The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-07-24
sUPERsTITIoUs CREDULITY.

-
A widow Indy at Paris, aged 63, who
lodged on a two pair stairs floor, in the
Rue de la Ferroniere, with only n maid
servant, was accustomed to spend seye-
raj hours every day before the altar ded-
icated TO St. Paul in a neighboring
church. Some villains observing her
extreme bigotry, resolved, as she was
known to be very rich, 10 share her
wealth. One of them accordingly took
the opportunity to conce al himself be-
hind the carved work of the altar, and
when no person but the old lady was
there, in the dusk of the evening, he
contrived To throw a letter just before
her. She took it up. and not perceiving
any one near, Supposed it come by mir
acle. In this she was the more conform
ed when she saw it signed Peul the
Apostle, expressing the satisfaction he
received by her prayers addressed to him
when SO many newly canonized saints
engrsssed the attention oftbe world, and
robbsd the primitive saints Of their ado
ration and to show his regard for the
devotee, he promised to come from hea-
ven, with the angel Gabriel, and sup
with her at eight in the evening. IT
seemed scarcely credible that any one
could be deceived by so gross fraud
yet to what length of credulity will not
superstition carry weak mind The
infatuated lady believed the whole, and
rose from her knee in transport, to pre-
pare an entertainment for her heavenly
guests.
The supper bespoken and the side
board set out TO the best advantage, she
thought that her own plste, worth about
400, did not make so elegant an appear
ance as might be wished; aud therefore
sent to her brother a counsellor in Par
lament of Paris, to borrow all his plate.
The maid however was charged not 10
disclose the occasion; but orly to say
that she had company to supper, and
would lend his plate that evening. The
counsellor. surprised at the application,
well knowing his sisters frngal life, be-
gan to suspect that she was enamored of
some fortune hunter who might marry
her, and thus deprive his family of what
he expected at his sisters death. He
therefore positively refused to send the
plate, unless the maid would tell him
what guests were expected. The girl,
alarmed for her mistress's honor, de-
clared that her pious lady had no thought
of husband, but St. Paul having sent
her Letter from heaven promising that
he and the angel Gabriel would sup with
her, she wanted TO make the entertain
ment as elegant as possible.
The counsellor immedi ately suspected
that some villains had imposed on her,
and sending the maid with the plate had
proceeded directly to the commissary of
that quarter,-On the magistrates 60
ing with him to house adjoining, they
saw just before 8 o'clock, tall man
dressed in long vestments with white
beard, and a young man in white with
large wings at his shoulders, alight from
hackney coach and go up to his sisters
apartment.
The commissary Immediately ordered
twelve of the police guards to post them
selves on the stairs, while he knocked at
the door and desired admit,ance. The
lady replied that she had company and
could not speak to any one. But the
commissary answered that he must come
! in. for that he was St. Peter and had
come to ask ST. Pau. and the angel Ga
! briGl how they came out of heaven with
out his knowledge. The divine visitors
we've astonished at this, not expecting
any more saints to Join them but the
lady overjoyed at having so great an
apostle with her rnn eagerly to thh door,
when tho commissary, her brother, and
police guards rushed IN, presented their
muskets, seized her guests and conduct
ed them to prison. On searching the
criminals, two cords, razor, aud a pis-
tol, were found in St. Paui's pocket, and
gag in that Of the angel Gabriel.-
Three days iafter tho trial came "a |;
when they pleaded in their defence, that
one was q soldier in the French infantry,
aud the other a barber's apprentice
that they had no other design than to
procure at the widows expense, it
being carnival time, they had borrowed
these dresses, aud the soldier having
picked up the two cords, put them into
his pocket--that the razor was that with
which he had constantly shaved himself
---that the pistol was to defend them
from insult to which their strange habits
might expose them ia going home, ,--and
and that the apprentices, whose master
was tooth drawer, merely had the gag,
which they sometimes use in their busi-
ness. These excuses, frivolous as they
may seem, proved Of some avail \; and
they were both acquitted.