Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-05-16

tanning HUMAN WILD BRAsT.-It |
was In one of the most wretched quar- |
tiers of Paris that priest went TO visit |
a rag-woman who was dangerously Ill. |
She was lyiug on straw so damp that 1t |
was fit only for the dunghill. The visi- !
tor had reached the landing place, and !
was rejecting how he might best minis
ter to the poor wOman's wants, when be
heard the cry OF another female from
the end Of a dark corridor, eXclaiming,
"Help, murder m He ran toward the
spot, and pushing open door saw two
children crying. Extended on the floor
lay the unfortunate woman, while tall
man with a sinister Countenance, and
clad only in q pair OF pantalOous and a
ragged shirt, stood over her, kicking
her. Her face was already black and
blue from his violence. The priest sprang
toward the man aud said Wretch,
what are you about? viii you not de-
sist?" lie did desist but it was to attack
! the speaker He seized him suddenly
| by the breast, thrust two fingers under
| his cassock, and then, without uttering
a word lifted him as if he had been al
infant, and carried him to an open win
| uOW LNIt At ADEA ny LOlA MN yhtt'
| he would not have priests intermeddlng
with his affairs, and disturbing the
peace Of his household, and that he in
tended to pitch him out forthwith. In
fact. he was preparing to put the threat
into execution, but as if Wishing TO glOat
over his victim, he continued to glare at
| him with the eyes Of the tiger, holding
him all the while as with an arm Of
steel
The priest was alarmed, but God
enabled him not to betray it. He re-
garded his antagonist calmly and said,
almost with smile, gently, my friend,
you are much too hasty. DO you really
meat to throw me out Of the window
Is that the most pressing business on
hand? You who are always talking
about fraternity and charity; DO you
know what was taking place while you
were beating your wife Another Wo-
man was dying on dung-heap in your
house. Now let US both see what we
can do in her behalf; for yOn are by no
means such q bad fellow as you wish TO
appear. I will pay for some clean straw
if YOU will 20 fetch 1t. Terror, COM
bined with with the desirelOf winning
over his assailant, made the priest e.o-
ouent and he had hardly ended his ap-
peal before the lion was tanned.
The mans COuntcnanCe rapidly
changed, and he relaxed his hold at
once then taking Off mis- shabby cap,
and placing 1t under his arm, he assum-
ed respectful attitude, like that of q
soldier in the presence of q superior Oil
Ger, and replied If you talk in that
STYLE, sir, the case is different. l have
always been humane, and will readily
help YOU to assist the poor woman, /
, will, in fact, do anything you please
! for it won't do to let 4 ieIIoW-creaturC
die in that plight" Thereupon the
l priest gave him the money, and ne Went
/ out TO purchase two bundles OF clean
| straw. In the meantime the women Of
. the neighOorhoOd, attracted by the al
, tercati0n, had rushed to the spot, auC
on seeing the priest, eXpostuIated with
him in these terms what are you
+ about Do you know where you are
t You are in the clutChee OF the worst
/ man in the quarter. He is SO outrageous
that even cut-thTOats are afraid Of him
" and he has often said that nothing
j. would give him more pleasure than Il
1 break mans neck, especially Il INA
1t man were priest
y These remon8trances were by nc
l. means encouraging but those who
v urged them little knew the power 0
= charity. The sturdy fellow soon re
" turned with the bundles on his shout
y der He was calm, and his counter
ance had become almost honest. o.
It entering the room where the poor wO
=. man lay, be took half bundle Of straw
~ and spread it on the floor. The mos
- touching part OF the scene followed. HI
> lifted the sufferer in his arms with TIT
4 tenderness Of q mother, placed her OF
9r the clean straw, then made her bed, anl
" finally laid her upon it, just as d moth
q er would her child. \ female wishet L
y, help him, but he pushed her aside, re
~ marking that he was well able to do
Il, humane act unassisted. The man was il
o. tears and the priest perceiyIng that b
D. wished to address him, retired toward
,r the window. But his new acquaiut
anCe could not utter d word emotion
IL choked him.
O0 The priest gave him his hand, and tn
Or stalwart workman squeezed it as in
s. vice. in token of his affection. "Wel
n done, my friend" said the priest, "wel
n done; quite understand you. I kney
full well that you were not as bad as 20
wanted to make me believe. knewyo
o. were capable Of doing a good action,
- "You have done it all" was the reply
II ''}Our men could not master me, and ye
III you have overcome me with as man
of words. You must be true parson.
of The priest fastened to turn this IA
1T vorable opportunity to profit by plead
nd ing the cause Of the wife, aud reiOned
70 But my friend, you have done some
~ thing which is not becoming. You hay
al ill-used your wife, and a man does nc
zee marry q woman to beat her. have Il
he doubt she has her failings, and you ais
,lv have yours. You should bear W til on
cd another. Come, promise me that 70
w. will never strike her again"
~ At these words his face assume
Gu somewhat Of the former sullenness, an
re- dropping the priests hand, ht sal
/ ILL IT