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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1940-06-06, Page 6T'AGE SIX THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1940.. �� Na �'�h�ii,`,c^,".'itr:��,r1,•'St�p°�'".aN . ,?,._� tq was led into the yard of the cita- a3e where was drawn up a company of soldiers. Gabord bade me stand still'. and advanced toward the othc- eis' quarters. I asked him if 1 might :not walk to the ramparts and view the scene. He gruffly assented, bid- ding the men watch me closely, and walked over to a point where, blending three hundred feet above the noble river. I could look out upon it: sweet expanse, across to the Levis shore with its serried legions of races behind and its bold settlement n , front upon the Heights. There, eastward, lay the well -wooded lslaud i a lean(, and over all the clear sun' nai sky. enlivened by a trie p and - :eering air. Snow had fallen. but to es. now lay upon the ground, and 1 caw a rare and winhiug earth. 1! ...see' absorbed. I eras 'craning that est day of shy life that 1 is member. sea e. at Bashi to shy grandfather prephe cies upon me, and ice ''t•. erst tine- I wits ,onscfous of the As 1 stood lost to everything abort heard Doltaire's voice, and pre - :::,c be said over niy shoulder. "To e eh captain lioray a good -morning were superfluous!" 1 smiled at hint: the pleasure of that scene had given me an impulse rewards good nature eveu with my "The best I ever had." I answered an_ettt 't'cntrasts are life's delights." he "tu said. ' I < should thank ns. You u have yetis best day because of our worst dt ngeon." Pat my thanks shall not be in srde: you shall have the sttrne [+:atteey at our hands one day." I had the Bastile for a year," he t-a'ined, calling up a squad of men his Linger as he spoke. "I have hs.e. ray best day. Two would Lf men - teeny. You think your English will take this some time.'' be asked wav- ing a linger toward the tit ad 1. "11 wt11 need good play to pinck that 1it:bon front its place.' Hr glanced u);, as he spoke, at the white flag with its golden lilies. "So much the better sport," I an- swered. "We will have the ribbon and its heritage." "You yourself shall furnish evid- cnce to -day. Gabord here will see you temptingly disposed—the wild bull led peaceably by the nose!" "But one day I will twist your nose, Monsieur Doltaire." "That is fair enough, if rude." he teeponded. "When your turn comes you twist and I (nude. You shall he nourished well like me. and 1 shall ;Lek a battered hulk like you. But I shah never be the fool that you are. If I had a way to clip the leash I'd slip it. Yon are a dolt." He was touch-. ing upon the letters again. "I weigh it all." said I. "I an 310 ir:ol--anything else you will," "You'll be nothing soon, 1 fear— whieh is a. pity." What more he might have said 1 de not know, but there now appeared in the yard a tall, reverend old gentle- man. in the costume of the coureur de hois, though his belt was richly chased, and he wore an order on his breast. There was something more re- lined than powerful in his appear- ance, but he had a keen, kindly eye, and a manner unmistakably superior. His dress was a little barbarous, un- like Doltaire's splendid white uni- form set off with violet and gold, the lace of a fine handkerchief sticking from his belt. and• a gold -handled sword at his side, but the manner of both was distinguished, Seeing Doltaire, be came forward and they embraced, Then he turned towards me, and as they walked off a little distance I could see that he was curious concerning me. Present- ly he raised his hand. and, as if something bad excited him, said, "No, no, no; hang him and have done with it, but I'll have nothing to do with it—not a thing. 'Tis enough for me to rule at—" 1 could hear no further, but 1 was now sure that he was some - one of note who had retired from any share in state affairs. He and Doltaire then moved on to pre doors of the rift del, aud, pausing there. Doltaire turners round and made a motion of.his 1 and to Gabon. I was at once surrou) dad by the squad of men, and the oiler to march was given. A drum in 1.001 of me began to play a well•knowu de- risive air of the French army. The Fox and the Wolf, We came out on the St. Foye Road and down towards the Chateau St, Louis. between crowds of shouting petpli' who beat drums. kettles, pans. and made all manner of mocking noises. It was meant not only against thyself. but against the British peo- ple. The women were net behind the men in violence; from thein all 81 Meet carne handfuls of gravel and dust which emelt me in the race; lett the berd pin a slop to that, It was a ehatnel'ul ordeal, which might have vexed nle surely if 1 bad 1101 had greater 11141e and exp„rued w',rsc, Now and again appeared a Mee 1 knew-_ some lady who turned her head away, er some gentleman who watched I ne c'u'iously but made no eigo. - Wheu the - 28111e to the chateau. I looked up as if :•usually, and there in it little round window I saw