HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1940-10-10, Page 6PAGE SIX
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'Jests," said 1 to the sentinel, an-
swering his demand for the counter-
sign, and 1 spurred on my horse idly,
though my heart was thumping hard,
for there were several study fellows
lying beyond the dull handful of lire.
Instantly the sentinel's hand came
to my bridle -rein. "Halt!.' roared he.
Surely some good spirit was with
me then to prompt me. for. with a
careless laugh, as though I had not
before finished the countersign,
"Christ," 1 added—"Jesu Christ!"
With au oath the soldier let go the
bridle -rein, the ether opened the
gates. and, 1. passed through. I heard
the first fellow swearing roundly to
the others that he would "send yon
,r.;irier to fires of hell if he played
with him again ea."
The gates closed behind nue. and I
was in the town which had seen tate
worst days and best niomt:nts of my
life. I rode along at a trot. and once
agate beyond the citadel was sum-
moned by a sentinel. Safely passed
on. I came down towards the Chat-
e,aa St. Louis. I rode badly up w the
great entrance door, and handed the
packet to the sentinel.
"From whom?" he asked.
"Look in the corner," said 1 ".And
what business le't of yours?"
"There is no word in the corner,"
answered he doggedly. "Is't from
Monsieur le Generale at Cap Rouge?"
"Bah! Did you think it was from an
English wolf?" 1 asked.
His dull face broke a little. "Is Jean
Labrouk with Bougainville yet?"
"He's done with Bougainville; he's
dead," 1 answered.
"Dead! dead!" said he, a sort of
grin playing on his face.
I made a shot ata venture. "But
you're to pay his wife Babette the
ten francs and the leg of mutton in
twenty-four hours, or his ghoet will
follow you. Swallow that, pudding -
head! And see you pay it, or every
man in our company swears to break
a score of shingles on your bare
hack.'
"I'll pay, 1'11 pay." be .aid, and be
began to tremble.
"Where shall I find Babette? ask-
ed I. "1 come from the Isle aux Coud-
res; I know not this rambling town,"
"A little house hugging the cathed-
ral rear," he answered. "Babette
'weeps out the vestry and ;etches
water."
..Geed:' I said, "Tatar that 10 the
ace:erne: a' once, eerol the m,r-
,.l et: the gnard to have this horse
a::,I . at for, es he's tc tarry
t ee tee G[?wr-rt(E,, :lees:etS , I've
tbrtit,,er bilsiness 1C,;` the General in
int 't-wn. Anal tell yes: septain of the
l trot -i ' send and , is k :p -we dead
nhe,. the highway- Just t.e.. sd,tm file
town,'
I went tin towards i--, cathed: -a1,
,_1;ing an old Fre1.:i chorion, 1
del this because new ehd t ;et, 1 11401
tileis and patr0ie, 1.11(1 it:y tree arid.
ceme�rss manlier meal re. t1 notice.
Sthee 1W'i=e drunkest' Slims stopp-
ed ni a.td threw their ems amen
tee. ..a.tttirg iris On i.-- elle
la
asking themselves 10 drink with
-,. ;..tthig free of then,, i eau«- 1'n
see and was glad to :...esch elle
(11't he - era 1 'auehaliengei Here and
these a broken hnttrese ,r a splinter-
ed call told where .i' ru=+s had
ltcyed upon it, but. in-ide 1 OOOIId
heat' a:, organ playing ash a Misereee
Itc-1115 :•i:anted. I went <.-_ .:d to its.
rEitr, a.l.d there i saw itt tittle house
deserinedl by the sentinel at the ehlR-
eau, ('caning to the •tear, I ;:docked,
and it wee opened at Dodi- ily a 5wa1'm-
faced woman of thirty er e', who in-
stantly brightened on seeing me, "Ah,
you come from Cap Rouge, m'efeu ,
she said, looking at my clothes—hes'
own husband's, though she knew it
not,
"1 come from Jean," said I, and
stepped inside,
She shut the 'door, and then I saw
sitting in a corner, by a lighted table.
an old man, bowed and shrunken,
white hair and white beard falling all
about him, and nothing of his features
to be seen save high cheek -bones and
two hawklike eyes which" peered_ up
at me.
