Washington telegraph., 1850-02-06
THE MAIDEN'S CONFESSION.

relSneu IN the old and venerable church.
A very young maiden of slender form
and graceful gait, in simple though be-
coming dress of white, approached in
sadness the confessional The measured
tread of the delicate feet were scarcely
audible. Her faXen hair hung upon her
show white neck in natural ringlets, her
beauteous eyes, moistened with tears of
penitence, bespoke her sorrow, and the
bloom of her cheek, rivalled the delicate
tinge Of the budding rose, proclaimed her
dlftldence. That lovely giri dro~ naar an
old and pious priest, who sat in readiness
to hear confession, and absolve her from
her sins. She kneeled before him, and
offered up her prayers with a trembling
voice and penitential tervency. The
priest encouraged her, but her hea rt heav-
ed with grief, she buried her face in her
hands, and tears coursed through her
fingers.
"Poor child" spoke the pious old man.
Il will question thee. Hast thou read
improper books"
''Ah no, most reverened father"
"Hast thou offended thy father or mo-
ther?"
20, no, more than that dear father"
"Hast thou invoked Satan?'
"Ah, non'
"Hast thou at some time laughed dur
ing mass?
The priest was here silent for moment
He appeared as distressed as the little
sinner. His latin was at an end, and he
knew not what other question to pro-
pound to her. He was desirous of elicit
ing from her without causing her too
much pain, the sins she had committed.
But, thought he, perhaps she had been
affecting love for some one whom she
had just discarded; at any rate | must de-
wise some question, which will induce her
to divulge her grevious sins. While he
was thus rejecting, the maiden spoke
again.
Il will confess all, most reverend
father-give me strength to do it! L pray
you to exercise foroearance. 1t was the
first time, and little thought l should
have to suffer so for it. All, the wicked
one tempted me? But he was SO beautiful.
The priest shuddered.
''He appeared SO good, and he Aattered
me So.
"Ah.' sighed the priest.
Gle loved me So" continued the maid
en-.
The priest drew his eyebrows together.
"ue followed me at all times, and
wherever | went.
Precisely as | surmised," murmured
the priest; but the maiden did not hear
him, and continued
''lIe came one evening iuto my cham
ber."
20 Any, again murmured the holy
man
81 did not observe him immediately
this | can solennly vow-and l closed
the DOOR
And is this all.'' trernblingly inquired
the priest, after a pause.
"Ah, no, holy father reioined the
weeping girl.
Now comes my first transgression in
this crime"
Confess ali-confess, said the priest,
as he crossed himself
He was more friendly than ever-ah,
he was SO droll and loving-then it was
VIC w WiChCu OiiC NlSlCCu, anu l., yieluCu "
the temptation.
"Alas my daughter said the priest,
"has not your mother warned you against
such danger
"No, most holy father. Mother has
not forbidden me to love and keep the
cats"
What. the cats..'
Eyes, holy father. it was beautiful
white cat which [ was SO wicked as to
steal from our next neighbor, who is now
hunting for it every where.
"In nomine patria, file ct spiritus sa
peiente obsolvo"' exclaimed the relieved
priest. with a long and deep drawn breath.