Alixe's Fare--fttr tin Instant only. I stopped 111 my Backe, was prodded by a soldier from behind, and then step- ped on. Entering, we were taken to the rear of the building. where. in an open courtyard, were a company of soldiers, some seats. and a table. On my right WaS the St. Lawt'c?1lee swell• ing on its e pulse, hundreds of feet beneath, little boats passing hither and thither on its flood, We were waiting for about half an hem', the, noises of the clantom•htg crowd stoning to its. its they carried me aloft in effigy, and, burning i» s at the ,'lits edge, tired gutta aid threw stones at me. till. tags, ashes, and flame, 1 was mumbled into the river fat' below. At last from tate chateau came the Marquis de \'audreuil. Big- ot. and e 1 Maher of officers. The Governor looked gravely at me, but lid not bow; Bigot gave me a sneer- ing smile, eying me curiously the while, and 1I could feels, remarking on my poor appearance to Cournal be- side him—Cou'nal, who winked at his wife's dishonour for the favour of her lover, who gave him means for public robbery. Presently the Goveruor was seated, and he said, looking round, "Monsieur Doltaire—he is not here?” Bigot shook his head. and answered, "No doubt he is detained at the citadel." "And the Seigneur Dnvu•ney??" the Governor added. At that moment the Governor's sec- retary heeded him a letter. The Gov- ernor opened it. "Listen," said he. He read 10 the effect that the Seig- ner Duvarney felt that he was ill fitted to be at judge in this case, re- membering the conflict between his soli and the notorious Captain Moray. And trots another standpoint, though the prisoner merited any fate re- served for him, If guilty of spying, Ile could not forget that his life had been saved by this British captain -- an obligation which, unfortunately, he could neither repay nor wipe out. After much thought, he must disobey the Gover'nor's summons, and he prayed that his Excellency would grant his consideration thereupon. I saw the Governor frown, but he made no remark, while Bigot said something in his ear which did not improve his humour, foe he replied curtly; and turned to his secretary. "We must have two gentlemen more," he said. At that moment Doltaire entered with the old nobleman of whom I have written, The Governor instantly brightened, and gave the stranger a warm greeting, calling him his "dear Chevalier"; and, after a deal of urging, the Chevalier de la Darante was seated as one of my judges: which did not at all displease ane, for I liked his face. I do not need to dwell upon the trial here: 7 have set down the facts of the case before, I had no counsel and no witnesses. There seemed no reason why the trial should have dragged on all day, for 1 soon saw it was intended to find me guilty, Yet I was surprised to see how Doltaire brought up a point Here and question there in my favour, which served to lengthen out the trial; and all the time he sat near the Chevalier de ]a Darante, now and again talking with him. It was late evening before the trial came to a close. The one point to be established was that the letters taken from General Braddock were thine, and that I had made the plans while a hostage. I acknowledged me thing, and would tint do so unless allowed to speak freely. This was not permitted until just before I was sent envett . - Tlten Doltaire's look was axed on me, and I knew he waited to see if I would divulge the platter private be- tween ns, However, 1 stood by my compact with hint. Besides, it could 1101 SerV6 nee to speak of it here, or use it as an argument, and It would only hasten an end which I felt he could prevent if he -chose. So when 1 was asked if 1 had aught to say I pleaded only that they had not kept our Articles of War signed at Fort Necessity. which provided that 1 should be free within two months and a half— that is, when prisoners in our hands should be de- livered up to them, as they were. They had broken their bond, though we had fulfilled ours, and I held my- self justified in doing what 1 had slime for our 010(81' and for illy own life, I was not Heard patiently, though I could see that elle Governor and the Chevalier were impressed; but Bigot tn,.tallt ly urged the ease limb' against )n'•, and the end (aloe very soon. 11 was now dark; a single light had been brought and )Hatred beside the Governor. while a soldier held a 101 eh at a distance. Suddenly there INasa citent'e; then, in 1','epnnse 10 11 sicrutt. the sharp ringing of a hued- r(d bayonets as they were drawn and fastened to the musket:, and 1 multi se' them gleaming in the feeble torchlight itesently out of the still- ness the Governor's dot's voice was heard condemning me to death by hanging, thirty days hence at sunrise. tiileuee fell again instantly, and then a thing occurred which sent a thrill through us all. From the dark balcony above u came a voice, weird, high, and wailing: "Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! He is guil- ty, and shall die, Francois Bigot shall tile!" Tht' valet- was