"So, so, front Jean;"he said in a
high, piping voice. "Jean's a pretty
boy—ay, ay. Jean's like his father.
but neither with a foot like mine—a
font for the court, said Frontenac to
me—yes. yes: I knew the great From
tenat---"
The wife interrupted his gossip.
"What news from Jean ?" said she.
"He hailed to conte one day this
week."
"He says." responders 1 gently, •'111111
Jacques Dobrotte owes you ten
francs and a leg of mutton, and that
,n are to give his great beaver coat
to Gaberd 111e soldier,"
"Ay ay, Gebord the soldier, he that
the English spry near scut to lleavelt,"
quavered the old man.
The bitter truth was slowly 4a5w11-
ing upon the wife, She was repott-
ing my words ht 11 whisper, as if to
grasp their full meaning.
"He said also," 1 continued, "Tell
Babette 1 weep with her."
She was very stili and dazed; her
lingers went to her white lips, and
stayed there for a moment. 1 never
saw such a numb misery in any face.
She turned round and went and sat
down beside the old man. looked into
his face for a minute silently, and
then said, "Grandfather, Jean is
dead: our Jean is deed."
The old man peered at her for a
moment. then broke into a strange
laugh, which had in itthe reflection
of a distant misery, and said, "Our
little Jean. our little Jean Labrouk!
Ha! ha! There was Vilion, :Marmon.
Gabriel. and Gouloir, and all their
sons; and they all said the saute at
the last. 'Mon grand homnte---de Ca1-
vaire—hot sair!' Then there was
little Jean. the pretty little Jean. He
could not row a boat, hut he could
ride a horee, and he had an eye like
me. Ha! ha! 1 have seen them all
say good -night. Good -morning, my
children, I will say one day, and 1
will give then, all the news, and I
will tell them all I have done these
hundred years. Ha, ha, ha!—"
Canada
THE SEAFORTH NEWS
There was but one thing to do—tell
her the whole truth, and trust her; for
1 had at least done fairly by her and
by the dead man.
So 1 told them how Jean Labrouk
had met his death; told then who 1
was and wily I was in Quebec ---slow
Jean died in buy arms; and, taking
(rem my breast the cross That Math-
ilde had given mc, I swore by it that
every word which I said was true,
The wife scarcely stirred while 1
spoke, but with wide dry eyes. and
hands clasping and ulelaspmg. heard
me through. I told her how 1 might
have lett Jean to die without a sign
r a message to thein, how I had put
the erose to his lips as be went :arch
and how by coming here I had plac-
ed my safety in her hands, and 110w,
by telling my story, my life itself.
It was a daring and a difficult tusk.
WIia 1 I had finished. both sat silent
for a moment, and then the old elan
said, "Ay, ay, Jean's father and his
uncle Marmon were killed a-horse-
baek and by the knife, Ay, ay, it. 18
our way. Jean was good' company—
none better, mass over on a Sunday.
Conte, we will light candles for Jean,
and comb his hair back sweet. and
Again the woman interrupted, quiet,.
hag hint, Then she turned to me, and
I awaited her words with a desper-
ate sort of courage.
"I believe you," she said. `1 rem-
ember you 1105x. My sister was the
wife of your keeper at the coalition
jail, You s11a11 be safe. Alas! my
Jean might have died without a word
to ole - all alone in the night Morel
mill. foie, monsieur!" Then she rock-
ed a little to and fro, and the old nluo
looked at her hire a curious child, At
last. "1 Hurst go to pial," she said.
"My poor Jean must be brought
home,"
1 told her I had already left word
concerning the body at headquarters.
