Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-02-20

The magnificent steamer Magnolia
was just landing her passengers on one
OF tile piers OF the Crescent City.
Among the crowd leaving the deck
might be seen fine looking middle
aged man, on whose arm rested young
girl. Placing his fair companion in the
carriage waiting, he turned and spoke
to the driver:
"Do you see that priest walking just
ahead there? I want you to keep in
sight of him. His face is strangely ia
miliar. Do you know who he is, dri-
ver?"
"Ah, faith, and it's myself that's
blessed with the knowing of him! It's
Father Jerome, sure; and may the Lord
shower blessings on his holy head! It's
all the poor and miserable that knows
Father Jerome's goodness" answered
the son of Erin.
"If it were not for those priestly
robes, / would say it was my old friend
and class-mate, Charley Mayo. Keep a
little behind him, driver; want to get
a better chance of watching him."
Slowly the carriage rolled on. In
tently its occupant watched the rever-
end father. Turning to his companion.
he said:
"Icannot be mistaken. That priest
is surely my friend; and notwithstand-
ing his robes would contradict it, l shall
speak and claim him as SUCH"
And tapping at the window, he called
to the driver to stop; and opening the
door, stepped from the carriage, order
/ ing it to wait there. He hurried on
and overtaking the priest, said:
Stop, my friend! Although twenty
five years have passed since 1 saw you
L cannot fail to recognize my dea
friend; Mayo you surely are"
1 And clasping the hand of the priest
he shook it long and warmly.
"You are right, Lowering. l am h
the world once knew as Charles Mayo
and a look of deep sorrow oversprea
the reverend fathers face.
"Why do 1 see you thus? Why i
these robes? 'Tis strange that you
face should be the first to meet my eye
You remember the last time we met
your wedding-night. stood besid
you. Where is your wife? Have you
children? Oh, tell me, dear old friend
what means this sad face and mien ?"
"Have mercy, and recall not the past
My once wife is no longer of this world
have no children save those of tn
Church. Remember no more Charlie
Mayo, but know Father Jerome, VIII
gladly claims your friendship"
The decided words, the sorrowfu
manner, were not to be resisted.
"Be it as YOU will. Of course 1 hav
) no right to seek any knowledge you ar
not willing to impart. L shall be in tn
; city but a few days. I've brought M.
only child, my motherless girl, to max
visit to her relatives. 1 shall leav
her here for time, and then return t
my business in London. Do let me Sc
f you as much as possible while here?"
"You will find ME at the college froI
two until five. 1 shall always be hap
DIV to see you," answered Father Je
!; rome.
d Tomorrow, then, L shall be wit
you, and bring my daughter to see you
Goodbye"
e The friends parted, to meet agai
many times at the priests apartments
! But during none of these meeting
: could Mr.. Lowering penetrate one ste
o back in the past, or draw one word fror
his old friend in explanation of til
mystery surrounding him. At last, o
one occasion, few days previous
!. Mr.. Lovering's departure from the cit,
: Father Jerome said:
"My friend, have noticed what
}. very sad face your daughter has.
grieve TO see one so young seem so so
rowful. Indeed her expression at time
% seems almost hopeless. She does NJ
&c seem in poor health. What is it? I'll
loss of her mother?"
"No, no; neither bad health, nor hi
mothers loss. 1t is love affair. wi