The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-08-06

"But how will the cutting down OF the
fortress do this Faith, | have often ,lloug ht
that il was more cost than profii.n
mo one cares for the fortress, Catherine g;
but for the church-s,eeple-the beacon by
day and the directing light by night FOR
those who enter the port No fisherman
will dare 10 venture out-no coaster " ill
dare venture in to purchase-in short Dun
kirk is ruined ~
There was an interval of gloomy silence,
bu, at length; CorniIie said
"Come my boys, go to bed. You must
get up early Tomorrow"
"And you" said his wife, will you 20 TO
bed now also ?'
mo, do not feel like sleeping now, aud
will take smoke; but you need not wait
for me. Let US repeat our evening prayer
And all knee!ing, repated together beauti-
ful canticle, for in those days the Frer ch
were a religious people.
The lads were soon between their'coarse
brown sheets, and Catherine, throwing her
self upon the bed apparently went TO slesp.
Cornille sat for nearly an hour, watch ng
The circling smoke of his pipe, and then,
with a stealthy tread went to The door As
he shot back The bolts there was a slight
movement on Calherine's bed, which arrest.
ed his progress. but as she did not speak he
opened The door, closed it gently behind
him, and set out for Dunkirk He had not
gone more than two-thirds OF the way, when
he heard rapid footsteps coming behind him. /.
Was he pursued did he not know that
step Was it The echo of his own? No =
Another instant solved his doubts, for his
wife approached him.
Il knew" said she, 'that you had cnn-
cealed something from me''
''My poor Catherine,i il was that you NEED
not be alarmed We fishermen have agreed
to meet 10 night in the preisi's garden 10 see
il something cannot be done TO save our
beacon tower. But you sea that women
could do nothing at such meeting"
"SanIs preserve us! bot il you men care
so much for sleeple' do you suppose thar
we women do mol care for the church -
There we were married, there our children
were baptised, there we joined in masses
for our deceased parents Oh, CorniIle, let
the women pray that the church may be
spared il nothing more, for iervent prayer
can never injure any enterprise"
''Thars what ! think mother, !" said soft
voice, and Jean Barr the youngest son came
from behind fish fleke. He had folio we'd
his mother, but feared his fathers anger,
and mid himself until he could see how she
was received
'Another hand at the oar" said the fish.
erman.
e Don't send Us back" enirca,ed both
mother audsson.
Well, WELL" said Cornlle, "come
aIong.a
Half an honr afierward the trio entered
the priests garden, where they found about
a hundred fishermen, some OF them like
Bart, accompanied by their families. All
were in groups, discussing The ihreaunei
demoliaiion of their church, in the conte,
surrounded by the oldest OF the party, was
The venerable priest. When all who we're
expected had arrived, he stood upon
wheel barrow ,and requested silence Every
head was uncovered-eVery tongue As 81
lent
my children" said The priest, s'yol ask.
ed me TO permit you TO assem- bic here to-
night, and ! granted yon the request. Now
have aGy of you any project for saving our
dear city with our loved church, from the
parting destruction OF the English a'
Several propositions were made, but the
priest shook his head as he heare them. =
Each one was more impossible Than was
its predecessor, and all were based upon
some act of violence which would have
drawn the wrath OF both nations upon The
city.
Catherine prof'ing BY a moments silence
addressed the priest.
q Supposing, reverend father, that we
women, leading our children, go in process
sion to see the English commissioner, and
implore him TO spare our towerfn
sit would be useless, my daughter, for
England seeks TO ruin our port, that hers
may flourish. Your idea is hopeless.'
There was murmur OF discontent thio'
the crowd, and one of the oldest fish srman
ebowing his way mp TO the priest, and with
a countenance purple with rage sud or
rather growled,
Look here, father, We hoped that you
would help Us in saving our church and
tower but you appear disposed TO throw
cold water on all orr projects. Indeed,
everything that is suggested, you object 10.
! didnl expect IL"
s'Masier Peron, you have the FIRE OF
youth under the debiIiated envelope of age; !;
but you do not possess the wisdom that be-
longs TO that gray beard. ! do not wish 10
throw cold water upon any reasonable pro-
ject; bot those suggested thus far are wholly
impractiSable. Neither, my children, can
suggest anything myself,and if Heav,sn does