Jean Baptiste (Illustrated)

Jean Baptiste: A Story of French Canada

Contents:

The Vocation of Jean Baptiste
The Migration
The Sorcerer
The Loup Garou
Castles in Spain
The Habitant
Her Majesty's Mail
The City Man
The Loan
Blanchette
La Folie
Profit and Loss
The Return of Pamphile
The Triumph of Pamphile
The Pastime of Love
The Temptation of Jean Baptiste
Vengeance
Michel
Mother Sainte Anne
The Robbery
Love and War
The Wilderness
The Cure
The Relapse
Treasure Trove

CHAPTER I
THE VOCATION OF JEAN BAPTISTE
"You may read, Jean," said Mademoiselle Angers; whereupon a breath of renewed interest passed through the schoolroom, as Jean Baptiste Giroux rose in his place and began to read, in a clear and resonant voice, the story of that other Jean Baptiste, his patron saint.
"Saint John, dwelling alone in the wilderness beyond the Dead Sea, prepared himself by self discipline and by constant communion with God, for the wonderful office to which he had been divinely called. The very appearance of the holy Baptist was of itself a lesson to his countrymen. His dress was that of the old prophets--a garment of camel's hair attached to his body by a leathern girdle. His food was such as the desert afforded--locusts and wild honey. Because of his exalted sanctity a great multitude came to him from every quarter. Brief and startling was his final exhortation to them: 'Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'"
It was a simple and oft-repeated story, but there was something in the voice and manner of Jean that compelled attention. All the children listened; also the teacher; and the visitor, M. Paradis, curé of the parish, was visibly impressed. He brought his horn-rimmed spectacles down from the top of his head, set them firmly on the bridge of his nose, and regarded Jean for some moments without saying a word.
Jean returned the gaze with a steady, respectful glance; then let his eyes fall until they were looking at the floor just below the curé's feet. It was not polite to stare at visitors, but one might look at their boots. The boots of M. Paradis were covered with dust. He had walked all the way from the presbytery, two miles or more--that was evident.
"Ah, it is you, Jean," said the curé.
"Oui, Monsieur," said Jean,
"How old are you, Jean?"
"Sixteen years, Monsieur."
"Sixteen years! It seems like yesterday since you were baptized. How the time goes! Sixteen years, you say? You are no longer a child, Jean, no indeed. Well, it is high time to decide what we are going to make of you, certainly. Tell me, Jean; you admire the character of your patron saint, do you not?"
"Mais oui, Monsieur."
"In what respect, my son?"
"Oh, Monsieur, he was a hero, without fear and without reproach, like Bayard."
"Bayard, Jean, what do you know of him?"
"He also was a hero, Monsieur. Mademoiselle Angers has told us about him."
"Without doubt. But Jean, Jean Baptiste, would you not like to be a hero like your patron saint?"
"Oui, Monsieur."
"Forerunner of the true God? Tell me that, Jean."
"Ah, Monsieur, as to that I do not know."
"You shall be, Jean, you shall be. Come, Jean, come with me this instant. We will go to see your parents, that is to say, your mother. Your father, Jean, was a good man; he rests in God. Pardon us, Mademoiselle. I fear that we have transgressed. But it is a very important matter and I wish to speak to Madame Giroux without delay. Permit us, if you please, to go now. Will you not grant us this favour, Mademoiselle?"
"With pleasure, Monsieur le curé," said the teacher. "And I hope that you will find something suitable for Jean. He is a boy of great force of character, one who might be very good or very bad."
"True, Mademoiselle; it is always thus. Adieu, Mademoiselle. Adieu, my children."
"Jean," said the curé, as they walked along the winding valley road, "I have known you for a long time, since you were a very small child; and I think, yes, I quite think that you have the vocation, the divine call to the service of God and His Church. Yes, it seems to me that you have all the marks. See! Probitas vitæ, innocence of life. I have not heard of any real wickedness that you have done. Faults, perhaps, like all boys; transgressions even, but nothing serious; venial sins, merely, like all mortals.