The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-06

c0DlDct ut NlOTt, tI Olu Ddlu-uCuUOu ihftu
was led before him, supported upon stick,
his shoes covered with dust, and wearing
the gown of n priest sadly worse for the
wear. The old man approached and SAID
"Citizen representant, you have made
known at st. Agathy that twenty thousand
yer up the head of the pastor of that vii
lage. am ready to earn that price,"
Much asthe representative was acquaint-
ed with the baseness of men, he was yet as
tonislled ut such n proposition from a man
who was himself evidently SO near his own
end.
"Priest," said he, thou makest me a
proposition, which, for man of thy age
and profession, must fill me with astonish-
ment.'
"Not so much as you think Do you &C
cept my offerq"
"Who art thou, that thou wilt sell the
life of thy fellow priest 2"
"What has that to do with the matter, if
1 only keep my word ask you again, do
you accept my offer Z"
-"I ACCENT It. hut NAV the blood shed fall
BE it SO. You will pay me the sum
"Thou shalt have it."
"Can you not add something to it 2"
"Thou old miser, dost thou not find thy
self well enough paid for thy baseness 2"
well, well, we will let it stand at twenty
thousand francs. / have one thing still to
the money as 1 wisll."
''As soon as thou hast received thy re-
ward it is thy property, and thou canst do
with it what thou wilt"
Is know that but l have my reasons for
being particular on this point.'
"Little as see thy reasons, I give thee
my word of honor that no difficulties shall
be raised that would affect thee in laying
out the money"
"That is enough. 1 am myself the pastor
of ST. Agathy, and deliver myself into thy
hands. Give me now the money ]"
" You are ~ exclaimed, in surprise, the
representative.
am" answered the old man, calmly.
What do you wish to do with this
money? And do you know the punishment
that awaits you ~
" know all that, and your threats are
missed sum, and be brought once more to
my parishioners of St. Agathy."
"What do you wish to do there p
"You will learn that. have performed
my promise; now fulfill yours"
" 1t shall be DONE"
The representative ordered twenty thou
sand francs, in assignats, to be paid over to
the old man, who, after putting them in his
pocket, repeated his wish to be brought
once more to the ruins of his desolated
parish.
The inhabitants of ST.. Agathy had been
hiiSu WIFI tHc SFeaIeSU uncdSlucSS Ill tuc
sudden disappearance of their pastor.
AS they went t" call him one morning to
prayer, they found the hut empty which
they had built in haste for him, and they
had sought him everywhere in vain, till
finally they saw him coming in a wagon,
escorted by soldiers. Old and young rushed
to meet him, lifted him from the wagon,
surrounded him, and kissed his hands and
the hem of his gown. After the first >salu-
tations were over, he addressed them as
follows:
Z" You have been disconnected with me.
my dear children, and have thought 1 had
left you without a farewell and without
thanks; but it is not so. Friends who have
lived together in JOY and sorrow fifty years
do not part thus. | had some business to do
agree to my journey there, went without
your knowledge. My business is now ar
ranged according to my wish, and l come
back to speak a word Of confidence with
you. To save the life of weak old man
you have sacrificed all that you possessed.
and bring you, therefore, the means to re-
pair the loss. In this pocket book are
twenty thousand francs, which you can
share among you in proportion to the loss
you have suffered. Ask not how have re-
cclved this money that is a secret which
will hereafter be known. l must return
with the men who have brought me here
but we shall certainly see each other again,
sooner or later. When, l cannot exactly
say. Until that time remain as you have
ever been, Industrious, honest, and pious,
and at peace with each other, as becomes
good children. Love one another brotherly,
live in the fear of the Lord and forget not
your old pastor, whom you will all see
again where there is peace and rest, undis-
turDed by the storms of life. kneel down,
my children, that may give you my bless
ing"
AT these words all fell upon their knees,
even the hard-hearted soldiers themselves.
The old man raised his eyes toward heaven,
claspcd his hands upon his breast, and
called down the blessing of the Almighty,
both upon his friends and his enemies.
After closing his prayers he turned and
said to the soldiers that formed his escort
Gentlemen, am now at your service"