Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-10-24
The Bishop and the Brigands.

The Bishop and the Brigands.
Cravette brcks into the Cathedral and
stripped the mcris,y. lie robberes dssols.
lated the country. The gsusd'-srmes were
put upon biz. trail. but In vain. lie always
escaped; sometimes by forcibls resistance.
lIs was bold wretch. In the mldst Of oil
this terror the bishop arrived. lie vas
making hi' visit TO Cl.astsir. Tho Mayor
came to SEQ him and urged him to turn
back. Cravet,e held tho mountains a' far
rs Archie, and beyond; II would bs danger.
on. even with an e-cort. IL would eIpoce
three or four Sens.d' .armes 10 uselss dan.
ger.
And so," said the biahop, " intend to
60 without an escort.
&c DO not think OF such thing" ex-
claimed the Mayor.
~ think - much Of II that I absolutely
refuse the ger. d'.Armss, and am gong to
start In an hour"
"To start1''
ITO start"
Alone ?"
Alone"
Z" Mo..eispsur. you will not Do -"
There !. on the mountain" replied the
bishop. "a humble little commune. that !
have no, .een for three years. and they are
good friends OF mine-klnd and honest pea.
SAINTS. They own one goat out OF thirty
,ha, they pasture. They make pretty wool.
en- thread Of various eolors, and they play
their mountain airs upon small. suholed
au,c-. They need some one occasionally to
tell them Of the goodness OF God. What
would they say Of a bishop who VA. Airaid'
wha, woa!! they cay II should not so
thcre''
" Bot. mon.c,gnsur. the brisands7"
"Tru,." -aid the bishop. 4" | am ihink.
ing Of them. You are right ] may meet
them. They. too. need rome ono to tell
them Of the goodness Of God"
Monsieur Mayor, perhaps Jesus has
radc ms keeper OF ,ha, very dock. Who
knows the way. Of Pro,iisnce' :
Mon.cisnsur, they will rob you"
81 have nothing"
They will kill you"
"a simple oli prie., who passes along
mu,terinc hi. prayers' No. no; what good
would /, do ,hcm'"
30. my good cir, suppose you should
meet ,hsm?"
81 should ask them Tor ain, for my poor.
"Mou.eisneur. DO no, go. In the name
Of heaven You are exposing your liis."
"Monsieur Mayor" .aid the bishop.
,ha, /. just Il. AIN no, in the world to
care Tor my lie. bu, for souls"
lie would no, 30 d.suaded. lie Sc. out.
accompanied only by a child. who offered to
20 a. hi. guide. Ills ob.'iuacy was tho talk
Of the country. and all dreaded the result.
lie crossed the mountain on mule, me,
no one. and arrived ais and sound among
hi. good friends the shepherds. lie remain.
ed ,hsre fortnight, preaching. administer.
ing the holy rites. teaching md eIhor'Ins.
when hs va. about 20 leave no resolved 10
chan, a Re Dsum with pOn'i6ca, ceremonies.
Ils talked with tho cure abou, IL. Ia,
what could bc douv' There va, no epi'co.
pal furniture. They could only place a,
hi. disposal pal,ry village ''cri.'y With a
fiw old robes OF worn.ou, dama.k, trimmed
with imitation galloon.
mo matter" said tho bishop. Mon.
.ieur le Cure. at the sermon announces our
Te Deum. Tha, will take care OF itseli."
All the neishborins churches were ran
sacked. but the assembled magniGcence OF
the humble pari.hc, could no, have suitably
clothed single cathedral singer.
While they were in this embarrassment.
q large che., was brought to the par'pnage.
aui leIi for the Bishop by two unknown
hor,cmen. who Immediately rode away.
The chest was opened; !, contained . COPE
OF gold. mi,rc orbsmented With diamonds.
an archhi.hop's cross, magnificent cro'icr.
all the pontiGcl raImsn, stolen month
before from the treasures OF Our Lady OF
Embrun. In the chest wa.a paper on which
was written ibese words: Cravatie to
Mon.eigneur Bien'enu."
81 said tha, would take care OF itself."
said the si.hop. Sbsn be added with
smile: " To him who is content with cures
.urpI.cc, God sept' M archbi'hop's cope.
Victor Hugo.