Mathikle's, and 1 saw Doltaire shrug a shoulder and look with Malicious amusement all the Intendant. Bigot himself sat pale and furious. "Discover the intruder,.. he said to Gabord, who was standing. near. "anti have hint—jailed." But the Governor interfered. "It is some drunken creature:' he urged quietly, "']'tike no at•.eilllllt of it.' What was my dismay to know that I was to be taken ble'lt again to my, dungeon, and not lodged in the cont - mol jail, as I bad hoped and Alixe had hinted! When 1 saw whither my footsteps were directed I said noth- ing, nor did Gabord speak at all. We marched back through a railing crowd, all silent and gloomy. I felt a chill at my heart 'when the citadel loomed up again out of the November shadow, and 1 half paused as I enter- ed the gates, "Forward!" said Gab- ord mechanically, and I moved on into the yard, into the prison, through the dull corridors, the sold- iers' heels clanking and resounding behind, down into the bowels of the earth, where the air was moist and. warns, and then into my dungeon home! I stepped inside, and Gabord ordered the ropes of my person some.. what roughly, watched the soldiers till they were well away, and then leaned against the wall, waiting for inc to speak. I had no impulse to smile, but 1 knew how I could most touch him, and so 1 said lightly, "You've dickey -bird home again," He answered nothing and turned towards the door, leaving the torch stuck in the wall. But he suddenly stopped short, and thrust out to me a tiny piece of paper. "A hand touched nine as I went through the Chateau," said he, "and when out I came, look you, this here! I can't see to read. What does it say?" he added, with a shrewd attempt at innocence. I opened the little palter, held It toward the torch, and read: "Because of the storm there is no sleeping. Is there not the watcher aloft? Shall the sparrow fall 0n - heeded? The wicked shall be con- form it ed," It was Alixe's wrung. She had haz- arded this in the hands of my jailer as her only hope, and, ]snowing that he might not serve her, had put her message in vague sentences which I readily interpreted. I read the words aloud to him, and he laughed, and remarked, "'Tis a foolish thing that— the woman, most like," "Most like," I answered quietly; "yet what should she be doing there at the Chateau?" "The mad go -everywhere;" he an- swered, "even to the Intendance!" With that he left me, going, as he said, "to fetch crumbs and wine." Exhausted with the day's business, I threw myself upon my couch, drew my cloak over me, composed myself, and in a few minutes was sound asleep. I waked to find Gabord in the dungeon, setting out food upon a board supported by two stools, "'Tis custom to feed your dickey - bird ere you fetch hint to the pot, he said, and drew the Bork from a bottle of wine. He watched me as I ate and talked, but he spoke little. When I had finish- ed, 11e fetched a packet of tobacco from his pocket, 1 offered hint money, but he refused it, and I did not press him. for he said the food and wine were not of his buying. Presently he left, and came back with pens, ink, paper, and candles, which he laid out on my couch without a word. After a little he came again, and placed a book on the improvised table before me, 11 was an English Bible. Opening it, I found inscribed on the fly -leaf, Charles Wainfleet, chaplain to the British army. Gaborcl explain- ed that this chaplain had been in the citadel for some weeks; had often inquired about me; had been brought from the Ohio, and had known of me, having tended the lientenaut of my Virginian infantry in his last hours. Gaborcl thought 1 should now begin to make my peace with heaven, and so had asked for tie chaplain's Bible which was freely given. I bade him thank the ehapblhi for nae, and open- ing the book, I found t1. leaf turned down at the 'wor'ds, "In rile shadow of Thy wings will I make my 'Tinge, mail these (alam- itins be overlie:4 ," When I was ]eft ttlulle. 1 sat down to wt'ile diligently that history of myself whit'll 1 had composed and fixed in my memory during the year of ray housing in this dungeon. The words came from my pets freely, mid hour aftt'1' hour through maty days, While 110 single word rea('hed 1111' from the outside world. I wrote on: ca'c'tnlh revising, but changing little from 111111 which 1 had taken s0 long to record in my mind. I would pot oven yet think that they would hang ate; and if they dit1, what good could brooding do? 