The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-02-25
nAneCdOte OF the Paris Police

Previously to the year 1873, but st what
precise date | cannot say, the city of Paris
possessed as guardian of its safety, aud
chief minister of police, man of rare
talent and Integrity. At the same perl
cd, the parish OF St Germais, in the quar-.
ter Of the Rue St. Autolne, had for its
cure kind, venerable old man, whose
life was spent iu doing good to both the
soul aud bodies of his fellow creatures.
and whose hely consistency and digpltied
courage caused him to be loved by the
good aud respected by even the most
avandoued characters. One cold, dark
winters night the bell at the old cures
door was rung loudly, aud he. although
in bed, Immediately arose and opened the
door, anticipating summons to some
sick or dying bed.
A personace, richly dressed, with his
features partly concealed by large false
beard, stood outside. Addressing the
cure in courteous and graceful panner,
he apologized for his unreasonable visit,
which, as he said, the high reputation Of
nousieur had Induced him to make.
"A great and terrible, but necessary
and inevitable deed" he continued. sis to
be done. Time presses; soul about TO
pass iato eternity implores your ministry.
If you come you must allow your eyes to
or bandaged. ask no questions and con
sent to act slrnply as spiritual CONSIDER OF
dying woman. If you reuse to accom
pany me, no other priest can be admitted
and her spirit must pass alone .
After aoment of secret prayer, the
cure answered, Il will 90 with you. -
without asking any further explanation,
he allowed his eyes to be bandaged, and
leaned on the arm of his suspicious visitor
They both got into a coach, whose WIN
dows were immediately ly covered by wood
en- shutters, and then they drove off rap.
idly. They seemed to 60 long way,
and made many doubiugs and turDiugs
ere the coach drove under wide arch.
way aud stopped.
During this time not single word had
been exchanged between the travellers,
and ere they got out the stranger assured
himself that the bandage over his com
panions eyes had not been displaced. and
then taking the old man respectfully by
the hand, he assisted HIN to alight and
to ascend the wide steps Of a staircase rs
far as the second story. A great door
opened as if of itself, and several thlckly.
carpeted rooms were traversed IN silence
At length another door was opened BY
the guide, and the cure felt his bandage
removed. They were in solemn, blocking
bed chamber; near bed, half veiled by
thick damask curtains, was small table.
supporting two wax lights, waich feebly
Illuminated the cold, death like apart,
ment. The stranger Che was the Duke
de y then bowling to the cure, led
him toward the bed, drew back the cur
tains, and said, in solemn tone
minister of God, before you is a wo-
man who has betrayed the blood of her
ancestors, aud whose doom is irrevocably
fixed. She knows on what conditions an
interview with you has been granted her;
she knows to that all supplicalion would
be useless. You know your duty, M. le
Cure; leave you to fulfill It, aud will
return to seek you in half an hour"
So saying he departed, and the agitated
prizes. saw lying Oh bed young and
beautiful girl, bathed in tears. battling
with despair, and calling in her bitter az
ouy for the comforts of religion. No in
vestigation possible :! for the unhappy
creature declared herself bound BY ter.
rible oath TO conceal her name; besides
she knew not in what place she was