The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-02-24

Begin Here
ALICE. the adopted child of
GASPARD ROUSSILLON, a French trader
was a daughter OF old Yincennes on the
Wabash IN the trying days of the sew
enties-
JEAN a little huuchbacl. was also adopted
when a tiny infant by ROussilon and his
invalid wife, after the chiids parents had
been killed by Indians.
Aiices profound love for novels is
criticised 10y Old
FATHER BERET. Catholic priest of the
nearby church. and all his chOrts to steer
her thought into a religious channel
Go On with the story
IT is a curious face that religion
and the power Of rum and brandy
worked together successfully for
long time in giving the
French posts almost absolute in
fiuence over the wild and saw
age men by whom they We're
always surrounded. The good priests
deprecated the traffic in liquors
and tried hard to control it, but sol
diers Of fortune and reckless traders
were in the majority, their interests
taking precedence of all spiritual de
mands and carrying everything along.
What could the brave missionaries do
but make the very best of a perilous
Situation2
In those days wine was drunk by
almost everybody. its use at table and
as an article Of incidental refreshment
and social pleasure being practically
universal; wherefore the steps of re
form in the matter Of intemperance
were but rudimentary and in all
places beset by welInigh insurmount-
able difficulties. In fact. the exigen-
cies of frontier life demanded. perhaps.
the very stimulus. which, when over
INDUCED in, caused 50 much evil Ma
laria loaded the air, and the most
ef1cacious drugs now at command
We're then undiscovered or could not
be had. IntoXicantS We're the only
popular specific. Men drank to pre-
vent contracting agUe drank again
between rigoTs. TO cure it, and vet
again TO grace themselves during con.
vaIescence.
But if the effect of rum as a bever-
age had strong allurement for the
white man, it made an absolute slave
Of the Indian. who never hesItated for
a moment TO undertake any task. no
matter how hard. bear any privation.
~
danger. although it might demand
reckless desperation. if in the end
well filled bottle or jug appeared a.
his reward
OF course the traders did not over
lock such q source of power Alec
hOlic liquor became their implement
Of almost magical work in controlling
the lives. labors. and resources Of the
Indians. The priests with their cap
tjvating story Of the cross had q large
influence in sOfreniug savage natures
ana averJiug many an awful danger.
but when everything else failed rum
always came u the rescue Of a threat
ened French post.
We need not wonder then when
we are told that Father Beret made
no sign of distress or disapprovaI upon
being informed Of the arrival of
boat loaded with rum. brandy or gin.
II was Rene dc Ronville who brought
the news. the same Rene already men
toned as having given the priest
plate OF squirrels He was sitting on
the doorsiu of Father Beret's hut.
when the old man reached il after
his visit at the RoUssillon nome. and
held in his hand a letter which he
appeared proud TO deliver.
a batteaU and seven men. with
cargo of liquor. came during the rain. "
he said, rising and taking off his
curious cap, which. made of an ami
mails skin, had tail jauntily dan
Cling from its crown-tip; land here
is a letter for you, father. The bat
teau is from New Orleans. Eight men
started with it; but one went ashore
to hunt and was killed by an Indian.
Father Beret took the letter without
apparent interest and said:
Thank you, my son, sit down
again; the doOr-log is not wetter than
the stools inside; VIII sit by you"
The wind had driven a flood of rain
into the cabin through the open door
and water twinkled in puddles here
and there on the floors puncheons
They sat down side by side, Father
Beret lingering the letter in an alb
sent-minded way.
"ThereH be a jolly time Of it to-
night" Rene de ROnviue remarked,
"a roaring time"
why do you say that. my SOM
the priest demanded.
THE wine and the liquor" was the
reply; much drinking VIII be done.
The men have all been dry here for
some time, YOU know, and are as
thirsty as sand. They are making
ready to enjoy them selves down at
the river house
'Ah, the poor souls" sighed Father
Beret, speaking rs one whose thoughts
We're wandering far away.
why don't you read your letter,