The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-08-15

B
sThis description "a fass 1ssllo Button, taken
from the britannia, appears to be written by
one Of his quondam friends, who, though likely
not "a Catholic, knows how to admire the de-
voted priest as well as the gallant guardsman.
We think the lesson which Father Dutton gave
to the impolite servant could sbes taken by all
who forget the respect due to the priestly char
acter, however threadbare the coat may be: Ii
Father Dntton had said Low Mass, for his
little congregation, and lras in the sacristy
taking off his robes. The simple ritual of the
Roman Catholic Church was over for tho day /;
but the work of the good priest had only just
begun. The Father had his visiting to do, his
sick to comfort, and his poor to relieve. Men
about-town would have smiled to have seen
INN marching out of the chapel in his thread
bare coat and his napless beaver, for they
would have remembered the days when the
worthy eccleSiastic was giyer of wines" at
Oxford-and Ga little later2 a leader of cavalry
charges in the Crmea. They would have re-
membered the time when his back had donned
coat built by Poole, instead of a cassock
made out of worn-out serge-had shown u
helmet on his head in lieu of q tonsure. His
admission to the Roman Church had been u
. nine days wonder" and many had been the
prophecies that Dick Dutton would soon get
" bored !" with the priesthood, and give the
whole thing up" Somehow or other, Dick did
nothing of the sort, and really, If the truth
must be told, had effected more good as a
Roman Catholic mipister than he possibly
could have achieved by spending his mornings
| in the Row, and his evenings behind the scenes
at the Opera. This fact may give great scan
dial to reyy good Protsstants, but then Gortu-
nately for the world, to say nothing of the
flesh, and the -hem-well, never niind) not all
Fretestants are very good, ana these last VIII
take a lenient view of the matter. Father
button had crept, or rather marched, into
popularity. 1t is trae he had met with some
opposition at first from the shining lights of
the village publio-house, who supported the
National Church of England by avoiding
church, getting very DRINK, and stoning " the
papist." Unhappily for the aforesaid shining
lights, there was more of the dragon than the
demonstrations, and he consequently acknow-
lodged them by soundly thrashing every soul,
or rather body, concerned in the celebration of
the latter part of the ceremony. The vicar of
the parish, who happened to be muscular
Christian and an excellent man, was much
struck by this display of pluck" and imme-
fran friendship quickly followed. The TIVE
clergymen "agreed to differ" upon theological
matters but on all other subjects were Won
derfnlly unanimous. Having once gained the
goodwill of the rector, the esteem of the
parishioners followed as matter of course
ASH have said before, Father button was
preparing to leave the chapel his road to
visit his sick. He had donned his threadbare
coat, and was taking up his old umbrella, when
young man, with light downy whiskers aud
turn-upSn nose, appeared at the door of the
and waisteoat and pair of dark blue trousers,
looked III aud said in rude manner, F" l say,
are you the Romish priest ~
Father button, who seemed rather sur
prised, turned round, stared at the intruder,
and answered leisnreiy, '''Iesi what do you
want with me 7"
'Why, Mr.. Lees, the surgeon, says there's a
woman lying at bis house dying, who belongs
to you Papists. She's calling for a priest, ~and
you to Gomez
"Certainly,p said the Father calmly. The
young man moved away, but was soon stopped
by commanding voice saving - Here. my
good fellow, / want to say few words to YOU"
The ''good fellow looked extremely sur
prised, and gave a long low whistle.
How dare you make that noise in my pres
ence, sir 7" This was said sharply, and reduced
the Young fellow to a respectful silence. Dut-
ton continued, IL don't want to gnt you into
trouble, my good man, but the next time you
bring me message from your master, be care
full to be little more respectful. Do you hear
what / say Y' -f
YES sir" said the man, touching his hat.
every well. Now yon may 60"