Adèle Dubois | Page 8

a case, curiously carved, filled with books, and
beneath, in a little niche in the wall, a yellow ivory crucifix.

It did not occur to the good man to make any comparison between this
room with its peculiar adornings, and the Puritan kitchen with its stiff,
stark furniture. One of the latter description was found in his own home,
and the place where his loved ones lived and moved, was to him
invested with a beauty altogether independent of outward form and
show. But, as he looked around with an air of satisfaction, this room
evidently pleased his eye, and he paid an involuntary tribute to its
historic suggestiveness, by falling into a reverie concerning the life and
times of the good Roman Catholic Fenelon, whose memoir and
writings he had read.
Soon Adèle called him to the breakfast-table.
Mrs. McNab not having made her appearance, he inquired if any
tidings had been heard from the sick-room. Mrs. Dubois replied, that
she had listened at the door and hearing no sound, concluded Mr.
Brown was quiet under the influence of the sleeping powder, and
consequently, she did not run the risk of disturbing him by going in.
"Should Aunt Patty happen to begin snoring in her chair, as she often
does", said Adèle, "Mr. Brown would be obliged to wake up. I defy any
one to sleep when she gets into one of those fits".
"Adèle", said her father, while a smile played round his mouth and
twinkled in his usually grave eyes, "can't you let Mrs. McNab have any
peace?"
"Is Mr. Brown a friend of yours?" inquired Mr. Norton of his host.
"I met him for the first time at Fredericton. He was at the hotel when I
arrived there. We accidentally fell into conversation one evening. He
made, then and subsequently, many inquiries about this region, and
when I was ready to start for home, said that, with my permission, he
would travel with me. I fancy", Mr. Dubois added, "he was somewhat
ill when we left, but he did not speak of it. We had a rough journey and
I think the exposure to which he was subjected has increased his
sickness. If he proves to be no better to-day, I shall send Micah for Dr.
Wright", said he, turning to his wife. "I hope you will, father", said

Adèle, speaking very decidedly. "I should be sorry to have him
consigned over wholly to the tender mercies of Mrs. McNab".
"Mr. Dubois", said the missionary, laying down his knife and fork,
suddenly, "I must confess, I am perfectly surprised to find such a
family as yours in this place. From previous report, and indeed from
my own observation in reaching here, I had received the idea, that the
inhabitants were not only a wicked, but a very rude and uncouth set of
people".
"Whatever may be your opinion of ourselves, sir", replied his host,
"you are not far amiss in regard to the character of the people. They are,
in general, a rough set".
"Well, sir", said Mr. Norton, "as an honest man, I must inform you, that
I came here with a purpose in view. I have a message to this people,--a
message of love and mercy; and I trust it will not be displeasing to you,
if I promulgate it in this neighborhood".
"I do not understand your meaning", said Mr. Dubois.
"I wish, sir, to teach these people, some of the truths of morality and
religion such as are found in the Bible. I have ventured to guess that
you and your family are of the Roman Catholic faith".
"We belong to the communion of that church, sir".
"That being the case, and thinking you may have some interest in this
matter, I would say, that I wish to make an attempt to teach the
knowledge of divine things to this people, hoping thereby to raise them
from their present state to something better and holier".
"A worthy object, sir, but altogether a hopeless one. You have no idea
of the condition of the settlers here. You cannot get a hearing. They
scoff at such things utterly", said Mr. Dubois.
"Is there any objection in your own mind against an endeavor to enlist
their interest?" asked Mr. Norton.

"Not the least", said Mr. Dubois.
"Then I will try to collect the people together and tell them my views
and wishes. Is there any man here having influence with this class, who
would be willing to aid me in this movement?"
Mr. Dubois meditated.
"I do not know of one, sir", he said. "They all drink, swear, gamble, and
profane holy things, and seem to have no respect for either God or
man".
"It is too true", remarked Mrs. Dubois.
"Now, father", said Adèle, assuming an air