The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-05-13
TALES OF THE BORDERS.
THE MONK OF ST ANTHONY.
ny ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.

CONTINUED.
Now, good reader, would yeu suspect ID
that our friend, David Wemyss, was al
this moment acting under the influence o.
one Of the most wicked temptations that
ever led an unhappy wight from the paths
of righteousness You would not; vet il
is true-too true. Tempted by the ex>
hibition OF the bequests coa6ded to brother
Drink hooly by the two wounded French
officers, David Wemyss, beguiled by the
devil, conceived the atrocious idea Of array.
ing himself in the hat and gown Of the un-
conscious churehman, and Of oficiatiug az
father cOniessOr to the dying gentleman on
the ramparts, ID the hope that be, too,
would leave something to the preceptory
and make him the interim recipient Of thc
beqnest. Circumstances, David thought,
we're favorable to the adventure The
night was dark and the wounded man was
lying at remote part OF the rampant,
where there was no great chance Of his be
iug annoyed with many witnesses The
whole affair, besides, be calculated. would
not occupy many minutes
Eneou aged to the sacrilegious undertak-
ing by this combustion of happy circum
stances, David Wemyss FASTENED on tiptce
to The chamber Of the sleeping brother,
and in twinkling bad himself bedigbt in
the gown aud hat Of the latter.
Thus srrayed, be stole out by the back
door and, taking all the by-ways be could
FASTENED as fast as his legs could carry
him towards the southeastern extremity OF
the rsmparts, where, as described 70 him,
the wounded man was lying. David was
thus pushing along when be suddenly felt
bimseii slapped on the shoulder by some one
behind. He turned round and beheld a
man clo ely muffled up in cloak, who thus
addressed him: .- d.
Your pardon, holy father, for this
somewhat uncourteous interrup ion, but the
urgency Of my case mus plead my apology.
An expiring sinner, holy father, claims your
earnest a,tendance. will conduct YOU 10
her. viii you have the goodness to accom-
psny me -
Impossible, impossible" replied the
counterfeit monk, in great perturbation at
this most unexpected interruption and
threatened erpose I'm JUST gaun
on an errand @ the same kind enow,
and Gamma leave ae sinner for auitber."
"You will obiige me by accompanying
me, good father" said the stranger, in a
mild tone, but with frmncss Of manner
that was rather alarming " You will
,bige me by accompanying ne, good fa-
ther,'' he said, looking q little surprised
al the styl Of the holy father language,
but making no remark on the subject
"Canna, >ir-canna, Gamma, Gamma, on
oBy scccuAt." replied the unhappy brother
Of St Anthony, with great votubi tity, and
endeavoring to push past the stranger, who
stood directly in bis way, and who kept
dodgiug in bis 'front.' TO prevent his sue
ceeding in any attempt ofthi kind.
"Nay, now, good father, ~ you please :
now, if you please, and without more Jan
dying Of words, for the case is urgent, and
there is not moment to lose." "
Man, it's eonpossibIe-utterly oen
possible, replied Davi5, With desperate
energy " tell ye MS ooppos sibIe. =
DO not compel me TO use force, good
father" said the stranger, calmly but de
tersninediy Ao
y" Force e-force - reiterated he horror
stricken monk. "Wad ye use force to 6
boly brither O the preceptory : Fhat wad
be an avfu like thing"
al must. You drive me 70 H." said
the stranger" Heaven know how an
willingly. They were to accost the first o.
your brethren I met 10 entreat him to ac
company me and, IL he refused, to CON
pei him The FIRST have done the httel
I must proceed to do; bot, rest assured, %
personal injury shall be done you; and you
shall, moreover, be wen rewarded for YOU
trouble"
Having said this, the stranger gave a low
whistle, when be was Immediately joined BY
two men, Who bad b en- concealed in a darh
passage close BY, and who, tie unhappy
monk s4w, we're well armed.
Now, good father" resumed the person
BY whom the latter had been 6rst acoOs,ed
I" / trust you viii see the folly Of any AZ
tempt at resistance, should yon-whict
God forbid .--be iDdlscIeet enough TO On
iertain any such idea EGcuse ~e hintine
farther, holy father. that any attempt a
outcry or at giving the slightest alarn O
any kind will be attended with unpleasant