The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-06
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER s 186


. dnu OF course my W6ruB weHICn WIZ III
8 engulfed in the great whirlpool of ruin.
, A strange suspicion clouded my hear
l and, with an intuition of the truth, fe
that could single out the demon who ha
spread destruction in this home.
But, with the suavity of deceit, he subtl
turned aside the tide of censure so justl
his due, and the world even forgave hil
for the duel, for strange travestied storie
fioated through the city. Who gave then
to the publicf I felt, 1 knew that Henri
Elsdon had only added to the infamy which
weighed upon his soul but as yet the aven
ger had not struck, the race of hell had no
been accomplished!
1t vast the exciting winter of '60-Decem
self from her sisters, and Washington wa.
in ferment. Crowds congregated at the
hotels to watch the opening of a season
fraught with destiny. Men with reckless
evil passions increased the excitement; fol
cognac burned and whisky Infatuated, and
sumed by the one madness-mutual hate
1t was the evening OF the 9th of Deem
Der: The telegraph had spread the news
of Anderson's evacuation of Fort Moultrie,
ard the agitation was eliminating in effort.
There is a season when enthusiasm pulses
till the wild madness .intoxicates all feel
ing; then some sudden crowdiDg on OF
events drives the fierce current into action,
and the mighty mass heaves and surges
with one will, one heart, for the conflict
and SO it was tonight. stood on the cor
ner of Pennsylvania avenue and Seventh
street watching the changing faces which
the gas lamp flared upon, when a woman's
voice, in wild terror, startled me. ain
the name of the cross, forbear! !" she cried !;
and l turned to see a face pale with fear
and horror. In an instant l was beside
her !; she held the cross of her rosary to-
ward the man who had dared, not only to
insult a woman, but one of Gods minister
ing angels-those pure spirits of comfort,
the Sisters of Mercy.
1 struck the brute from her, but not with
out recognizing the features, even though
inflamed and distorted by liquor. She
almost tainted in my arms, but placed her
in my sisters carriage, then just passing,
and ordered it to drive to the address
which she gave.
What there was in the tones of that
woman's voice 1 could not explain to my
self, but a sad chord vibrated till the echoes
walked in my heart feelings that l thought
were sleeping quietly in jealousy guarded
grave of the past.
Four years had gone by since that night,
and the war that shook this continent had
closed; ended were the years that had
brought their holocaust, the proof of the
field of honor.
Grants triumphant legions garrisoned
the Confederate capital, and l was ap-
pointed surgeon in charge of - Hospital,
where the sick and wounded of both armies
were tended by the Sisters of Mercy.
The intense heat of those early summer
days l can never forget, and the poor fell
lows in blue and gray tossed from side to
side on the narrow cots in the fever wards.
1t was my night in - Hospital, for l was
appointed to relieve DR.. -, and l OBJ
served q "Sister" bending over Il patient
whose white face and faint voice told me
that his hours were numbered.
"Sister Mary" said the feeble tones,
" will you battle my temples they burn
and throb as ficrcely as my own heart.
Sister, can vile wretch ask you to stand
near when he is dying7 Sister, you who
are pure and holy, tell me if God will par
don me "
Gle came to save sinners :" heard the
low voice whisper; and she smoothed back
the tangled masses of dark, waving hair,
and tenderly soothed the poor fevered
brow, on which the dews of death were
me hold your hand while l listen to your
voice, that recalls one i'll the long ago. o
q cd ! look down in mercy ~
And she whispered sweet words of com
fort that calmcd the unrest of sin and
shame.
Sister, if could give all the years that
l have wasted, if | would toll and struggle
and pray for pardon, would Christ have
mercy upon one whose years are heavily
with sin ~
"Repent, and ye shall be saved"
All, God! / do repent, and if a thou
sand years of suffering could atone for all,
L would not shrink from a single pang.
Sister," and lie turned and held her hand
closer, and gazed long and anxiously into
her half-averted face" "My God can it |
~ But she turned further into the
twilight, and her face was almost |
hidden Sister,, must tell you, because
there is something in your tone and look,
Der back to me; SO be patient for little |
while, and do not leave me yet. In the |
long ago loved, and she whom worshiped
gave me no return. l think that cir
might have moulded her differ
emily, though my selfish passions taught