She thanked me again. Overcome as
she was, she wont and brought me 1t
peasant's hitt and coat, Such 1l'usl nrld
kindness touched ale. Trembling, she
took from ale the coat and hat I had
w01'11, and she plat her hands before
her eyes when she saw a little spot of
blood upon the flap of a pocket. The
old mall reached out his hands, and,
taking talent, he held then on his
luiees, whispering to himself,
"Yon will be safe here," the wife
said to Inc, "The loft above is small,
but it will hide you, if you have no
better plane,"
I was thankful that 1 had told her
the truth, 1 should be snug here,
There was Voban, but I knew not of
him, or whether he was open to aid
or shelter me, His own safety had
been long in peril; he 'might be dead,
for all 1 knew, I thanked the poor
woman warmly, and then asked Iter
if the old man might not betray ole
to strangers. She bade me leaveAll
that to her—that I should be safe to'
a while, at least.
Soon afterwards 1 went abroad, and
made my way by devious route to Vo -
ban's house. As 1 passed, I could see
the lights of onr fleet in the basin,
and the camp -fires of our army on the
Levis shore, on the Isle of Orleans,
and even at Montluorenci, and the
myriad lights in the French encamp-
ment at Ueauport. How 11npOSsib10 it
all looked—to unseat from this high
rock the Empire of France- And how
hard it would he to gel out of this
same city with Alixe1
Voban's house stood amid a mass
of ruins, itself broken a little, but
still sound enough to live in. There
Was no light, 1 clambered over the
tit kris, made my way to his bedroom
window, and tapped en the shutter.
There wa8 no 1'05001150, I tried to op-
en it, but it would not stir. So I thrust
beneath it, on the chance of his 11ud-
ing it if lie opened the casement it
the morning, a little piece of paper,
with one word upon it—the name of
his brother, He knew my handwriting
and he would guess where 1011)0rrow
would find me, for I had also hastily
drawn upon the paper the entrance of
the cathedral.
1 went back to the little House, and
was admitted by the stricken wife,
The old man was abed. 1 climbed up
to the small loft, and lay wide-awake
for hours. At last came the sounds
that I had waited for, and presently
I knew by 1110 tramp beneath, and by
low laments coming through the floor.
that et wife was mourning over the
dead body of her husband. I lay long
and listened to the varying smuts,
but at last all became still. and 1 fell
asleep,
C-HAP'1'EIt ;FXV.
I awoke with the dawn, and, dress-
ing, looked out of the window, seeing
the brindled light spread over the
battered roofs and ruins of the Lower
Town, A hell was calling to prayer in
the battered college not far away, and
bugle -calls told of the stirring garri-
son. Soldiers and stragglere passed
down the streets near by and a few
starved peasants crept about with
downcast eyes, eager for crumbs that
a well•fed Soldier 1105111 cast aside.
Presently 1 drew to the trap-door
of my loft, and, raising it gently,
came down the ladder to the little
hallway, and softly opened the door
of the room where Labrouk's body
lay. Candles were burning at his Bead
and at his feet, and tw0 peasants sat
dozing in chairs near by, 1 could see
Labroitk's face plainly in the flicker-
ing light: a rough, wholesome face
it was, refined by death, yet nnsllaven
and unkempt. too. Here was work for
Voban's shears and razor. Presently
there was a footstep behind ole, end.
turning, I saw in the half-light the
widowed wife.
"Madame," said I in a whisper, "I
too weep with you. I pray for as true
an end for myself."
"He was of the true faith, thank the
good God," she said sincerely. She
passed into the room, and the two
watchers, after taking refreshment,
left the house. Suddenly she hastened
to the door, called one back, and.
pointing to the body, whispered
something. The peasant nodded and
Calls Up
Physically
Fit Youth
For
turned away. She carne back into the
room, stood looking at the face of the
dead man for a moment, and bent ov-
er and kissed the crucilix clasped in
the cold hands. Then she stepped
about the room, moving a chair and
sweeping up a speck of dust in a
mechanical way, Presently, as if she
again remembered me, she asked me
to enter the room. Then she bolted the
outer door of the house. I stood look-
ing atthe body of her husband, stud
said, "Were it not well to have Voban
the barber?" 1
"1 have sent for hint and for Cle-
land," she replied. "Gabord was
Jean's good friend. He is with Gener-
al Moutca.lm, The Governor put hint
in prison because of the marriage of
Mademoiselle Duvarney, but Monsieur
Doltaire set him free, and now be
serves General Moetcalnl,
"I have 5501'11 in the cathedral,"
continued the poo' woman, "and I
shall go to it this morning as I have
always gone. There is a little unused
closet in a gallery where you may
Hide and you may have a last look at
the lady, and I will give it to you, os
you gave me to know of my Jean,"
"My last look?" 1 asked eagerly.
