The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-02-06

linen that falls halfway to the waist, and a
cloth petticoat. Her mind matched her per-
son, not too acute nor too gross. suppose she
was intelligent enough to manage common
farm house and govern one or two female ser
wants. But what was noble in her was her
self devotion and her courage. After the first
days given up to wailing, she came to under
her charge, for the blow that God had let them
be stricken with, had almost destroyed their
minds.
Forthwith she dried her eyes and set herself
to work to nourish, comfort, and care for them,
like good mother. 1t was plain at first sight.
on entering this sad abode that she alone still
really lived the other two might have been
mere corpses bnt for the torture of their poig
nant grief. While working without relaxation
sweeping, washing, cooking-she ever had
eye to herp poor old wards. Now she brought
his pipe ready filled to her father; now when
passing by her mother, she threw her arms
about her neck and printed.a warm kiss on her
lips If NJ. Jourdan came-apd he always
made haste to come whenever he caught
CLEAN of hope-Marion heard him mounting
the winding stairs, and went to meet him. She
indicated what words he must use to keep up
little hope in those two hearts-not enough to
deceive them, but enough to help out their
lives few more days. She did not cheat her.
self; she felt that she was MORALLY wounded !;
but shes acted like those captains who call up
all their strength to order the last charge with
a firm voice, ready to drop dead when the start
is once given. But where she was particular
ly admirable, was in her conviction of the in
nocence of her husband and of his two BROTH
ers. sThcy did not do it, tell you. What
wonder ut is that they did not let themselves
be killed to save him; but you may be sure
they were held hack by force. know my hus-
God shs raiSe
cent when she spoke in this way, went to the
soul. Sometimes the old man would say, but
lied his doctrine: "They did right" Then
she put her hand his mosth "Silencs,
father" she would say to him "does not a wife
know her husband' He never did any such
thing, so sure as l hope for Paradise" And
then going up to her mother, Come, mother,
you tell him so; do justice to your own blood.
They will make martyrs of them, perhaps
and here sob interrupted her wortls-"but it
is that day will see crime committed" One
day, when / was present at one of these scenes
she perceived that was weeping.
But tell him then, You too" she cried
out, graspins my hand with convulsve force,
"you, their friend, who have lived with them
you, who have prayed to the good God with
them tell him that they are innocent"
Eyes ~ l exclaimed, for her faith took pos
session of me !; and while looking at her,
found again in my thoughts my poor friends
such as had known them-so pure, and sim
pie, and good, and far removed from anything
like fanati cism-"yes, l believe it-believe 1T
.;Now God he prased..n the poor woman cried
out, ''now you see Yourself, father and she
pushed me towards him. But the old man
turned away, perhaps to hide his tears. went
out fFum there, my head on fire, my blood all
burning. There was a calvary hard by, at the
door of the Church du Meme. l threw myself
on my knees before it, without heed to the pas
sers-by. The world indifferent to me in
such suffering. heard them say, "That is a
friend of the prisoners" bat nockery went
with the words They good people; they
had ra, her wcpt with me if they had dared
When the day for the trial came l promised
myself to- be in the front rank OF the specta-
tors, that the eyes of the accused could rest
on me. Guyouar to hold himself ip>readi
ness to run to the father on the slightest occa-
sion. Able lie Der, who, notwithstanding the
difference of age, frend~for us, had been
engaged, without great difficulty, to walk up
and down before the seminary during the day,
waiting to accompany Guyonar,.if, as was too
much to be feared, there should be bad news to
tell.
We were at the 18th December. Snow had
fallen through the night, and over the snow
was frozen sleet. The trial was to begin ut
O'Clock; at o'clock knocked at the door of
the family. Come in, we ready" said the
voice of Marion. found them all dressed and
prepared to go out.
"This is tempting Providence" protested,
"tO take the mother there"
The remark evoked no word of reply. The
father solemnly crossed himself, and went IN
advance, the two women followed, sustaining
each other. After having descended two steps,
Marion ran hastily back, and returned with a
chaplet that hung on the wall, which she
placed in the hand of the old mother. 1t was
idle to, resist; Followed them.
q throng about the door but way made
I fer us, and we reached the bar that separates
the public from the space reserved for the
couf. The Kings prosecutor, was already in
his Pace He turned pale at seeing us, and,
calling to NJ. Jourdan, whispered him some
thing.
al am quite agreed with you," replied NJ.
Jourdan anud, "but neither your authority nor
my request Gould have the slightest effect"
The feature of the prosecutor expressed q
painful resign.tion; and am snre he, thought
at that mouel! that never before had duty
been stern f'e him. Shortly after he had
chairs brought, th't the women might Descent
| cd. felt them treAble and shudder by the
side of me. The jules were now announced
and almost at the same>ime the accused were
brought in.
those two long hearings haNIeft nothing but
a most confused impressiouon NV memory,
| vNile | can recall i'll their last details All
the other incidents of this stSowful story.
| Firmly persuaded that an acquiitl was limos
sibie. and preferring for my frient%he scaffnld
to the galleys, l attended there as lat the be-
ginning of long torture rather thaiNt legal
trial.
The poor boys had grown pale and ExEard
I what with anxiety and captivity THEM anne
Il ~ = !.