Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-12


to work in our woods II you like-but
we don't care about homes and
farms
But, ah, Mam'sele," he cried, with
passion, chose poor Acadian peasant
people remember when their fathers
came UP this river, struggling with
their RATS, fighting their way past the
falls and over the shadows, for to
make their home. And they were here
before those Yankees ever heard OF
this valley. The farmers say that
they have the right to own land now
on which to set their feet and build
their little homes. They say the yam
KEGS shall not tell them to go away
after their fathers have discovered
this for the homes of Acadians. They
ask to be allowed to buy; and when
the Yankees say no-then, Mamselle, L
am afraid. For the Acadians are talk'
1g-here and there they are talking.
I'd they say Our money Is ready.
e will give our money. We will not
I'VE up our homes
She was silent The landscape had
ost its brightness, suddenly, she felt.
This is not the fine talk for young
girl to listen to-" said Billedeau, break
ing the silence. "I had forgot myself.
Man'selle. I always forget myself
when I talk about the sad thing that
has come up along the border I'll
talk no more. You know now how bad
1t is. Perhaps you can talk some
times to some one wise and strong
among the Yankees For it is very
bad. Our poor people are settled on
fifty thousand acres of land, where
they have no title that the law makes
good. Some have been put off. Others
have been threatened. have heard
rumors. 1t Is said that the Yankees
who own-or who have bought titles
from those who say they do own-are
angry now, and will come to take what
they say is theirs. But on some lands
Acadians have lived for many years.
I do not know how it will all fall out,
Nam selle, but ] am frightened by my
thoughts. The Yankees are stern and
greedy-but the Acadians are danger
GUS when they are stirred, Nam seile.
You and I can realize it better than
the Yankees. | feel the old blood stir
ring me once in a while, and I am
reminded that the patient folks have
hot fires that they must keep smoth-
cred"
Only once in her placid life till then
had unbridled passion overmastered
Evangeline. She had not fathomed
the depths of her Acadian tempera.
ment until her soul had rebelled at the
insults of David Roi.
II understand, Mser Billedeau," she
said, quietly-but she remembered the
fury which Roi had evoked and she
was frightened by that memory.
They rode along, busy with their
own thoughts for a long time.
1t is a well-worn saying in New
Acadia that tongues distance the tele.
graph.
Start a bit Of news at st. Francis
on the north and it is south at the
MeIlicite portage as though it were
really the winged word.
Therefore, the information that Fid
dler Billedeau was on the st. John
highway distanced the fiddler in his
slow progress.
A man who came galloping barebacb
on a fuzzy horse emerged from g
branch road and stopped Billedeal
with joyous shouts.
"Saint Xavier has sent you to us
good Fiddler Billedeau! Tonight tn,
son of Supple Jack Hebert is to MARI,
the pretty Joe Rancourt girl.
1--WE have tried to get word to you
But we have not been worried-w,
knew that the good saint would sent
you because Marie Rancourt. she hav,
pray very hard. So come along be
/, hind me to the Bois-de- -Rancourt clear
ing"
He whirled his horse, flourishing hi.
hand delightedly. There was no doup
, in the mien of that messenger. l
was understanding. complete; tn
, word to Billedeau-that was all!
l The old man turned hesitating gaz
on the girl at his side before he lifte,
} the reins.
'It is not midday Mam'selle, and w
have come slow-and the big school /
far ahead. They take much 70
granted on the border, when 1t is
word to the old fiddler"
You warned me we should com
slowly" she said, with a smile. "An
it would make me very sad to thin
of the wedding without the music"
c "Ah, you make the fine companio
. for the fiddler who plays for the poo
people. 1 shall tell them what yo
said-and you shall see."
e He turned his old horse into tn
: side road which wound sinuously u
: the hillside away from the rive
; When they topped the slope the
:. were again in the forest. The ma
r on horseback summoned them on e,
o citedly with tossing hand. He wa
bringing the crowning joy. of the wee
r ding. He was eager to show his priz'
to receive plaudits from a chatterin
y thron1 and drink his portion of tn