Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-05-05
Original.
800 For the Anti-slavery Busic.
a TALE OF THE OLDEN TIME,

~ h'SH'hu, hNeu u frlest. Ills lite would have
been almost solitary, but Tor the numbers that
locked to his confessional for absolution of Father
Beaucair seemed surer salvation, than of any other
in the whole district. lie was one Of the very few
upright, conscientious priests. Seldom did one in
trouble or affection come to confess at his humble
altar, without receiving words of sympathy and
consolation, and renewed strength for the ceascless
battle Of life. The repentant, erring one would
meet such strong and earnest appeal for the right,
such prayers against temptation and sin, as left
no doubt that his sins were pardoned. And few
indeed were found sufficiently hardened to brave a
second rebuke from Father Beaucair.
Notwithstanding his popularity with the poor
and weak, many of whom would have risked their
lves-all they had-for him, he had many enemies,
who were strong and powerful, The Priests and
Bishops had, through ~ektortioa and oppression,
become rich, and their power SO great that their
sway extended over the whole kingdom, and even
the crowned heads bowed before them. Yet feared
they the influence of this one humble man, and
they hated him, because his holy life was constant
reproof for their own. vice and wickedness, and
gladly would they have removed him from his
chapel, could they have found aught against him.
Father Beaucair was poor, as the selfsacrifcing
ever arc. lie believed that God had created all
men Of one blood, and he could not see even the
lowest and mcancst suffer, without attempting
their relief. lie was rich only in the love of a
daughter, who had been left to his care in her
infancy, by a young and fondly loved wife.
Without assistance he had reared her; aud no
= matter where his steps led-to the mnrriage-table
to the bedside of the dying; to offer masses for the
salvation of the soul in IIeaven-the little Edith
was always by his side and, unknown to herself,
almost unknown to him, she grew up from infancy
to %girlhood, from girlhood to a beautiful woman.
1t was a sight to make the heart swell anew with
holy impulses, to see that dark-eyed girl, chanting
old melodies in answer to the song of birds and
twining wreaths of flowers round the tombstone
DER her mothers grave, meath the elm tree in
the glen. But she was not often alone. On the
other side of the glen from her fathers cottage,
was one of still more lowly appearance. Its
occupants were an old woman-so old that even
Father Beaucair did not remember her as ever
having been young, and her grandson, Edward.
STEW years elder than Edith. Old Alice was the
only one who had ever shared in attending to the
little Edith, and often in her childhood, when her
father was summoned at midnight to pray with the
dying, or in stormy weather, had he carried her to
JIG ~ Hut, ulu ~ ntT III mOtnef AllCGS care.
She also attended to the simple wardrobe of the
little one, and in return, Father Beaucair instructed
young Edward in all things necessary to fit him
Tor the priesthood for that Edward might become
a Father in the Church, was old Alice's only wish,
and on this were also fixed his own hopes and
aspirations. Thus, Edward and Edith were ALWAYS
companions. Together they studied the old masters.
True, her father did not think it necessary that
Edith should learn what could only De beneficial
to one of his own sex but he concluded it would
do her no harm, and wisely left her to follow her
own inclination. Together they explored the glen,
gathered the daisies, and carried them to the little
wooden bench, that stood in the shade of the elm
tree beside her mothers grave. 1t could not be
said that they learned to love; they grew up in
the element of love. As her playmate and
protector, he loved her above all the world and
she, though she loved and venerated her father
though she laid her head on his shoulder and
kissed his c~heek-would spring from his arms at
Edwards call, and well she knew that for the
tuihllment of any childish fancy, she must look to
Edward. And when at length old Alice died, and
another stone was planted in the glen, beside the
one already there, their grief was soothed by the
thought that one roof, one table, and one fathers
love would be shared by both.
Manhood and womanhood came upon them, and
the rose of health ~deepened on their cheeks, and
happiness left there its impress of beauty, and
the tree of love spread its branches and filed the
chambers, and twined its roots around all the fbres
of their hearts. There was no fear in the mind of
either that the love of a whole heart was not given,
and when Edward saw the color deepen on her
cheek, and the ~kindling of her eye at his approach,
he knew that she was his, ard raised his voice in
thankfrlness, and prayed for wisdom to protect
and guide her Alright. And she, when she behelt
his manly form, and felt his warm kiss on he,
cheek, felt that she was safe from any harm tn,
world might have in store.
8 As they sit in the twilight at their trysting place
beside the graves under the elm tree, he breathe
in low tones, not of fear, but hope" My Edith
can aught divide or separate us ?" "Only death.
is her reply. Then he places round her neck
chain, linked to which is a small locket, with tn
inscription-"My Edith" Death shall not remov
it thence.
Father Beaucair saw and knew all that wa
passing in the minds of his children, and it CAV
him only pleasure. His own love had been mos
perfect, though its object had 50 soon faded fror
earth, and he knew that human affection wa
necessary to the life of the soul. Then, too. h
felt that his own life WAS drawing to its close. ii
could not now SO easily go through the arduou
duties attendant on his order, rs in former year.
lie often turned his eyes toward the glen, and a
unerring voice whispered that seldom would tn
leaves of autumn strew those mounds, ere anotho
would be added. and his own form would re.
beside the companion of his youth. The only pan
such feeling brought him was the thought of Edit
Carefully, then, as his own child, he had instruete
Edward, not only in the lore of the old science
but in the faith Of the mother Church, in III
q nrincinles of bis hnly relininn and instiIad L..