, 1859-02-25
ST. EscARPAcIo's BONES.
TRANSLATED FROM TIE FRENCH.

Jago, in the island of Cuba. She was about 70
sail for CadiZ, the passengers were on board, and
the sailors at their several stations, awaiting the
word Of command. The captain, small tight.
built, shrewd-looking man, with the voice and
manner Of naval officer, which, indeed, he had
formerly been was brave and experienced, and
although somewhat wild and daring, he was Q
good fellow at heart, but now and then violent
ard headstrong to fault; in short, Captain Pc.
rez was the terror Of his men.
He was walking the deck with rapid strides
and exhibiting the greatest impotence, now stop.
ping to observe the direction Of the wind, and
casting glance at the shore, then resuming his
walk with a preliminary stamp Of disappoint.
ment ard vexation; no one, in the meanwhile,
daring to ask why he delayed getting under way.
At length strains Of church music at dis
tance are heard on board the vessel, and all eyes
are directed to the shore. A long procession Of
monks, holding crosses and lighted wax tapcrs,
and singing, is seen approaching the beach oppO-
site the vessel The procession moves slowly
and solemnly to the cadence Of the music. Be-
tween two rows Of monks dressed in deep black
is coffin richly decorated with all the symbols
of the Catholic faith, and covered with garlands
and chaplets, and, what is singular, the coffin Is
carried with difficulty by six stout negroes.
Four venerable Jcsuits support the corners Of
the pail and, Immediately behind the coffin, walks
alone, with grave and dignified step, the Right
Reverend Father Antonio, superior of the Jesuit
missionaries of the island Of Cuba. An immense
crowd Of citizens, the garrison Of the island, and
the military and the Ciyil authorities, pious'y
form the escort. T .H-r H. u.I
Suddenly the singing ceases, the procession
halts, the coffin is placed on elevated supporters.
Father Antonio approaches il, and, kissing the
pail with reverence, exclaims, with solemnity
BETTING the occasion: u 1,E
"Adieu! Saint Escarpacio, thou worthy
model Of our ORDER adeul In separating my
self from thy holy remains, I fulfil thy last
wishes; may they piously rcpCse in our happy
Spain, and may thy sanity VOWS and aspirations
be thus accomplished. But before their depart
ure from our shores, We conjure thee, holy saint,
to look down from thy holy place of rest in
heaven, and deign 10 bless this people, and US,
thy mourning frioads on earth"
The whole assembly then knelt upon the
ground, after which the negroes, resuming their
heavy burden, carried it on board boat, close
ly followed by Father Antonio. With vigorous
rowing the boat soon reached the vessels side,
and the coffin was hoisted on board.
"You arc very late, reverend father" said Cap
tain Perez, "and you know eind aud tide 'odit
for no man ] ought to have been far on my
way long before this hour"
ave could not get ready sooner, my son, y
tho holy father replied, "but far not God will
reward you for the delay, and these precious re-
mains will speed you on your voyage. l hope
you have made your own private cabin, as you
promised, worthy Of their reception :"
"Yes certainly, have"
"You must not for moment lose sight Of the
coffin"
SNAKE yourself easy on that point. holy fath-
er; shall watch over It as il Il were my own.
II a. kav. 1an
tain cried.
Four sailors place themselves at the corners Of
the coffin, but they can hardly raise It from the
deck two more arc called, and the six, bending
under IFS weight succeed in carrying it down
into the cabin, followed by the Captain and by
Father Antonio. '-''l'asa''a7'-'a-''-
When the coffin was properly bestowed, the
reverend father addressed Captain Perez in the
most earnest and solemn manner:
al hOle. you win be found worthy Of the great
confidence and trust l now repose In you. These
precious remains should occupy your every mo-
ment, and you viii sacredly and faithfully ac-
count TO INC for their satcty-the smallest neg.
ligcncc viii cost YOU dear. On your arrival at
Cadiz, you will deliver the coffin to none other
than Father IIieronimO, and not to him even, un-
less he shall first place in your hands letter
from me-you understand my instructions and
commands? Now depart, and may God speed
you on your way"
Father Antonio then came upon deck, and be-
stDwed his benodlctiOn upon the vessel, and upon
all Il eontaineds after which, descending 10 the
boat, he was rowcd to the shore. As he placed
himself at the head Of the procession, the sing
ing recommended, the anchor was weighed, and,
to the sound Of music, the'cheering Of the poo-
pie, and the roar Of cannon, the vessel moved
slowly on her destined voyage.
Whan fairlv AZ caa Nhe vcinl W. eavOrabla
and all went well. The second evening out,
Captain Perez was alone in his private cabin, and
in contemplatiye mood, when the feeble light
Of the single lamp glancing across the coffin, as
the vessel rocked from side to side attracted his
attention, and led him to think about the singu-
larity Of its great weight. -aE
at Is very strange" he said musingly, six
stout fellows 10 carry mans dry bones lit
cannot be possible. But what does the coffin
contain il it does not contain the saints bones
Father Antonio was very, very particular.
should really like TO know what there is in the
coffin. II took good half dozen strong healthy
negroes, and then as many sailors, to carry il ;
what can there be in the cOllinY Why, after all,
| can know if please. have but 70 take out
few screws, It can be done without the slight.
est noise, and | am alone, and tho cabin door is
easily fastened" ID -..-
Suitng the action to his soliloquy, he boltcd
the door Of the cabin, took from his tool-chest a
scrow-driver, and, ailer a moments indecision,
began cautiously to loosen one Of the screws in
the lid Of the colin, his hands all the while trem.
bling violently. .ssais
"1G" thought he, 81 am committing helm.
Gus sin, iG the saint should start up, and it. 10
his anger, he should in some appalling manner
punish my sacrilcgious meddling with his bones! !"
A cold sweat ovCrSpread his bronzcd ysagc,
and he stood still moment, hcSitaling As to