Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-24
THE SLAYER OF BEAULIEU

perceived that same sullen youth
who had driven home to Monarda Vetal
Beaulieu's horses on that night when
the officer had been waiting to have
his mans talk with Evangeline's
father. He understood, to his souls
JOY, that here undoubtedly awaited
more evidence in his behalf than mere
confession Of half-wit.
Yes you shall know. too, M'ser
Aldrich, for It is right that you should
know. You have put your mind and
your strength to the saving of the
people of Acadia, and you deserve far
more than any poor service they can
return.
This what we have done is only
part of that service they owe. There
have been strange stories on the
border. There was much talk. There
were men who knew the truth, M'ser.
and they had money with which to
cover up that truth. You know that
Vetal Beaulieu came down on the
poor people with all his anger, and the
people were angry, too. This man
here, Wild.wit Dionne, heard what the
people said about Vetal Beaulieu. His
brother lost his horse and cows, and
he heard the children crying for food.
He followed Vetal Beaulieu. And
what did he do-what did Dionne do
to Beaulieu?" The spokesman shook
his finger at the sullen youth.
"Dionne shot Beaulieu," confessed
the witness. "He came up behind
and shot him. 1t was on the road
east of Monarda."
who else was there?"
Dave Rol was riding with Beau
lieu"
What more?"
Dave Roi took the body and hid it
by the roadside, and he went for men
who had smuggled for him, and they
took the body to the hill where it
was found. We were paid to keep
still"
"And you know more" insisted the
spokesman.
II know that Dave Roi had saved
shells from the gun Of the customs
mamie had found them somewhere
in the north
Aldrich, his brain clearing, his
thought roting, knew where Roi had
obtained those shells. Aldrich had
lacked them out from his rife when
he had stood off the gang which
threatened to pursue when he had
rescued Evangeline.
"And you knew that Rci waited
and left Beaulieu's body in the woods
until he had his plot ready, eh?'
Men were paid to keep still. I was
paid. 1t was Dave Rofs business. We
have not interfered."
But how have you found out all
this-how have you made these men
confess" Aldrich gasped.
I'VE were all men of Acadia. We
have been put in your debt and we
could not pay. There were rumors.
We hunted down these rumors among
our people. And when we had
hunted them to the last corner w.
knew what to do" stated the man.
grimly. I'VE would have paid you,
M'ser Aldrich. even If we had paid in
our blood. We ask only one thing
that you will speak some wise words
to the law for the sake of this poor
man who killed and did not under
stand what a crime he was commit
ting, He is only Wild-wit Dionne"
1t had come SO suddenly, so wonder
fully, such glorious fruit of his own
sacrifice in behalf of these people.
that Aldrich was moved to an act
which expressed his feelings, even as
one of these simple-hearted men
would have expressed his own. He
took off his hat. He looked up at the
sky.
II return thanks to you, God, for
your wonderful work with the human
heart" he murmured.
He leaped from his horse then and
went among them, stammering his
gratitude. He clasped their hard
hands and stared at their honest
faces through his tears.
There are other witnesses who will
come forward-we shall know how to
make them come" stated the leader.
"They must be assured that they
will be protected from the dirty per-
secution of Roi, then they will come
forward" cried Aldrich. II will use
what little power ! possess tc guard
them from that man"
The man looked at Aldrich for
some moments, strange expression
on his countenance.
You have not heard, M'ser officer
of the Customs? No, it could not be
that you have heard. David Roi
learned of our errand when We came
to hunt rumors TO their corner.
He came raging, to stop us, to
threaten, to frighten those who were
there to do their duty and take away
this disgrace from the Acadian peo-
ple-for what could match the dis
grace Of letting a good and a brave
man suffer for another's crime? We
do not know just how it happened.
We stand ready to take the blame.
We only know we fought back. But
no one will ever fear Dave Roi again"
rs he dead?"
mo, he is blind. We took him home
to the girl who has borne him a child.
Perhaps he will make a wife of her
now, for he must depend upon her eyes
for the rest of his life; and ] think
Dave Roi will find that he has no
other friend to lead his steps"
Fate was surely melting rewards
and punishments at last with ruthless
and steady hand, so Aldrich reflected.
He walked to the sheriff.
I'VE will all go with you to the
border" he said. I'VE will help you
to perform your duty, Mr.. Sheriff
Two days later a message came to
Aldrich; and he could obey that mes
sage, for he was a free man.
Representative Clifford called him
urgently to the State Capitol.