'When the last word of. the memoirs ti may tail them sol, addressed le Alixe, had been written, 11u1'ned my thoughts to other friends. The day prerediug that fixed for my execution ('10110. yet, there was no sign from friend or enemy without, At ten o'clock of that day c'lientele R'ainfl(tt was admitted to me in the presence of calmed and a soldier. I found groat pleasure iu 111S e0111 NOW. brief 01 1115 visit was: and after 7 had givtel him me'Ragee to bear An- nie to old friends, if we never mot again and he were set flee, he )eft nae, hehiguly commending one to hea- ven. There was the question of my other letters. I had but one desire-- \'obttn again, 11111ess at my request the Seigneur Devaney would come, and they would let him conte. If it were certain that I was to go to the scaffold, then I should not hesitate to tell hint my relations with his daugh- ter, that he plight comfort her when. being gone from the world myself, my love could do her no harm, 7 could not think that he would hold against me the duel with his son, and I felt sure he would come to me if he could. But why would 1'- not try fol' both Voben and the Seigneur? So 1 spoke to Gabord, "Voban1 Voltam!" said be, "Does dickey -bird play at peacock still? Well, thole shalt See Vobut, Thou shalt go trimmed to heaven--aho!" Presently I asked hint if he would bear a message to the Governor, ask- ing permission for the Seigneur De- vaney to visit me, if he were so in- clined. At his request I wrote my petition out, and he carried it away with hint, saying that. I should have Vuban that evening. I waited bout' after hour, but no one came_. As near as I could judge it was now evening. It seemed strange to think that, twenty feet above me, the world was all white with snow; the sound of sleigh -bells and church - bells, and the cries of snowshoers ringing on the clear, sharp air. T pic- nred the streets of Quebec alive with people: the young Seigneur set off with fm's and silken sash and sword. or pistols; the long-haired, black-eyed woodsman in his embroidered moc- casins and leggings with flying thrums; the peasant farmer slapping his hands cheerfully in the lighted market -place, the petty noble, with his demoiselle, hovering in the pre- cincts of the Chateau St. Louis, and the intenda.nce. Up there were light, freedom, and the inspiring frost; down here in my dungeon, the blades of corn, which, dying, yet never died, told the story of a choking air, where- in the body and -soul of a man droop and take long to die. This was the night before Christmas Eve, when in England and Virtginia they would be preparing for feasting and thanksgiv- ing, The memories of past yeara crowded on me. 1 thought of feast- ings - and spendthrift rejoicings in Glasgow and Virginia, Ail at once the carnal man in me Pose and damned these lying foes of mine. Resignation went whistling down the wind, iIang me! Hang me! No, by the Goci that gave me breath! I sat back and laughed ---laughed at my own insipid virtue, by which. to keep faith with the fanatical follower of the prince, 1 had refused my liberty; cut myself ofl' from the useful services of my king; wasted good years of my lite, trusting to pressure and help to come from .Engltttal. which never Dame; twisted the rope for my own neck to steep honour with the dishon- (turtible Doltni'c, who himself had set the noose swinging; and, biexpress• Bile misery! involved in my shame and peril a young, blithe spirit, breathing a miasma- upon the health of a tender life. Every rebellious Wont in my blood sprang to indignant ac- tion. I swore that if they fetched me to the gallows to celebrate their Noel, other lives than mine should go to keep me company on the dark trail. To die like a rat in a trap, oiled for the burning, and lighted by the torch of hatred! 'No, I would die fighting, if I must die. - I drew from its hiding -place the knife I had secreted the day I was brought into that dungeon—a little weapon, but it would serve for the first blow. At whorl? tlabord! 1t all flashed through my mind how I might do it when he crone in again: bury this blade in his neck or heart - is was lint; tuough for t11t work; then, when he was dead, vintage my clothes for his. take his weapons, 111111 run my 'Mantes to get free of the oiladcl. I''ree? Where should 1 go in the dead of winter! Who would hide me. shelter 111'1 1 could not make my Wil) to an English set tlentt'nt. 111 (11111, esp0sed 10 the merciless climate, and the end death. But that was freedom --freedom! 1 could feel my body dilating wltli the thought. as 1 1181,11 my dungeon like au iil.tenmp• cera beast. But killGabord, who had pelt himself 111 danger to serve 111e. W110 hhnself Icad kept the chains 11'0111 off my ankles and body, whose owe life depended upon my security "Come, come, Robert :Moray," said I. "what relish have you for 1htct? That's an ill gable for a gentleman. Alixe Duvarney would rather see you dead than get your freedom over the Hotly of this ratan." That was an hour of storm. I (110 glad that 1 conquered the baser part of 'rte; fo1', almost before 1 had grown cttliu again. the holes of the dungeon doors shot Intel:. and prT- 80111ly Gabord stepped imide. fol- lawcd by a nntffled figure. "\'obtut 1110 barber." said Gabord i» a strange voles, fold stepping again outside, he closed the duos', blit did not shoot the Molts. I stood as ane in 11 dream, Velum the barber? In spite of rap and great fur coat. I saw the outline of a figure that no barber ever had in this world. I saw two eyes shining like