Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1856-01-26

Lie in 4 NunneFY.

From Mss BlmhIey'S B0Ok.--lt will
be readily imaglnea Ihat the unnatural
state of things prevailing under the con-
ventual system is calculated rather to pro-
mote than event the rising o. those pet
= ieaOuSies and dI,lIkes which must be
incidental to such an association. With
out the strong ties OF kindred or lrlen ship
TO bind them one 10 another, II Is not ike
ly that the poor prisoners Of convent
will spend n perfect harmony The tedious
hours and ears OF thcir mpuIsory seclu-
sion. A single iurIGenr may let The read
er into the realluts OF that relationship
which Rome Prelends TO constitute amor
the unhappy inmates of nunncry, and
which she deslguates by the deceptive
name OF "ssIerhood.'
Having been sent one evening TO Wo'k
in the boarders' relectory instead OF that
of The sislerhoOd, while standing near one
of the tables at which the boaiders were
seated, | took up basket aud carried 1t
10 the sculery for some bread. Scarcely
had entered the room and handed the
basket to the sister who had charge OF tie
department, when felt myself seized 10y
the arm, and, locking round, saw ,he an
grv counteuapcr of the sister VII" presided
al the boarders' table. She asked me, IN
passionate lone, by whose authority
had taken that bas kel for bread, and wheth-
er had been appointed waiter by the Sn.
perior. | answ cred no, and that would
not have taken the basket had she not or
dered me, the night before, 10 do so when
she had said that bread was wanting upon
the table.
The sister told me that had no author
ity of the kind, and that she would report
me 10 the Superior, and have me Drought
before "the council | replied that | was
not conscious of having done wrong but
she followed me INTO the porch, talking IN
4 loud and angry zone. | dreaded the
"sacred council" and went al once TO the
novitiate, and told the mistress OF novIces
what had occurred. She answered me
that had "many cross to bear"
That evening, while on The way 10 my
cell. | noticed IN one of the clolsters Sis
ter Leaning against the wall. She beck
Oued me 10 her, and then made motion
for me to follow her. soon found 1t was
the sister who had il-trealed me III the
refeclury. | became alarmed, as she was
leading me to balcony beyond The cells.
| whispered that nIusi 90 to my cell
that would be missed. BY this time we
had reached the balcony. She nSlSIed
that should wait, closing, at lie same
time, the door after us. Just then, hear
ing noise near by, as If some one was
crossing the porch to the lntiJmary, We
walked In !ew steps TO escape ObServa-
uOn. The ,..,gr men fell on her knees,
asking ny forgiveness Tor having abused
me, aud begging me not to speak of what
had Occurred should have an interview
with the Superior priest. | would here
state that. in those interviews, sister is
questioned as to any difficulties she NAV
have had with others in the community.
/ promised secresy, and went TO nv cell.
Weared and exhausted with my duties
in the academy, besides my evening work,
an irresistible oppression OF soul weigh
ing down my powers of mind and body, |
tried in vain to sleep. | thought of my
ill health, caused by the lahorious exercl-
ses had 10 perform, and the suferlngs
and sorrows had undergone since my re-
ceplon IN the community. | looked out
uPon The future ; it appeared to stretch be-
fore me. even into eternity, drear path
on whlch no beam of sunshine wond fall
so cheer, and In which no voice Of kindred
love would breathe lis music OF cOnsula-
ton 10 ny heart. sighed Tor my home.
IN desoIatlon of spirit, mourned for It's
remembered love. Bat the fearful con-
scIUusness cane 10 me that | was severed