The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-03-16


rose the waters already the mud built
walls of the hut were yielding to the furi-
Gus dashlng of the waves. All hope
seemed lost. In vain had Jacques, the
blacksmith, man of great strength and
courage, endeayored to ford the rushing
waters three times had he striven to
reach the hapless family, but always
without success. Two others had made
the attempt and failed. A few more
minutes and the mother with her little
ones must be swallowed up in the raving
waters.
Just at this crisis the gaIoping of a
horse was heard. All turned eagerly TO
see. 1t was the good cure, bareheaIed,
and with his cassock tucked up, calmly
urging on the stout pony that bore him
each Sunday to say Mass at an outlaying
chapel Encouraged by the voice and
hand of his master, the brave animal
took TO the water, and, despite the force
of It's current, managed 10 reach the tot
tering hut. But how to save all these
urfortunates Ii was with thu greatest
difficulty the pony had withstood the tor
rent with only one person on his back
could lie sustain the additional burden =?
The cures resolution was speedily
formed. He held out his hands for the
children the poor woman, in her ma
ternal tenderness, was only too glad that
they should have the first chance of
safety, and clasping them in his arms he
set out on The dangerous return. He
succeeded. Leaving the children on the
bank, he again essayed the perIluus pass
age, unheedine the cries OF The people,
who imPlored him not TO risk again a life
so dear TO them ali. Nothing could daunt
his heroic courage. "Pray for me,' was
all he answered, and plunged into the tor
rent. In spite Of the animals resistance,
and the increasing force of The waves, he
once mere reached the cottage. just as the
walls gave way. The roof disappe lred
and the poor woman was precipitatsd into
the stream. Another moment and she
would have been beyond the reach of
help; but the priest, who never lost his
presence of mind, seized her by the hair
as ii floated on the surface, and again,
encouraging his pony once more, crossed
the torrent and landed her in safety. Ex>
hausted by his superhuman exertions, he
sank upon the ground, murmuring ::
''Whatever Almighty God docs, lie does
well -
1t is needless to attempt description
Of the scene that followed TO d well ON the
emotions of the people as all anxiously
helped TO restore BIN TO consciousness
1t would be hard TO say whether love or
admiration was the predominant feeling
From that night of terror Monsieur lie
Cure was hero, a saint and those sim
pie peoples judgment perhaps was not
, far astray. However, they were not con
tent with giving him gratitude and admi-
ration. They cast about for some way oil
showing in a tangible form what they
thought of him. And sosn an opportu.
nifty presented itselt.-a droll pportunity,
surely, but they were too much IN earnest
TO be particular. Within few weeks
the township was called on to select off,
| GERS of the fire brigade. The people met
as usual, and on examining the ballots il
was found that Monsieur lie Cure had beer
unanimously chosen captain.
In vain did The object of their strangs
compliment protest against such an un
| heard of proceeding; III vain did he ex-
! plain that the equipments of fireman.
helmet, axe and trumPot-were out o
keeping with the cassOck the voters
sturdily declared that the prefect must
settle that part of the aflair-as for them
selves what was done, was done. 1t was
a new thing for Monsieur lie Cure to have
another do the work while he bore the
credit but there was no remedy. No
| tice OF the election extraordinary was sem
| to the Minister Of the Interior the sineu
In: occurrence was told 10 the Minister
and the Minister thought it worth telling
| TO the King. The whole court was in
| great amusement over the tale
Some years after this, misunderstood,
ings arose between the civil and ecclesias
tical authorities in the diocese of Nancy
Things came TO such a pass that it was
decided the bishop should cease 10 be resi-
dent, but even this did nat allay the ex
element. An actual civil war brok e oui
between the opposing parties, and even
ecclesiastlcs were on opposite sides. Con
fusion reigned, and the Minister of Public
Worship thought II necessary to bring tho
subject 10 the Kings notice, as it called
for the NEST delicate aud prudent man.
agemont.
"The diocese of Nancy gives more
trouble than all the rest of France" said
the Minister in conclusion. '.In fact,
sire, the whole city is in confagration" "
IF that be SO, said tie King, jestingly,
"what can we do but employ our clerica
captain of the fire brigade to put it out 2
The suggestion struck the Minister.
"Sire,' he replied, after moments re-
Election, your Majesty's propositions are
always to the point. l have heard much
of the priest you are pleased to remembel
he Is the very one for the emergency,
as conciliating as he is firm
! In fine, month afterwards NJ. lie Cure,
our hero of the inundation, was nominated