The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-20
4 .vExDox OF P1ous ARTICLES
FROM i PAINTERS NOTE BOOK.

important towns of Brittany. 1t had rained
over night, and the roads were very muuuy.
1t helped us little that the morning proke
in dazzling splendor over the forests, tne
made our way forward but slowly, in spite |
of the cracking of the whip and the fantas- |
tic oaths of the driver. At last the diligence
stood still, having gracefully co9rtesleo
itself into ditch near desolate hlil0ck. |
The lash and oaths were alike In VAIN: Inc
horses refused to move from the spot, and
when, at last, urged by repeated blows,
they made sudden jerk, two of the wheels
broke. The breaking down of diligence
in France is, in itself, too unimporta9t an
affair to be worthy of notice, were l not
indebted to this detention for q beautiful
relation of q sad history in real life.
I preferred seeking out the next village
to following the example of the remainder
of the passengers, and staying to make
useless efforts and proffer unskllled assist
ance. took my cane and sketch book out
of the coach, and walked briskly toward
the next little place, over the wretched
cottages of which arose the high towers
and tattlements of an old gray castle: The
cottages were poorer than had previously
uninhabited and dilapidated. The highway
passed through the courtyard.
1 passed through the half ruined porch
door. The upper portion of the castle was
almost entirely in ruins. Through the
broken window panes could see the heavy
cracked walls. The lower rooms between
the stable and the hall alone showed any
signs of human life, and those who had
sought shelter here were plainly very
poor. The space was divided into rooms
by means of board partitions. Threadbare
clothes were hanging to dry over the proud
coat of arms at the entrance; dilapidated
hat crowned the single half broken statue
| which vet remained, and children were
playing in the courtyard among swine and
cackling hens. Only on one side of the
castle, where a small door led to what had
once been a garden, did there seem to be
an attempt at neatness, for some plants
stood by the window, and carefully trained
ivy was creeping up the wall.
went through the Gothic doorway upon
a dilapidated gallery, from the parapet OF
which the eye took in the neglected garden
relieved only by stretch of woodland III
the distance.
At the end of the gallery, few steps
lower down, was small, airy, wooden
n shed, used as a tavern, as the table and
chairs before the door, as we'll as the sign
sufficiently indicated. resolved to remain
here while waiting for the diligence. sal
down at the table, and was soon slipping o
glass of miserable wine which the good
natured host had brought me. While
: the present desolation and the former mag
nificence\ of the castle, new picture pre-
sented itself. Two young girls, the noble
features of one of whom especially re
; marked, adstepped out of the door on the
gallery, and were le;tfiing over the parape
picturesque costume of the country, will
caps trimmed with lace, and neatly fifth,
bodices and dresses of different colors
i while the paleness, of their countenance
was set off by their, glossy black hair an,
their coral lips. They appeared to b.
waiting for some one.
f soon discovered pilgrim who was toll
: somely making his way over the stony hill
i toward the castle. A few moments later
4 he was standing before the two girls.
r perceived that the pilgrim, a member G
= some spiritual brotherhood, was blind. Th
). poor sightless friar was led by faithful
d dog, round whose neck a string was passed
If with the other end fastened to the pilgrim
l. crucifix His countenance and his tnel
IS cut features betrayed the nobility of hi
origin; but he was pale and sickly, an
seemed to be suffering. Around his nee
IN was suspended plous box, contalng wa
w image of the Virgin and Child. There ma
oS also have been a relic of some saint, Il Shire
w of clothing, or q handful OF holy earth f,
-, 70 the two rirls, who bowed their heads
iy pious simplicity, seemingly overawed l.
IT. the sacred relics before them. l was :
~ delighted with the scene, the effect
to which was heightened by the peculiar ligl
in reflected in the galleries, that immediate
he seized my brush to make the sketc NV VIM,
,ir ployed, the host stepped up and watch'
ty me curiously.
ny "Do YOU know whom you are sketchil
,rs there ?'' he asked. "That is our honor
is lord, the possessor of the old castle WIFI
oh you see before YOU"
NJ looked ut him in astonishment.
we eyes, it is sad history. 1t is ne
we twenty years ago. Our young lord used
nv spend few weeks here every year on 8
H. count of the curiosities, for the castle W
on, already almost nninha9itaoie; IL was h 81
90 He was good, kind master, and we W.
IT, always glad when he came. What was
liz, Tnnrd nyaninr