"She goes away to -morrow, they
say," was the reply, "She is to be
taken out o1 the city for safety and
maybe out of your reach, She will be
here today,"
"Madame," said I. "1 thank you
with all my heart."
She turned to the dead body,
"Mon petit Jean!" she murmured, but
made no reply to me and for many
minutes the room was silent. At last
she turned and 5(11)1, "lou must come
at once, A little later I willbring you
breakfast., and you must not. et11'
from there till I come to f41011 you—
no."
"I wish to see Voban," said I.
She thought a moment. "I will try
to fetch hint to you by -and -bye," she
said. She did not speak farther, but
finished the senleuee by pointing to
the betty,
Presently, hearing footsteps, she
drew m0 into another little room, "11
is the grandfather," she said. "He has
forgotten you already, and he must
net see you again."
We saw the old luau hobble into
the room we 11ad left, carrying in one
a1•In Jean's coat and hat. He stood
still, and bowed t0 the body stud
mumbled to himself; then he went
over and touched the hands and fore-
head, nodding wisely; after which Ile
came to his armchair, and, sitting
down, spread the coat over his knees
put the cap on 1t, olid gossipped with
himself.
"In eild our idle fancies all return.
The mind's eye cradled by the
open grave."
A moment later, the woman passed
from the rear of the house, and 1 fol-
lowed to the place she had told me
of, Without a word the woman turn-
ed and left me, and I sat down on a
little stone bench and waited. I could
watch the people gather in clusters,
Military Training
The wife pet her - angel'9 on - his
l;ps, and. turning 'to ole. raid with a
;'':'11111;0 5 (1(05w, t\ ?il they fetch hila
10 me?"
1 asst:rei ht.r that they would,
The ld tat.0 :ixe 1 1i> ey'S oh ole
101)01strangely. and then, stretching
r,n' his fingeral:ti :,,.1„115 forward, 11,
said. with t vo^-.':- et senile wildness.
',i,, oh, the '-. of . - little Jeau1"
x. Stood thee,Ale, any "01011nel
.aught in his sleets,dal :1 t. Though I
hat! root forgotten that 1 W01 t11e
dead man's clothes. I could :not tllh:ll
tin :t they wnnld ('5 : ecegnized, :'or
they seemed like ethers of the Ft'ent'1,
army—white. ;with viler facings. I
can not tell to this day what it was
that enabled their; to detect the coat;
but there I stood condemned before
them.
The wife sprang to her feet. came
to me with a set face. and stared ston-
ily at the coat for an instant. Then,
with a cry of alarm, she made for the
door; but I stepped quickly before
her and bade her wait till she heard
what. I had to say. Like lightning it
all went through my brain. 1 was
ruined if she gave an alarm: all
Quebec would be at my heels, and
my purposes would be defeated.
Under the direction of I4on, S. G. Gardiner, minister of
national was services, 30,000 physically fit young men between
the ages of 21 and 24, inclusive, are being called up for military
training during the next few days. Shown above are scenes of
activity in tho Montreal division, largest administrative div-
ision in Canada. In upper left, Mr. Justice A. Trahan, chairman
of the board of administrative division ''E," hears an employer
who asks that training of his employes be postponed to a quiet•
e1' season. Such boa•d;s ensure industry against disruption, In
upper right, Fernande Bilodeau asks Raymond hanger, assist-
ant registrar, if he is required to answer tho call, He turned 21
on July 14 and wants to know his age class. At bottom is a
section of the filing room where detailed medical report is 'kept
for each man called out for military training.—Official Photos.
and many who name were familiar.
