The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-09-13

Twas Saturday, the last day Of August,
1883. In gloomy, castellated manson
on he banks of the Loire, not far from the
cit Of Tours, FIVE persons, each Of a very
tfrent aspect from the other, were assem-
bad in large apartment, hung with gilt
leather, and more abundanly furnished
WITH arms, walls and relics, than with ar
tides Of comfort or luxury. This dreary
climber was only to be approached by a
narrow staircase, which wound its way
through the massive wall. A pale worn
sifierer, with haggard and restless eye,
,,y stretched upon couch. At one side
d him venerable hermit knet in prayer;
Il the other stood a physician, immoveab!e
Is a statue, with his foretinger pressed upon
the pulse OF his patient. Two others stood
in distant corner, silently observing what
was going on, or now and then conversing
in subdued whispers, or by the silent inter-
change Of looks
The first OF these, Of middle stature, and
in the prime Of life, united with an air OF
frank good nature On expression of acute
Intelligence and cIear-sigh,edness. He
held an ink-horn in his hand, as if ready to
write from dctation. He might have been
taken for a notary, had it not been for the
rich robe Of black velvet which formed his
attire, and the chain of massive gold which
was sbou, his neck. The second, man of
tall stature and spare form, with bald
head, and a countenance expressive oil
mingled cruelty and cunning, stood with
arms folded, as if in the deepest anguish,
and bis thick, shaggy eyebrows knit, whilst
every now and then there burst from him
deep drawn sigh.
There was yet another being, another
sufferer, il the room. Will il, however, be
seemly here to speak of him?-ior be was
bat greyhound He lay in a corner, on a
little bed msde expressly for him-for bis
master loved him well. Both had been
equally devoted to the pleasures ofthe chase,
and both had been taken i'll on their return
from faliguiar course. The dog, like the
rest Of those who were present at this
scene, kept his yves intently fixed upon the
patieat; whilst ihe latter, turning appre-
hensiyely from the gloomy and torebodIng
gaze Of the physician, glanced towards the
dumb animal, and exclaimed with peevish
Impotence, .'Can we not contrve to get
up death struggle between the Cat aud the
rats, as we did yesterday, to divert my
good grey hound and myself, and to keep
us awake oh what agonies am suffer.
ing! he suddenly exclaimed, writing upon
his couch. Then turning towards the her
nit, he continued, "My father, pray to God
TO alleviate my suferngs. = He only can
Even if he will not show this favor to me,
lie will do it for you, who are holy man,
and have never offended Him, as ] perhaps
NAV have done. PRAY to Him, father
pray very devoutly; ne surely will not be
able to refuse you anything" And deep
sobs mingled with the paternosters Of the
hermit, as he bowed his headi suppication,
and earnestly besought God and St. Eutro-
pus that they would assuage the sufferers
anguish, and restore TO him the health Of
the soul as well as Of the body.
"That of the body for to-day; speak only
of the body, my father" said the sick man,
laying bis wasted hand upon the hermit