lights set in a rosy sky. A moment of doubt, of impossible speculation, of delicious suspense, and then the coat of Voban the barber opened, drop- per} away from the lithe, graceful fig- are of a young officer of marines, the cap flew off, and in an instant the dear head. the blushing, shining face of Alixe was on my breast. In that moment, stolen from the calendar of haste, I ran into the haven where true hearts cast anchor and bless God that they have see» upon the heights to guide them the lights of home. The moment flashed by and was gone, but the light it horde went T101 with 11. \Vhen 1 tb•ew her blushing face up, and stood her oil' from me that I 'slight look at her again, the colour flew back and forth on her cheek, as you may see the tire flutter in an un- cut ruby when you turn it in the sun. Modestly drawing the cloak she wore more (drawly about her, she hastened to tell me haw it Was she cattle In spelt a guise; hut I made her pause for a moment while I gave her a seat and sat down beside her. Then by Ute light of the flickering torch and flar- ing candles I watched her feelings play upon her face as the warm light of autumn shifts upon the glories of ripe fruits. Her happiness was temp- ered by the sadness of our position, and my heart smote me that I had made her suffer, had brought care to her young life. I could see that in the year she bad grown older, yet her beauty seemed enhanced ,by that anti by the trouble she had endured. I shall let her tell her story here un- broken by my questions and those interruptions which Gabord made, bidding her to stake baste. She spoke without faltering, save here and there; hut even then I could see her brave spirit quelling the riot of her emotions, shutting down the sluice- gate of her tears. (To Be Continued) "Don't you ever have a day off for your grandmother's funeral?" "Day off! What a hope,with me working in the office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths," PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Graduate of University of Toronto. J. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C,M„ Grad- uate of Dalhousie University, Halifax. The Clinic is fully equipped with, complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic equipment. Dr, Margaret K. Campbell, M.D., L.A.B,P., Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will be at the Clinic last Thursday in every month from 3 to 6 p.m. Dr. Is, J, 1t. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p.m. Free well -baby clinic will he held on the second and last Thursday is every month from 1 to 2 p.m, JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D. Physician and Surgeon In Dr. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 5J W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office John St„ Seaforth DR. F. J. R. FORSTER Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto, Late Assistant New York Ophthalmic anti Aural Institute, Moorelield's Eye, arid Golden Square throat hospitals, Loudon, Eng. At Commercial Hotel,. Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 2 to 4 p.tu. Also at Seaforth clinic t}rst Tuesday in each month 53 Waterloo St., Stratford. 'I`elephoue 207, MARGARET K. CAMPBELL, M.D. Loudon, Ontario Graduate Toronto University Licentiate. of American Board of Petit. atrics, Diseases of Children At Seaforth Clinie, last Thursday af- teruuan, each month, AUCTIONEER GEORGI'1 p]LLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for :tale I);ae at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AiI11I'INS, Licensed Auction eer for Perth and Huron Counties Sales solicited. Terris on Anidication, Farm Stolt, chattels and real estate property. It. R. No. 1, llitebel1. Phone 11;1.1 r G. Apply at this office. HAROLD JACKSON Licensed in Huron and Perth ftoun- ties. I'riees reasonable; satisfaction. guaranteed. For infortuation, write or phone 'Harold Jackson, G5Sr12, Sea - forth central; Brucefleld R.R.I. Watson & Reid REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates In First -Class Companies. The McKillop Mutual Fire Insurance Co. HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Wm. Knox, Londesboro; Vice President, W. It Archibald, Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F, McKercher, R,R.1, Dublin; John D. Pepper, R.R,1, Brucefield; E. R. G. Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm, Yeo, Holmesville. DIRECTORS Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; William Knox, Londesboro; Chris Leonhardt, Dublin; James Connolly, Goderich; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. R. Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEwtng, Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton; Hugh Alexander, Walton, Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. The open air speaker was dealing with statistics, "Do you realize," he cried, "that every time I breathe someone dies?" "You should try cloves, mister," -came a voice from the audience. Want and For Sade Ads 111 week 515cc