I sat hungry for quite three hours,
and then all became quiet except rhe
artillery of both armies was at work
and theair was laden with the smell
of powder. At last I heard footsteps
near me in the dark stairway, and I
felt for my pistols, for the feet were
not those of Labrouk's wife, 1 waited
anxiously, and was overjoyed to see
Vahan enter niy hiding-placeh hearing
some food, I greeted him warmly, but
he made little demonstratign. He was
lilte one who, occupied with some
great matter, passed through the us-
ual affairs of life with a distant eye.
Immediately he handed me a lettet
saying:
' iM'sieu', I give my word to hand
you (1118-111 a day or a year, as I am
able. 1 get your message to me this
morning, and then I come to care for
Jean Labrouk, and so I and you here
and I give the letter. It come to me
last nicht,"
The letter was from Alixe. I open-
ed it with haste, and in the dint light
read it.
She told of her approaching depart-
ure and the scheming of Monsier
Doltaire to take her away from me.
It was he who had arranged for her
THURSDAY,.
OCTOBER , 1940 ��_
PROFESSIONAL CARDS
MEDICAL
SEAFORTH CLINIC
Dr, E. A. McMaster, M.B„ Graduate
of University of Toronto,
J, D. Colquhoun, M.D., am., Grad.
aate 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 It 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, F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in
Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and
Throat, will be at the Clinic the Arst.
Tuesday in every month from 4 to
6 p.m,
Free well -baby clinic will be held.
on the second and last Thursday in
every month from 1 to 2 p.m.
JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D.
Physician and Surgeon
In Dr. H. 21. Ross' office, Phone 53
OR. F. J. R. FORSTER
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
Graduate in Medicine, University
of Toronto, Late Assistant New York
Ophthalmic and Aural Institute,
Moorefleld's Eye, and Golden Square
throat hospitals, London, Eng. At
Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third
Wednesday in each month from 2 to
4 p.m. Also at Seaforth Clinic. first
Tuesday in each month. -53 Waterloo
St,, Stratford. Telephone 267.
MARGARET K. CAMPBELL, M.D.
London, Ontario
Graduate Toronto University
Licentiate of American Board of Pedi-
atrics, Diseases of Children
At Seaforth Clinic, last Thursday af'
ternoon, each month,
AUCTIONEER
GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed
Auctioneer for the County of Huron,
Arrangements can be made for Sala
Date at The Seaforth News. Charges
moderate and satisfaction guaranteed
F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction-
eer for Perth and Huron Counties.
Sales Solicited. Terms on Application.
Farm Stock, chattels and real estate
property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell,
Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office,
HAROLD JACKSON
Licensed in Huron and Perth Ceumm
ties, Prices reasonable; satisfaction
guaranteed. For ,Information, write or
phone Harold Jackson, 658r12, Sea -
forth central; Brueefield R,R,1.
Watson & Reid
REAL ESTATE
AND INSURANCE AGENCY
(Suecessors 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. R. Archibald,
Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A -
Reid, Seaforth.
AGENTS
F. McKercher, 11.8.1, Dublin; John
E, Pepper, R,R,1, 11rucefteld; J. F.
Prueter, Brodhagen; lama Watt,
Myth; Wm. Yeo, Holmesville,
DIRECTORS
Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; William
Iinox, Londesboro; Chris Leonhardt,
Dublin; James Connolly, Goderieh;
Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. R.
Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEwing,
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.
removal to a place of safety. "If 1
had one hundred men I would fight
my way out of this city, and to you;
but, dear, I have none, not even Ga-
bo•d. There is but Voban. He will
bear you this, if it be possible, for he
comes tonight to adorn my Minion -
able brother. God bless, you, Rob-
ert, and farewell. How we shall smile
when all this misery is done! 011e
say we shall, say we shall smile, and
all this misery cease! Will younot
take me home Do you still love thy
wife, thy Alixe?"