Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-23
Father Nicodeu1Rs.
FUNNY STORY SLOWING HOW HE WAS KEPT
.rV 81 FROM STARVING TO DEATH.

. -NlcOdemus was a Jolly lrlar belonging 10 the
fraternity OF Faroak. The abode of this pious,
but cheerful brotherhood, was within the walls
= of Fairoak Abbey, massive building, partly in
ruins, partly occupied blythe Fairoak brother
hood; and one particular wing of which was fit
ted up as the humble abode of twenty two Ar
roasians OF ST. Augustine. These lanatica
monks had walled up their part of the abbey so
as to have no communication with the outer
world. They were living in constant penance.
{ They neither wore lineu, ate flesh, or spoke a
word, even among themselves. One part of
their penance was perpetual silence. The
'Fairoak brothers not only never heard Of them,
but not the slightest noise ever proceeded from
the Arroasan wing Of the building.
With this explanation as to the tenants of
Fairoak Abbey, let us narrate ludricrous Sc
'ries Of incidents which occurred there, and in
which Father Ncodemus was the principal ac-
tor. Il may perhaps be known that for monk
to offer violence TO the superior, or Abbot of
his fraternity, is punished with death, by tor
ture, or starvation, or any mode which may be
prescribed. Well, Father Nicodemus, who was
a Jolly, good-natured, harum-scarun sort of a
parsonage, on one occasion got the nl-will Of a
large number Of his brother Fairoakers. They
tried all manner OF ways to get him punished;
and at last they found tangible charge 10 bring
against him. Father Nicodemus was wont TO
visit the house oil certain miller, whose fair
daughter had attracted his eye. Indeed there
was little doubt but that the good friar loved
the pretty girls quite as well as he loved his
glass of wine. To make our story short, then,
the miller aforesaid accused the worthy Nico-
demus with enjoying his hospitality aud at the
same time scducing his daughter. This was a
monstrous scandal to the holy fraternity Of Fair
oak. The virtuouS Indignation Of the brothers
who had hated Nicodemus was aroused by this
bit of scandal and soon the culprit was accused
before the Abbot with divers high misdcmeun-
ors against holiness and morals, among which
the seduction of the millcr's daughter stood pro-
minent.
The day Of trial came, and Father Nicodc-
mus was summoned before his superior and
jury of his peers. The charges against him
were duly read, and he was pronounced a fit
subject for correction, unless he could disprove
or explain them away. . .. .. .... @
Call in the Miller of Hornford said the Alb
bot; 'let him confront the prisoner
i allege, said the miller, 'that he partook of
my cheer and debauched my daughter. And |
have other equally h"inous charges to prefer
against him .
'Oh thou especial rogucl' exclaimed Faith
er Nicodemus; 'dost thou come here TO bear WIT
ness against me? will impeach thy testmo-
say; for the evidence Of it is written on thy
brow, thou brawny villain! Thou Dearest NAL
ice against me because l. some six years ago,
inflicted a cracked crown on thee, for robbing
this holy house of its lawful meal. deemed
the punishment adequate to the offence, and
spoke not of it to the Abbot, in consideration Of
thy promising 10 mend thy ways. 11adst thou
not well merited that mark OF my attention to
the interests of my brethren, the whole lord
ship would have heard of it, And didst thou
ever say | made the wound? Never thy
tale was that some Of thy mill gear had done it..
But will be Judged 10y any here, if the scar be
not of my backthorn's making. / will sum
mon three-score, at least, who shall prove it TO
be my mark. Thou hast boarded maice in thy
heart from that day; and now thou comeSt here
to Vomit it forth, as thou deemest, to my undo
ing. But, be sure, caitiI, that l SHALL testify
upon thy sconce hereafter: for know thou art
rogue enough TO rob if thou canst and fool
enough 10 rob with so little discretion as to be
easily detected; and even if my present staff be
worn out, there be others in the woods - er-
go
Peace, brother Nicodemus : exclaimed the
Abbot; approach not a single pace nearer to
I the miller; neither do thou threaten nOs brow
beat him. l enioin thee ... -.'.
Were it moi for the reverence owe 20 those
who are round me- and my unwiningness 70
commit even so triAng SIM said Ncodemus,
p - would take this sanderous and ungrateful
knaVe betwiXt my finger and thumb, and drop
HIM among the hungry eels Of lis own mill
stream ehaLe- apSce lay hands on me-
hrelhrenk-lor wax .wroth, and am sure, il
these moouS--so weak is rnan-to do mischief
ere my humor subside.'
- 'sPeek on miller said the Abbot; and thou
Brother INCIDENTS, give way TO thine inyor,
enemy, At thy peril 100