Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-08-11
A NEGRO PRIEST.
a TRUE STORY.

were Catholics. Consequently he sent him
to France to prepare for holy orders After
spending several years in the seminaries,
having completed his studies the young
man came to Charleston, and the Bishop
ordained him, gave him facilities, and sent
him on the mission among his brethren,
but strange to say they received him very
coldly, and in fact gave him to understand
that they did not want him-that they
preferred white shepherds. This greatly
discouraged him, but he labored earnestly
for time, till, finding he could do no
good, he resolved to leave them and go to
Europe where he could be better received.
Accordingly, he started for New York, to
take passage for France. Arriving early
on Saturday morning, he concluded to say
mass, as usual. st. Peters being the near
est church, he directed his steps thither
DR.. P-s, who was the pastor, was ma
tive of Cork, like our friend. Having come
to the pastoral residence, our friend ascend
ed the steps, rang the bell, and inquired
for the pastor.
The servant informed him that the pastor
was at breakfast, and, pointing to the base
ment, said, eff you wish to see the Doctor,
go down there"
Having closed the hall door, the servant
ran down to the Doctor, and told him that
a every consaty- looking nagur man" was
coming down to see him on important busi-
ness.
''Tell him to come in here" said the
Doctor.
When our friend entered the room, the
Doctor England, without rising from the
table, bowed politely to the man, and said,
with rich Cork ascent; 'Good morning,
sir" .r
"Good morning, kindly" replied our
friend, with just as rich a brogue.
The Doctor, surprised as the accent,
looked carefully at the man, and said to
him very inquiringly, "What countryman
are you, sir"
II am an Irishman, SIR"
s'An. Irishman?" said the Doctor, still
more surprised.
eyes, sir; an Irishman.
''Then what part of Ireland are you
from?" - s
I'm from Cork, sir
ssWere you born there?" said the Doctor,
perfectly astonished. s 7 .- la
FI was, sir, replied our friend,
s'What is your occupation?" said the Doc
tor. r .-r -.s
II have the honor of being clergy man
priest.
''A priest?" said the Doctor.
eyes, sir, was the answer.
s'Who, in the name of God, tell Inc, or
dained your
Bishop England, sir," said our friend
This was too much for the Doctor, SO he
called. the servant to show the man the
door. A black priest WAS, in his opinion,
bad enough, but he thought it was carrying
the Joke too far for the man to try to pass
for Cork man and a priest, ordained by
Bishop England, SO he motioned toward
the door and said 'sClear off; you are an
impostor.
stAllow me to show you my credentials, :"
replied our friend, proceeding to unlock
his valise. So having produced the docu-
ments together with letters of recon-
mendation and his e9ent from Bishop Eng
land, he was allowed to sit down and ex-
plain matters.
Even the Doctor was not altogether con-
vinced till he had dquestioned him in Latin,
and on certain theological points. Hav-
ing received correct answers, in classical
Latin, to his questions, he excused him
self for his incredibly; s'but" saith he,
I'm afraid to allow you to say mass IN the
church; these New Workers are very unru-
" eople, and I am afraid they would do
some damage to you, as they are not at all
friendly to the nagurs Il mean the black
men. However, I have no objections to
allow you to say mass privately in the base
ment of the church or IN the house here,
If you choose. @
Our friend seeing the prejudices that
existed. and having had experience among
men of his own color, thought his best
policy would be to keep ''dark," so he
thanked the Doctor for the privilege, and
proceeded very quietly to the chapel in
the basement, the Doctor having told him
that he would send over couple Of boys
to serve his mass.
When our friend had left, the Doctor
called the servant, and told her to send for
boys to serve that mans mass,
s'What p exclaimed the girl, sis that ma
CUR priest?"
. eyes, indeed, he is" said the Doctor;
she showed me his papers, and question
ed him. He's all right"
ssAh, now, Doctor, sure you are only
joking. Sure he's as black as the old boy
himself.
81 know that" said the Doctor, "but
he's really priest, for examined him
eOh, glory be to Godl wonders will new
er cease. Well, well, what won't you see
him, Doctor"
Il did, and he speaks Latin very correct
ly."
ssThank God for they say that the
devil can't speak Latin, so he's not devil
anyhow. But did you look at his feet ? OF
did you try him with the holy water, Doc.
tor, jewell" --.....-. .....-
s'No, but it's all right, hurry off and dc
as told you.
So off she went on her message to the
altar boys. After allowing the man o suf-
ficient time to rest and get on the altar,
her curiosity was so excited she resolved
to hear his mass. She heard the poor man
saying mass devoutly, and in zones as sweet
and correct as any priest she had heard IN
the could dart" She did not pray much,
however. for she kept her eyes, mouth and
ears oyen till the very end Ofthe mass, and
then fastened back to the house to prepare
his breakfast for him, which she did most
willingly, after hearing him say mass.
1t is stated that this priest is still living
in France, where he found warm welcome.
Philadelphia Catholic Standard
FEW WEEKS since, the Empress Eugenis
(who is fond of trying all sorts of expert
ments on her health which she thinks is
wretched)sent for DIR. Charge a homoeo-
pathic physician of some eminence. He
came. The Empress explained what she
wished, and added ''But to avoid giving
offense to my attending physician, you
would oblige me if you would consent to
visit me by the petty staircase" DR.. Charge
replied: 81 cannot except this condition
not that 1 myself care, but I cannot accept
it for the sake of the school to which l be-
long. will come openly by the state stair
case or must decline the honor of attend
ing your Majesty" The Empress refused
to accept the conditions and he withdrew.
Count de.Chateauvillard (recently deceas-
ed) was one of Frances most eccentric no
tables. On Que occasion he was asked by
friend. MarquiSe, to see her to her car
riage. They We're at ball. Going down
stairs somebody trod on hlr dress and tore
it. She asked for pin. The Count took
from his scarf q diamond pin worth $500
and gave it to her. She declined, saying,
seOh, Count, it is entirely too valuable q
sIs that the only objection to the pin?'
Certainly" This word had scarcely been
uttered when he broke off the diamond,