Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-04-09
Ane ecdote of the Partisan Police.

Gu as 4 ud[ulali Vi us sdletJs Huu Ctel HllhlSlc
of police, a man of rare talent and integrity
At the same period, the parish of St. Germas
in the quarter Of the Rue St Antonio, had fo
its cure Il kind, venerable old man, whose whole
life was spent in doing good both to the souls
and bodies Of his fellow creatures, and whose
holy consistency and dignfed courage caused
him to be beloved by the good, and respected
even by the most abandoned characters. One
cold, dark winters night, the bell at the old
cures door was rung loudly, and he, although
in bed, immediately rose and opened the door
antcipatinga summons to some sick or dying
bed.
A parsonage, richly dressed, with his fea-
stood outside. Addressing the cure in a cour-
teous and graceful manner, he apologzed for
his unreasonable visit, which as he said, the
! high reputation Of Monsieur had induced him
; to make.
"A great and terrible, but necessary and in
evitabe deed he continued, lis to be DONE
| Time presses; soul about to pass into eternity
| mplores your ministry Ifyou come, you must
allow your eyes to be bandaged, ask no ques-
| tions, but consent to act simply as spiritual con-
soler of dying woman. If you refuse to ac
company me, no other priest can be admitted,
and her spirit must pass alone r .-.r
| After moment of secret prayer, the cure an
swered, 4 will 90 with you.' Without asking
| any further explanation, he allowed his eyesto
| be bandaged, and leaned on the arm of his sus-
picious visitor. They both got into coach,
whose windows were Immediately covered with
wooden shutters, and then they drove off ra-
pidly. They seemed 10 90 long way, and
make many doublings and turnings, ere the
coach drove under wids archway and stop
ped. ...
During this time not single word had been
exchanged between the travellers, and ere they
got out the stranger assured himself that the
bandage over his companions eyes had not
been displaced, and then taking the old man
respectfully by the hand, he assisted him to
alight and to ascend the wide steps of n stair
case, as far as the second story. A great door
opened, as if Of itself, and several thickly car
peted rooms were traversed in silence. At
length another door was opened by the guide,
and the cure felt his bandage removed. They
were in solemn-looking bed chamber; near
bed, halr.veiled by thick damask curtains was
small table, supporting two wax lights which
feebly illuminated the cold, death-like apart
ment. The stranger (he was the Duke de-)
then bowing to the cure. led himrtowards the
bed, drew back the curtains, and said in a SOL
emn tone:
Minister of God, before you isa woman who
has betrayed the blood of ancestors, and whose
doom is irrevocably fixed. She knows on what |
conditions an interview has been granted her;
she knows, too, that all supplcations would be
useless. You know your duty, M. lie Cure; |
leave you to fulfil it, and will return to seek
you in half an hour .-',- .,-s.s .a& |
So saying he departed, and the agitated priest
saw lying on the bed young and beautiful |
girl, bathed in tears and battling with despair,
and calling, in her bitter agony, for the cons
forts of religion No investigation possible!
for the unhappy creature declared herself bound
by terrible oath, to conceal her name; besides;
she knew not in what place she was.
& am she said, the victim ofa secret family |
tribunal whose sentence is irrevocabie! More
cannot tell. forgive my enemies, as trust
God will forgive me. Pray for meD
The minister of religion invoked the sublime,
promises of the gospel to soothe her troubled
soul, and he succeeded. Her 'countenance af-
er time became composed, she clasped her
'ands in fervent prayer, and then extended
hem towards her consoIer. ,...-z~ r.u i.
As she did so, the cure perceived that the
sleeve of her robe was stained with blood.
My child said he, with trembling voice,
what is this? .Gt 4s.g5} & yvsf4t 1t
Father, it is the vein which they have already
opened, and the bandage no doubt was-care-
essly put on y. tr* III - @'# @> -
At these words sudden thought struck the
PRIEST. He unrolled the dressing, allowed the
blood to flow, stepped bis hanGkerchefin it,
henreplaced the bandage, concealed the stain
d handkerchief within his vest, and whispered: Fl
Farewell my, daughter, take courage and / .
ave confidence in God, ssaytz .zs-.E sxj /
J The half hour had expired, and the step of {
be terrible conductor was heard approaching
Il am ready said the cure, and having allow Y
d his eyes covered, he took the arm of the |
luke de- and left the awful room, praying t
with secret feryor. "a. = .-. ..-f..
Arrived at the foot of the staircase, the old
ian succeeded, without his guides knowledge.
slightly displacing the thick bandage so as +
} admit partial ray of lamp light. Finding 4,
mself in the carriage gateway, he managed :,
stumble and fall, With both hands forwards v
ward a dark corner. The Duke hastenedto =
Use him; both resumed their places inathe car Fl
ge.and after repassing through the same tor t
ous route the cure was SET, down in safety at
s own door. ; = "a @oia'o9 '@''5s w
Without one moments delay he called his 3,
rvant. svI II ffia-gz aaroG- z5rz4 rszszszs h
Pierre he said, .sarm yourself with stick, !"
ID give me your risuppor; must 60 to the min 81
er of police fsa, / ss;57sesI g'H.gaa3leqsf
Soon afterwards the official gate was opened :,
Admit the well known venerable pastor. I'm
'Monseigneur,' he said, addressing the minis- :
r, "a terrible deed will speedily be accomplish "a
!, if you are not in time to prevent it,. Let :,
ur agents, visit, before, day break every car Z
ge gateway in Paris, in the inner apgle of :, o
e Of them will be found a blood stained hand u
rchief The blood is that Of q young female, n
,ose murder, already begun, has, been mira
louslo suspended. Her family, have condem-,
ID their victim to have her veins opened one d d
one, and thus to perish slowly in expiation1 te
q fault already more than nunished hY her te