The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-03-08

ne used to put his hand on my head, and call
me ma petite" 1seem. too. TO remember a
large, light room, with pretty curtains. and
carpet. and pictures. Then. do not know
ho~. hut it all fades away like dream"
"But why hast thou never toll me this BE-
fore. Christine? supposed thou hadst no
secret thought"
"Was it wrong rot to tell, sister Ursule
It was such beautiful thing to remember.
and ! was afraid should forget it. if I told
You. ! feared. If We talked about it, that
| should not be able to tell after little. how
much remembered myself, and how much
YOU had told me. feared. too, you would
say it was all dream. Now will you not
tell me? ?"
"Thou wouldst not be happier for know
ing. my poor child. Thou hast remembered
veil, but thou hast no home nor parents now
BE- content TO know thus far When thou
art older, thou wilt he nun, and Wit not
need parents. or friends"
Yes. must he 4 nun. that I NAV live
with Won hut, Sister Ursula. would It not
he beautiful f We could live together in that
pleasant room which I remember. with the
large windows. and bright curtains? I am
glad have told vou. but have so loved TO
think Of it-and ] thought that perhaps I
might one day see the same again. Oh, Sis
ter Crsule. do wish had father and mo-
ther. like the other pcnsionnnires ~ and her
eyes filled with tears again, and her lip.
quivered.
O Memory strange. wonderful Memory .
how art thou abused bv The most of men -
They call thee treachrrous-they call thee
weak; tut when did.t thou e'er betray the
trust reposed in thee? When didst .hou
lose sight Of the treasures committed 10 thv
keeping? They may be laid away, and
heaps Of rubbish NAV hide them from the
careless search. but Memory guards them
still. ready to start forth at her bidding when
the soul needs them
They we're sitting thus together. while
sleep wrapped the inmates Of those long
, rows Of cells in his dart mantle. and drew
its curtain. gently ronnd the careless. happy
girls. whose beds stood side by side. With on
ly the snowy harsings bttween-shey were
sitting thus together, when there came n
their ears low sound At krst they couli
not tell whether it was si,hn or without the
walls: hu: it gradually grew more distinct.
and the muifled sound Of voices might he dis
tingu'shed. then the tramp Of a multitude Of
feet; and all swelI,nc and minclins together
~ it drew nearer Soon loud shouts we're
heard. and then angry voice. under the very
wallis: and the light Of torches flashed up
through the win'io~. throwine the shadow o.
its iron CRATE on the whtewa>hrd ceiling
and the clane Of weapons was heard. and
heavy blows upon the gate, that threatened
its speedy destruction.
M'h- first unwonted sound, Crsule hal
risen TO her feet, and with Christine cIaspp,l
closely to her side stood in the attitude of
Ii>'cnins-her head bent forward. her un-
hound hair falling about her shoulders. and
her features. which habit had made as PLACID
as it emotions and passions had formed nc
part of her nature now strained with won
, der. and wild with fear.
note the hours of PRAYER. rang out with rapid
and nnequsl strokes, a lond alarm
/ Ursule sraspr,l tn" arm of Christine and
rushed into the passage. In anothcr n'omrn,
all was wild commotion. S,rramin. children
,lunc to terrified. half clothed women, a.
helpless as themselves. AID fed along III.
passages. TIE unwonted noise without. am
the darkness within. made the confusion com
plete Nuns lighted their taper.. but the,
we're extinyuished hy the sudden cIappin!
Of doors, or the hurry Of those who carrice
them.
The blows upon the iron gate we're con
tinued with renewed force. and now it CAV,
way, and with crash, and with loud cheers
a crowd Of assalants passed in over tn pros
trs.te barrier. and pressed their attack. upc,
the doors. =" Down with the priests and thei
power" was the cry which came up through
- IL -
and at every cry. the ponterous metal ran.
. with the strokes Of axes But nov, q doc
opens on one Of the passages, and the venera
ble mother superior appears, leaning on he
staff, and followed BY the next in Office carry
ing candle in her hand and large tun,
Of keys at the g;rdIe. They were ereete,
with an exclamation Of ;ov, and the nuns ra,
to kiss the hands Of La Seur .Superiew~.
j To the garden. my children, and be per
fectly SILENT" was the order. given ~ tn,
sister who carried the keys. and then, pre-
cceding them all. she unlocked the door. an,
waited till they had passed out, then, follow
ing, she carefully locked it behind her.
! Once in the garden, they all sought hidin,
places, as best they night. Some crept un
der rose bushes, some concealed themselve,
with the boughs Of the low cedars, other.
crowded behind the vines which we're train
ed to the walls. Crsule, still holding fas
her young charge, glided along indine
alley, till she reached arbor, which she
entered, and placing Christine in the darkes
corner, she took cruci6x from her bosom
and kneeling before it. she bent her head in