Smyrna times., 1867-01-23
NJ l S G ELLA NEOUS.
THE MENDICANT.

At one Of the principal gates Of loro,
church In Paris, an old beggar was for mas, log,
years remarked. He was punctuaI in +aL;n.
MS ually seat on the threshold of the de-
MS tone, ms manners, his language cove o,,
1ence OF an education above his class bo NO.
~ us tattered garments with dignity and amono
the poor who surrounded him he had omt I-roa,
authorlty; Being always kind, imnartial IN
Tue dlStrIoutlon OF the gifts of the cbaritabln
ever ready to settle their pretty quarreIs, Pier
II, H,'n as Iney ca1Ieo MIN, was generally beloved
no"efeT the history OF his life and misfortunes
Was Was 10 them mystery. One fact alone the
all knew: he had never entered the church A.
ring divine service. When the solemn Chant-
lhg' accompanied by the sonorous organ ro-
sounded throughout the dome, and the inconSo
rising above the altar assembled 10 heaven w; ~
tne prayers OF the faithful, Pierre felt secret
pleasure, and with an eager look contemnlateJ
rom without the picture which the bonse of
GOd presented. The dazzling reflection oftbo
nsnt through the painted windows-the an
cleht u piliars, monuments Of past centur;es-
tie solemn charm attached to the sombre as.
PEI VI !nc place, all struck him with awe and
his wrinkled cheeks, and some deem remorle nlUue
OF great calamity appeared to apitate him
AN eccieslastlc repaired every morning 70 +bo
cnurcn 70 say mass. He was a descendant of
ons VI the most ancient families of France
auu posSesSer OF immense wealth. His bann;
ness was In giving literally to the moor and
Win MN our mendicant became an object of
some anectlon, as with kind words he tender.
eu MS DONATION every morning
One "a gay Pierre was absent from his usual
Seat Inc AD6e, anxious to relieve him,
sought TX his dwelling. He found him IN in bed
nodI INC appearance of the priest revived the
q 70,
ttude, he, said All, MonsieurI Abbee son Sor
like me !'' ll'''f iie a wretch
c. My friend, replied the visitor, CT only
nolget tne happy. ! come to know your wants,
and to relieve them "A'0'
no longer want anything" renlied tbo
SIna SInerer. Death is near-my conscience
,n,, Alas, Alas. your consciencel Have you then
any great SIN to atone for"
a crlme-a horrible crime, for which INV
whole life of misery cannot atone A crime
without mercy
A crime beyond mercy? There is none
such; Mercy divine is infinite
but & criminal polluted by the worst of
crimes Oh, no! there is no mercy for me-"
:, !here is exclaimed the priest with en-
tn9slasm; Doubt not. To doubt is in itself
SIN. Have faith and repent. If vonr re-
pentance be sincere, implore the mercy of Hea-
ven, and you will not be forsaken." :" The nriest
tnen In seated himself to hear the confession of
!ne oylng man, which was made in the follow |
Son OF a poor farmer, honored by the no. |
tice on a noble family of high distinction. nm.
qer Wnom my father rented few acres ofland. |
was IN my infancy taken to the chateau. and |
destined to be valet to the noble heir From
the rapid progress made in my different stu
dies, and the kindness of my master. a change
soon took place in my situation. 7 became
secretary. was just fve-and twenty when
the revolution commenced. NV mind was
easily led away by the publications of the dav
and my ambition made me wish to distinguish |
myself in the army. | resolved to quit the
chateau, the asylum of my youth, my benefac
tors, my friends and relations Had | been
true to my first impulse, ingratitude alone had
been my sin, not crime. Revolutionary fury
soon spread through the provinces. My pro-
tectors feared being arrested in their chateau.
and dismissed all their attendants. In haste
they realized portion of their wealth, and ia.
KING from their costly furniture only few ar
n5lcles, as family relics, we took the road to
farls, there to seek among the multitude an
obscure abode. Terror reigned in all its pow
er' but no one knew the secret of their retreat.
inscribed on the list of emigrants, confscation
soon soon aevoured their rich estates This, how
ever @ :they little cared for. United in affection
pru fnu innocence, their lively faith in Divine
4 Tbo TIbtO'uenGe aaG Dade them hope for happier days
! Inc ,IN only being who could betray them, snatch
tnem from peaceful abode, was base enough
10 40 SO. Uniformed against them.
oel a father, mother, four daughters-angels
t OF beauty, endowed with their innocence~anJ
inelr nta brother only ten years Of age were cast
,n.o a alsInal dungeon, there in the horrors Of