The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-06-07

THE FEET OF THEN THAI BRING GLAD
LEANS, SUNDAY M0RAMG, Jg
two hearts that stood in the relatiSn of ausS4in,
: and wife; for, believe me, loved my kusban,
as dearly as You do yours. wei one day
about six months after Opr - he wa
{; driving me out, andson onf return homeli
being the eve of Corpus Christi, and desired
to go to holy communion--I actually summoned
mp the courage to ask him to let me out at the
church door. Indeed, had long felt that
sooner or later, there must be an end to this
tacit deception; and that he must either con.
clude to accept me, principles and all, as was
or give me up altogether. There was eight
driving me to the church. When however,
alighted, and he took my hand to assist me up
the steps, felt that his was very cold and
trembled visibly and knew that the turning
human OF divine love, earthly bliss eternal
| woe, lay before me-and prayed to our Blessed
I Lord to stand by me in the conflict, and direct
me in the right way. When we reached the
| top of the steps, and 1 stood upon the threshold
of the vestibule, Mr.. Field, still holding my
hand, and now looking earnestly into my face,
broke the silence by saying:
"Ten me, Ella, for what purpose you come
here at this hour, for 1 see no evidence Of SER
| vice."
"'I come" calmly though tremulously re-
piled, to go to confession, by way of prepare
ton for my communion Tomorrow No words,
my husbands face as said this. He clutched
my hand until I almost cried out with pain,
and said, in suppressed tone Of voice, which
denoted the extreme of agitation
"s Never, never! had no idea that you were
so benighted-so priest-ridden-as to practice
this devilish device for the ruin of all that is
Hero broke in: you have said enough,
Howard this hour must prove the culminating
moment of our two lives. 1t is not q time for
argument-that is Past-but for action. When
you let 60 of my hand it will be either with
your full and free consent to allow me- the I'M
moiested practice OF my religious duties, or it
VIII be to bid farewell to me as your wife for
how 1nftexible l am when my mind is once
madeu And it were better for lis to part now,
s Essa Love and happy memories yet fill Sur
feelings that must inevitably grow out of this
persecution on your part, and the rebellion on
in his every feature his eyes were still fixed on
my face mine were averted and prayed as
l never prayed before-prayed that might
keep my God, aye, and my husband, too
lived an eternity in those moments But my
prayer was heard; love and generosity tri-
IMPLIED His pressure upon my hand relaxed,
and he said, i'll Il low Subdued tone:
"' BE it So Ella. / cannot give You nm: so,
have your own way. Henceforth, our road to
heaven must be by different paths; had fondiy
hoped that they wonld be the same
"s And 80 they will,'' l replied, as well as /
could, for my tears; God will reward you,
love, for this hour of self-sacrifice. Have no
fears for me; shalt return home safe from
dungeon, rack, and thumb-screw, and be all
the better for this act; laughingly saying which,
kissed my hand to him, and entered the
church. Unfortunately, it happened that there
were many waiting around the confessionals;
so, when my turn came, it had grown quite ,
late, and was nearly dark when reached home.
met MIR. Field, pacing rapidly up and down (
the pavement, and pulling hard at his eye t
wonted anxiety or agitation. But my presence
and cheerfulneSs soon reassllred him. And, II
though serious, he was too manly to vent any-1
thing like spleen upon me. OF course, took {
an opportunity, before the evening closed, of =
giving him history of the CONFESSIONAL en-
forcing my argument with Scripture and tho !
custom of the early Church. He listened {
yravely, but when had finished said:
Now, Ella, am going to ask you ques- d
ion, and you ust-answer me truthfully.'" n
g" If I answer you at all, you know, Howard, \
hat it will be thus.p 6
"' Forgive me- he said, for this implied in :
Justice. But Ihave heard so many strange \
Kings tonight, that really don't know what n
believe, or what doubt. But in your account q
# confession, observe that YOU have made no
MENTION of the terrible penances that are within
he arbitrary power of the priest to infiict. Il
Vow, tell me, Ella, whether has he enjoined ON u
-ou to swallow a modcum of ground glass, !,
bounded nails, or, still worse, required You to y
inch or otherwise torment your delicate
eshs* "
received this question with such a look of s
mazement and burst of laughter, that he at t
nee saw the absurdity and falsehood of the
barge; and when explained to him that my e
enance was simply the repetition of the Lords t.
rayer and an aims for the poor, he expressed r
imsef quite satisfied with the termination of :,
ny fiery ordeal, and was convinced that either =
ny purity nor honor was endangered thereby" y
"Oh, what could not give" exclaimed Kate, a
for your courage and independence! But, A
Ven if possessed it, it would be useless III my C
sse.' il
=" Don't think act upon that suppositien, d
lrs Stewart. Every man admires and respects 81
is wife all the for maintaining the indie l,
cndcnce of her conscientious principles, even =
hough he may, for time thereafter, continue
o oppose them" y