The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-03
ID [ O N
L III E 81 B Y L S
Il CLASSIC, CHRISTIAN NOTEL,
MILES GERALD KEoN,
Author of Harding the Money-Spinner," etc.
From the Catholic World
ID [ O n
Il CLASSIC, CHRISTIAN NOTEL,
From the Catholic World. |
(Continued.)
PART III.

The next operation was to count the twelve
Thousand sesfertii, twelve millions of sester
ces equal to about a hundred Thousand pounds
sterling). And here it will be worth while to
note the fact that the money was delivered in
such proportions respectively of gold and
silver coin-the aureas nummus, or gold dena-
RUS, worth, 1 believe, a guinea the small
gold scruple. less than the value of dollar,
perhaps three and eightpence; and, finally,
the silver denarius, equal to about ninepence
that the whole treasure rose to q very con-
siderable and unwieldly weight.
Tho operation of counting and packing the
rouleaux in the chest occupied the party
almost all the night, although they employed
great diligence aud proper division of labor.
Long before the task was over, little Esther
had said farewell to the company but ere
tiptoe, and reaching her hand to his shoulder
signified that she wished to whisper something
in bis ear. With kindly smile, the tall youth
stopped, and with an important and serious
face the child whispered. Chnrias was the
only present who observed this little
operation; the two other comrades of Paulus
were bending over the chest and packing it
the jew EIeazar was handing the rouleaux to
Lung MUG anu AuSHusj nuilo oidCCa-
beus, Esthers father was busy with the stylus
and large slate-like tablet. Charias per-
ceved when the whisper was finished, that
Paulus looked for a moment fully rs grave
the young girl. Paulus patted the girls head,
and thanked her, upon which she bounded
away to the door. Arrived there, she turned
round, and, still directing her conversation to
Paulus, whose appearance and manners had
evidently much interested her, said aloud:
Are you going to the war, sir I"
Eyes," said he.
az thought" pursued Esther, "that you
might have come back soon :" and she heaVed
a slight 1utterng sigh.
"You are very good, my little LADY," replied
our youth but sometimes people do return
even from wars do they not 7"
ooh yes my own ancestors often did. |
But thought you might return sooner still
because Rabbi EleaEar said that the persons
who took the money from this house were not
The persons who would take it home-that is, |
% where it was bound, and that is to the war. |
But it seems You are to take it all the way.
Wy grandfather does not know what I have
ust whispered you" added she, returning, aud
peaking in lower voice; " shall / tell him |
before all these personsp
"OH no account" answered Paulus, in o |
whisper ait might lead to an immediate
struggle. 1 baveformed my own plan. Fear
1othing, my good and kind little lady 1 am
afe, believe, and l shall never forget-you"
At this assurance, and the emphasis with
which it was spoken, sort of crimson fell like
light over Estber's face; she stood musing
or a moment, and said
Then will wait up for grandfather, whose
Dom is next to mine, and tell him, as he
asses, that have mentioned the facts to you.
farewell"
She now withdrew altogether, and Cassius
'hSrias, who bad, in spite of himself over
card part of The singular and mysterious
difference, gazed hard at Paulns. BIT the
after stood, with his eyes bent abstractedly
n the floor, calm, impassive. and impenetra.
lie. CbOras could gather nothing to solve
he enigma.
By hard work the reckoning and the packing
4 the treasure were finished considerably
'efore daybrsak; whereupon Paulus received
he key Of the chest, and gave in exchange to