The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-09
From the French Of X. b. saintaIne J
Bfstorical 1abAeau,

IL was Saturday, the last day Of August,
1883. Ia gloomy cas.ellaIed mansion
on the banks Of The Loire, not fer from the
city Of Tours, FIVE persons, each Of q very
d 4 rent aspect from the other, were as
semhled in q large apartment, hung with
gilt leather, and more abundsntly furnished
W IN arms. walls, and relics, than with ar
iicles Of comfort or Of luxury. This dreary
chamber was only TO be approached by
narrow staircase, which wound its way
through the msssi G wall. A pale, worn
suffs er, with haggard and restless eye, Law
stretched upon q couch. At one side Of
him venerable hermit knelt ia prayer; oil
the other stood q physician, immovabIe ss
q statue, with his fore6nger pressed upon
the pulse Of his patient. Two others stood
in distant corner, silentl, observing what
was going on. or now and then conversing
in subdued whispers, or by the silent inter.
change OF looks.
The hrst OF these, OF middle stature, and
in the prime Of life, united with an air OF
frank good-nsture an expression of acute in
telllgence and clear-sightedness. He held
an inkhorn in his hand, as if ready to write
from dictation. He might have been taken
for a notary, had it not been for the rich
robe OF black velvet which formed his at.
tire, and the chain Of massive gold which
hung around his neck. The second, man
Of tall stature and spare form, with bald
head, and a countenance expressive OF
mingled cruelty and cunning, stood with
his arms folded, as If in the deepest anguish,
and his thick shaggy eyebrows closely knit,
whilst every now and then there burst from
him deep-drawn sigh.
There was yet another being, another
sufferer, in the room. Will it, however,
be seemly here to speak Of himl--for he
was but greyhound. He lay in corner,
on little bed which had been made ex-
pressl for him-for his master loved him
well. Both had been equally devoted to
the pleasures of the chase, and both had been
taken Ill on their return from a fatiguing
course. The dog, like the rest Of those
who were present at this scene, Kept his
eyes intently fixed upon the patient whilst
the latter, turning apprehensively from. the
gloomy and foreboding gaze of the physi-
clan, glanced towards the dumb animal,
and exclaimed, with peevish Impotence,
Gan We not contrive TO get up a death
struggle between the cat and the rats. as we
did yesterday, to divert my good greyhound
and myself, and to keep US awake? Oh,
what sgonies / am suffering be suddenly
exclaimed, writhing upon his couch. Then
turning towards the hermit, he continued,
MY father, pray to God to alleviate my
suferings. He only can. Even if He will
not show this favor to me, He will do It for
you, who are no y man, and have never
offended Him as | perhaps may have done.
Pay TO Him, father-Prsy very devou.ly;
De surely will not be able to refuse you
anything. And deep sobs mingled with
the Paternosters Of the hermit, as he bowed
bis head in supplication, and earnestly be-
sought Of God and ST. Eutropus that thew
souId sssusge the sufferers anguish, and
restore 10 him the health Of the soul as we'll
q, OF the body.
That Of the body for to-day; speak only
OF the body. my fat er. said the sick mar.
laying his wasted hand upon the hermit.
when one wants very much TO obtain any.
thing. one must not ask for so many thi, Is
81 q time
The monk obeyed; but the sufferings oil
the Psdspt continuing in undated force, he
now turned towards the physician.
Cannon you help me, my best friendi'
be exclaimed. On, for PHYS sake, do
give me some rel ef; you are my only hope
j have already made you rich and honor
able. | will make you richer still; but do
hot look al me in taat way, or I shall think
what ! to0Nld not think Unknit your
brow, and rejoice in your good fortune; for
by'r lady, for every month you keep me
alive from this day forth you shall be paid,
not, ss heretofore. ten thousand crowns, but
ti0enty thousand; yes, and more even if YOU
require IT,. The physician, apparently IN.
moved by all these brilliant promises, held
bottle Of smelling sals TO the nose Of his
patient, and administered to him few DROPS
oil some narcotic mixture. For a brief
moment the sufferer seemed relieved, bat il
was not long before bis sufferings returned
with aggravated power.
The relicsl-the relics he exclaimed.
turning anew to the sanity man, who stiIl
knelt by his couch. The monk, having
made the sign Of the cross, reverentIy an
preached a rich reliquary which lay on
small table in the centre Of the room, end
made the necessary preparations for charm.
ing away, BY its touch, the suferiugs of the
patient. For this purpose it was necessary
70 lay i gently for moment on the sui.
ferefs head. The monk was feeble and |
attenusted- less perhaps by age than by
continual fasting and Standardization. He
required assistance. He raised bis ewes
timidly towards the physician, who stood
facing him at the other side of the bed: the
latter only replied by contemptuousIy
struggling bis shoulders, and with scorn.
ful smile quilted his post by the bedside.
where, however, he was quickly replaced
by the man who wore the inkhorn BY his
side.
III recover through your means, oh, nav
holy and most powerful relics exclaimed |.
the patient, Il will erect 10 your honor a
church, ia which every one of you shall |
have his chapel; and there you shall repose
IN pure gold, studded with Jewels, and prav.
ers and invocations shall continually be or
fered at your shrine Then suddenly in.
terruPting himself. he exclaimed in hui.
ned voice, and as IL gasping for breath. +