The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-05-10

0O0o01xMO0AxlO0 necessary W tn0lI CoUUO1CoOI6
housing; .hillsts WE'RE. sonssqnensays issssa
amongst tho farmers aud few gentry In the vi-
cinity of tho place, 20 ~ thst . red coat va to
be found in almost every second habitation;
connection, from the fact Of onr having been
honored by three officers Of the detschment,
who, adroitly and under the guise' Of friend
consequence Of somo of the best fshing and
shooting in tho county being in our immediate
neighborhood. Ny fsther was in NO position
5s .us to h; ss
ing, as he did, that no Protestant gentleman
could be subjected to such distpItefu1 treet-
ment, were he known to entertain friendly
sentiments toward the government However,
determined to make the best of the case, he re-
ceived the three English hirelings with all the
grace he could cOmnhaaad; and, q, like himself,
things as pleasant as possible until some turn
of the wheel Of fortune should relieve him of
their presence.
Thus matters stood, when one evening to-
ward the close of long and sultry summers
day, during the year 80, poor hiar, miserably
mounted, and the usual wallets thrown across
the loins of his animal arrived at our gate, ap.
parently weary and worn from the length Of
his journey. Dismounting, with some slight
difficulty, he threw the reins to Barney, our
sturdy servant-boy, who received them respect
to give him mouthful of hay, while the
stranger slowly wendell his way toward the
rear Of the house, and entering the kitchen, af-
Tor Gn6 u6tl8l "CiO0 save 8n nOEo,f sank l6Lty
into a chair that was handed him with alacrity
by Bridget. the housemaid. who happened to
he the only individual in the building at the,
time, and who, on learning that he was both
bowl Of cold now nailk from the dairy, some
sweet fresh butter, and . slice or two of bread
white as o hound's tooth. In height the
emily person of great physical strength; in
age he might be approaching the middle period
Of life; though time had not yet farroxed his
foot the corners u lis large, DARK, luminous
eyes his hair was yet as black rs the wing Of
tho raven, and his teeth of dazzling whiteness.
;na ' and iS noe eii by ppy means With
the long coarse gown which enve!oPed him TO
his feet, and was fastened round his waist by q
small neatly-twisted rope Of hay After having vng
before him, and having by NO means done jus.
tice to the appetite that he feigned, he entered
into conversation with Bridget. and learned all
upon the house, who had not yet returned from
the days fishing excursion, as we'll as heard
from her that both father, sister and mother
had driven to the village that afternoon, but
were expected back every moment as they had
deferred dinner that day until seven O'Clock
the time at which their English guests were
expected to return from their sport.
So you say" he observed, continuing his
conversation with the girl, as Barney returned
from the stable and Joined them in the kitchen,
"that this part of the country is swarnfing
have all but forcibly taken possession of the
house." o.
"Yes, indeed, your reverence" said Barney,
slipping in his conversation sideways, and
worse than that, the red-coats, under the plea
of hunting up pixies and rebels, as they call
them, are ransacking, plundering and burning
all before them, and the fear now Is, that this
the master is suspected and that just amounts
to leaving him without house or home"
On hearing this intelligence the friar fell in
oh, he noof1
sound of carriage wheels; and the next moment
my father, mother, and sister were at the hall
door; :. my father entering the kitchen on learn
ing from me the arrival of the stranger. He
greeted the friar cordially, taking him by the
hand and insisting on his joining my mother
and sister in the parlor, who were waiting the
return of the officers before dinner was served
After some conversation, in which Father
Bernard, he termed himself, displayed n
thorough knowledge of the condition of the
country and of its hopes and prospects, the
noise of bOisterous laughter announced that
the expected guests were already in the hall;
and the next minute or so three gentlemen,
sans ceremORie, and with but little politeness,
staggered into the room.
My father, with his usual good breeding and
good nature arose to meet his guests and in
troduce the friar; but the former, regarding
this latter as liberty ON hispart not warranted
in any degree, took no notice whatever of his
intention, and abruptly left the apartment to
prepare for dinner, which was now about to be
served. A shade passed oven the countenance
of the friar as my father, flushed and mortified,
stalnmered out some apology for the rudeness
of his guests and my mother and sister abso-
lutely hung their heads for very shame at the
awkwardness of the dilemma in which they
were all placed.
"Rely upon it, Father Bernard" said my
father, when the intruders had left the apart
ment, " should resent this dire offense to both
you and my family, but affairs now stand, l
cannot call the huuse that shelters me my own
nor is my life, OF that of my family. safe from
1ntr fn fhs.r ITtnfp a. II q
Captain Rock and his men are now among the
mountains, and have been suspected ct even
harboring him here, although pledge you my
With HIM o, an. vf i,is parry ,.o.,> outstanding
I am sorcly tempted and wish them good speed.
I Tins is the reason. Non will perceive, Why we
are now SO prosecuted aud embarrassed, and