Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-18
c n A p T L II TX.

II was cold and dreary day in November
The deep forest had shed its foliage, and the
chill and wintry blasts were reverberating
through the leailess limbs, as a company of
sturdy traders were fast making their way to-
wards a Mexican village. Stout and strong,
they seemed but little fatigued by long and
toilsome journey. But, in this crowd, and seat
ed upon a mule, with all the comforts which
such situation could command, was 4 frail and
delicate female, who, worn out with grief
and fatigue, was hailing with delight the spires
and walls of a neighboring convent, where, like
a weary pilgrim as she was, she hoped to find
rest and shelter from the storms of life.
"Thank Heaven" said she, 81 am almost at
my journeys end. Soon, my kind friends, you
will be relieved of the burthen you have so
kindly cared for; and, in those convent walls
shall pray without ceasing for the blessings of a
kind providence tc fall upon my reyered bene-
factors.
' "If il is your wish, madam, will endeavor
to get YOU admittance there, where you will GER
tainly have every care, for the sisters of charity
are the same all over the world, and have no
doubt they will receive YOU"
"Yes, be the Holy Mother, will answer for
that, an will go Immediately to the praste, me-
self, an be afther bringing him, an jest make
the holy sign of the cross, and the convent door
win be opened 10 ye immediately"
Well, Patrick, as you seem TO know more
of the Holy Church than any of the rest of us
we will send you TO the bishops house on al
errand of mercy, as soon as we reach the town
and see what you can do for the lady, as it il
her wish TO stop. And if you get better, mad
, am, on our return this way, and wish TO try t
reach the States, we will take charge of yol
and do all we can to get you safely back"
ooh! ten thousand thanks, kind sir" ex
claimed Emma, FOR you have already discOy
cred, dear reader, that il is she we have agail
encountered), but here let me remain the fev
short days that are left me TO walk the jomne,
7 of life. Earth has no charms for me; | Eay
been torn from all loved, and TO try and fin
, them again would be but tempting fate. Tn
= trials have endured have at last overcome m
G.ai! body, and sslly sect az asylsa for . Iii
i tie while 10 shield me from further trials
| where my sad and broken heart can weep an
pray till called away from an existence whic
, has been all storms and SORROWS, without on
beam of hope to brighten my pathway. AL, a
l was taken from me, and hope, too, at last, ha
forsaken her haplcSs child. shall feel bl
/ bestfo reach Christian abode. They cann'
r deny comfort and consolation to an unhapp
? wanderer, when asked in the name Of that &c
: whom We each adore" 50
c All who are at all acquainted with SPANS
d towns, are aware that the Catholic religion 60
J. erns ihem more than any civil authority, and
! gain protection, as travellers and foreigners, it
5, but necessary To get the aid of their priests
) Our travellers, therefore, upon entering Il
d village, made haste to make themselves know
5, 10 the ecclesiastical power, and by the sign
: llho cross, that universal emblem Of Christian