The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-05-31

THE CHEvALIER OF ST. LOUIS AND HIS
SERvANT.-An old chevalier of st. Louis,
who was reduced to state of extreme pow
erty, took up his abode in Paris, as the
place where he could best conceal his desti-
tute condition from the eyes of all. A sim
gle straw mattress was the whole furniture
of the miserable garnet in which he lived |;
his dress consisted only of the tattered re-
mains of his old uniform and friends or
companions he had none, save one faithful
servant, who had lived with him for many
years. At last, with tears in his eyes, he
said to this attached domestic, You see
the state to which 1 am reduced you have
shared my sorrows too long. Adversely is
my portion it is best that you should leave
me now and forever. My greatest regret is
my entire inability to repay your services"
MY beloved MASTER" replied the man,
throwing himself at the feet of the veteran,
I" can you imagine that could ever be base
enough to desert you In your misfortunes,
when in happier times I profted so much
by your kindness No, will never leave
you and be assured my solicitude for you
vii! suggest to me some way by which 1
shall be able to support both you and my
self" 1t is impossible to describe the emo
ton which filled the breast of the old SOL
der at this touching proof of his disinter-
ested affection. He warmly embraced his
faithful servant, and said, Heaven, then,
has some happiness and comfort in store for
Aao' Way WOu fcWaTO your generous OeVO-
tlon." Urged by the hope of providing for
his patron, the servant used every means
that ingenuity and affection could devise
to obtain money; not unfrequently he re-
ceived assistance from different public
charities, and was never so happy as when
his days earnings enabled him to purchase
a small quantity of wine for his old master.
" Thank God" he would say, 1--WE have
been prosperous to-day" And then he
would endeavor to cheer the old mans
dropping spirits by relating anything in
in the course of his wanderings.
- But one unlucky day, this worthy man,
who had for sometime attracted the atten-
ton OF the police, was arrested. His appa-
rent activity and vigor deceived them and
they looked upon him as an idle beggar,
who, in all probability, was living an idle
and disorderly life at the expense of the
public. He was taken before magistrate
and examined but having nothing to con-
ceal, he answered every question frankly,
and then begged the magistrate, as par
ticular favor, to hear his statement in pri-
vate. The judge, who was favorably |
impressed by the mans manner, consented |
and the servant thus addressed him: "
leel sure, my lord, you will grant me your
protection when you learn the motives of
my conduct" He then detailed all that had
passed between himself and his master, and
the magistrate, who was deeply touched by
his story, sent an officer to examine into
the truth of his statement. The officer
found the old warrior stretched upon n be- of
straw, i'll the greatest poverty, and returned
1t once to the magistrate to relate what he
lad seen. The judge lost no time in men
Ioning his case to the king, who granted Il +
pension both to the chevalier and to his
aithful servant.