Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-03-19
cAAPTER xvlI-consInued


writing. A letter was an important
event in the cures day. He put on his
spectacles, sat down. opened the en-
velope, and began to read.
II was from the priest at st. Joseph,
and stated that Nanette Bonnat had
given him the full story of the adven-
lures upon the island. together with
an account of the activities of Pierre
and Simeon Duval.
Bad as Father Lucien had known
conditions at Ste. Marie to be, he had
never guessed at the revelations which
Nanette had made to his confrere.
His Indignation spilled over, and he
paced his study In agitation for sew
eral minutes. At last, struck with an
inspiration. he took up his singlestick,
put on his cap, fur coat, and snow
shoes. and started off toward Ste.
Marie.
It was about an hour later when the
few loafers In Slmeon's saloon looked
up to see the cure standing In the
doorway. Since the lumbermen had
gone into camp for the winter the
glories of the dance hall had faded
and disappeared, but Simeon still did
a thriving liquor business. He saw
the cure and came waddling forward,
his pale blue eyes blinking with mock
humility.
"Come in, father" he said suavely.
eve don't often see you here. What
will you have?i A drop of gin? A lit
tie brandy. now' Or maybe you're
looking for some of the girls to dance
withT"
The men grinned and nudged each
other. 1t is not often that one sees a
cure baited.
you're a sport, father" said Sim
con. -What sort of stick do you call
that, with knob each end?"
II shall come to that later" an
swered the cure. simeon, Simeon, how
often have spoken to you about the
evil that you are doing herel 1t is a
statutory offense to sell liquor with
out license, but it is an offense
against God to run this sort Of place.
Simeon, for the good of your soul. will
you not close down this place and
lead a different life?"
The mild words and humble atti-
ture Of the old priest were so comical
that nobody could conceal his amuse-
ment any longer. A roar Of laughter
shook the shack. Simeon yawned.
'Tll think about my soul when I'm
sick" he answered.
'You may be very sick at any mo-
nent. Simeon. without expecting 1t. !"
'Tll take the chances of that" an
swered Simeon.
simeon. / am growing tired of
speaking TO you. Do you know that
your house is a plague-spot in this vii
lage? Simeon, for the last time, won't
you close up for good and all7v
"Ah. father, you mean all right"
said Simeon. "but that's your job.
bet you're just as much a sport as
anybody here, II only you let yourself
go. Come on now. and get into Q
game with u.s."
Simeon" said Father Lucien. "yor
were asking me about this stick. III
show you what It's for. Look y
Smack went the hazel knob on Sim
cons head.
Simeon was so fiabbergasted tha
he fell back against the plank table
AS for the cure. he seemed transfig
ured. Holding the singlestick in th'
middle. he twirled 1t until 1t locke,
like a knobby streak of light, while b.
pIrouetted like a dervish.
In reality he was going through tn
important foot exercise marked com
bnation 8: but nobody knew that.
"Come on. Simeon" said Father Lu
tien. flicking him across the nose
which instantly became ensanguinet
With a howl of wrath Simeon cam
forward. and the singlesticl descende
on his head with thud that wa
heard, neighbors said afterwarc
across the street. Another thud fror
the other end; and Simeon was biinl
ing up at the cure from the floor.
sect up. Simeon: I'm going to cur
your SOUL" said the cure. "Are. 70
going TO close DOWN.
Simeon struggled to his knees. Wit
an unwonted agility he lodged the sir
glestick movement 10 had alway
bothered the cure) and rushed forwar
with arms extended, like bear. BV
Father Lucien had movement II pa
and movement II is especially d
signed for this. Placing the right tC
against the left heel, he made a ha
turn. Smack Simeon was reclinir
against the counter, his hands over h
head, and blood streaming through h
fingers
"Simeon, Simeon" said the cui
(smack, smack y "are you going
close DOWN.
Simeon lifted no his voice in lon
melancholy howl. He struggled fee
ly to his feet, and instantly went dow
again under terrific blow across Il
right ear movement 22A).
'Is your soul better, Slmeon?" ask,
Gather Lucien.
Simeon blinked up into the ring
faces about him. 1t was an extrao
dinary thing. but, though everybot
seemed very much interested In b
predlcament, nobody showed any sig
of interfering to help him. Pub
pinion was very tickle In Ste. Mar
Nov you may get up, Simeon
aid the cure, and Simeon hastened
1bey. His eyes travelled quickly
he direction Of an empty brandy b'
10 upon the counter. II he could q
{ into his hand.
Smack went the singlestick. a
Simeon was down again with a 70
like n poleaxed bull.
"what did you do that fort"
whimpered-
'Tm helping you the best way
know. Simeon" answered the Gu
mildly. "Are you going to close down
"rn have you arrested" Slime
yelled. "rll write to the bishop abe
you"
Crash went the singlestick. "A
you going to have me arrestedT
qulred Father Lucien.
"No," muttered Simeon, covering
head with his hands.
Crash ginoon'e hands flew nm