever
told me- 4 have an important disclosure
: 10 make she says. Come around me.
7 want ali of you to hear II! Then she
[ fell back and died without telling IT,"
A touch Of mystery was not lacking q
; the house. Several times saw the tsi
4 of a gray gown disappear through al
Y open door. Some woman half entered
and drew back.
cts Madeline Jordan" an inmate tolt
a ma each time. "she avoids strangers"
asked II Madeleine Jordan was
"oh' no." Madame Ursule replied; 'bu
the family who brought her here, wen
!. back 10 Canada, and OF course tney lei
9 "Poor child" she responded. II thinl
: she likes the hustle ana noise. she ls no
I a
her whether people are around her o
u | not2
$ The subject Of Madeleine Jordan wa
a no doubt beyond a mans handling.
a had other matters TO think about, ant
3 directly plunged into them. First tn
Nenoninees and Winnebagoes must o
r assembled in council. They held all tn
: desirable land - 4.
!, 1--WE don't like your Indian scheme II
y creen Bay," said Pierre Grignon. Blu
= n the tribes here are willing to sell thei
iands. other settlers can't prevent H.
= = He went with me 70 meet the savage
on the opposite side Of the FOX near Tn
a stockade.
Thers the talking and eating lasted tw
aavs AT the end OF that time 1 had
sooting for our Iroquols In the Wisconsin
nortion OF the Illinois Territory; ana IN
& ssvases who granted IL danced wa
dance An our honor. Every brave shoe
:. over his head the scalps he had taken.
4 ssw one cap Of soft long brown hair
o s'Ehl' said Pierre ortgnon. sitting be
u s,de me. Their dirty trophies make 20
ehastlyl DO your eastern tribes neve
dance war danoes1"
Il after the land was secured its boun
daries had 10 be set. Then my own sran
demanded attention; ana last WAS ana
/. ious 10 put my castle ON Il before sno'
u aew Many OF those late autumn night
q skenedonk and ! spent camping. IN