Solitary Island, Part III, Chapters II-III [pp. 70-93]

1885.] SOLITARY ISLAND 71
the platform while the light of day faded behind the islands and
the red water changed into gray or was covered with mist. It
was not rare to see F~re Rougevin or Mr. Buck or the Methodist
minister sauntering in and out among the groups. P~re Rouge
vin was more at home there than either of the Protestant clergy
men, and his short figure, reserved smile, and right-hand gesture
were noticeable in every group as he passed from one to another arid exchanged witticisms or the newest stories with those
inclined. The p~re had an inveterate fondness for a story and a
love of interesting bits of gossip. He was fond of stnking peG
pIe and curious people and people with a history, and, as a consequence of gratifying these propensities, he was a most interes~
ing talker, a capital story-teller, and never called your attention
to a person or a thing without having a queer incident to relate
in its connection. For instance:
"Do you observe, sir," he would say to the stranger, "that
stout, florid, imposing old man yonder whom you just heard
called the squire? You do, of course. Well, he was concerned
in the late Canadian rebellion, was hunted by the two governments, and a reward offered for his head," etc., etc.
"That graceful shaft which you see on the hill in the distance
covers the grave of a very sweet girl who died here some years
ago. I merely mention it because her brother is the famou~
New York politician, Hon. Florian Wallace, an old pupil of
mine." And then at your desire you were treated to a faithful and
vivid description of the most interesting points in Florian's hi~
tory. Having a wide extent of mission, he might be said to have
the gossip of four countries at his disposal; and he was, when he
allowed it, the centre of a group whose ears tingled with delight
as they heard the news of the day, local and universal, served o~t
so delicately and so expressively, and with a flavor of ingenious
and witty comment to brighten the dish. The squire was a
source of awe to all his little world, and his ponderous voice, as
he referred for the one thousandth time to the occasion whe~
the two governments were "after my head," could be heard over
all sounds and brought every ear in that direction. As a sort
of echo Billy sat beside him with his wrinkled features moving, moving, moving, and eyes blinking and winking, jerking out
sharp, short notes of approval or confirmation. Billy was the
best moral support the squire could find, for he swore to every
thing which that bald sinner asserted.
"If it isn't so," the squire would roar, with a series of brimstone expletives, uttered in a low key when the clergymen were