Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-08-12
A NEGRO PRIEST.
A TRUE STORY.

Le btcdJue dc1ddiLtctt Will silh exceedingly
intelligent negro, an Irishman by BIRTH
After few interviews with the young man.
he conceived the idea of educating him for
the priesthood, believing he would be SER
viceable in that capacity amongst the neg
roes in South Carolina, many of whom
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
OF iained him, gave him facilities, and sent
him on the mission among his brethren,
but strange to say they received him very
coidly, 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 be 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 a ma
tive of Cork, like our friend. Having come
70 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 hail door, the servant
ran down to the Doctor, aud told him that
a every consst.- looking nagur man" was
coming dov 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 .he
table, bowed politely to the man, and said,
with rich Cork ascent; "Good morning,
sir"
"Good morning. kindly" replied our
friend, with Just as rich brogue.
The Doctor, surprised at the accent,
looked carefully at the man, and said to
him very inquiringly, "what countryman
are you, sir?"
81 am an Irishman, SIR"
can Irishman?" said the Doctor, still
more surprised.
eyes, sir; an Irishman."
''Then what part Of Ireland are you
from?"
I'm from Cork, SIR"
"Were you born there?" said the Doctor,
perfectly astonished.
81 was, sir, replied our friend,
"What is your occupation!" said the Doc
tor.
Il have the honor of being clergy man
priest.
"a priest?" said the Doctor.
''Yes, sir, was the answer.
"Who, in the name of God, tell me, or
dained your
''Bishop England, SIR" said our friend.
This was too much for the AOctor. so he
called the servant to show the man the
door. A black priest was, in his opinion,
bad enough, but ne thought il was carrying
the joke too far for the man to try to ! ass
for Cork nun and a priest, ordained by
Bishop England, so he motioned toward
the door and said ''Clear off; you are an
impostor.'
"Allow me TO show you my credentials"
replied our friend, preceding to unlock
his valisc. So having produced the docu-
ments, together with letters of recon-
mendation and his eredt from Bishop Eng
land, he was allowed 10 sit down and ex-
plain matters.
Even the Doctor was not altogether con-
vinced till he had questioned him N Latin,
and on certain theological points. Hav-
ing received correct answers, in classical
Latin, to his questions, he excused HIM
self for his incredibly; ''but" saith he,
81 m afraid to allow you to say mass in the
church; these New Workers are very unru-
ly eople, and am afraid they would do
some damage to you, as they are not at all
friendly to the nagurs-I mean the black
men. However, / have no objections to
allow you to say mass privately il 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 LETT, the Doctor
called the servant, and told her to send for
boys TO serve that mans mass,
"What !" exclaimed the girl, sis that na-
CUR priest?"
'sYes, indeed, he is" said the Doctor;
'he showed me his papers, and question
ed him. He's all right"
''Ah. 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
carefully"
sOh. glory be to .Godl wonders will nev.
er cease. Well, well, what won't you see
in America. But did you speak Latin to
him, Doctor?"
Il did, and he speaks Latin very correct
ly.'
Thank 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 'noly water, Doc.
tor, jewell
mo, 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 suf-
ticient time to rest and get on the altar
her curiosity was so excited she resolved
to hear his mass. She heard the poor mar
saying mass devoutly, and in tones as swee
and correct as any priest she had heard in
the .'ould dart" She did not pray much
however. for she kept her eyes, mouth anC
ears oyen till the very end ofthe mass, AMI
then hastened back to the house to prepare
his breakfast for him, which she did rpos
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 Eugeni<
(who is fond of trying all sorts of expert
ments on her health which she thinks Ii
wretched)sent for DIR. Charge homno
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. "sDr. Charge
replied: * cannot except this condition
not that myself care, but l cannot accept
1t for the sake of the school to which 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 one occasion he was asked by
! friend. a Marquise, to see her to her car.
mage. They we're at q ball. Going down
stairs somebody trod on her dress and tore
1T She asked for pin. The Count tool
from his scarf a diamond pin worth 5000