Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-02-05
The Partisan Police.

Previously to the year 1889, the city of Paris
possessed guardian Of ITS safety and chief
minister of police, man OF rarejtalents and III
tegrliy.
At the same period, the parish of st. Ger
mains, in the quarter of the Rue St. Antoine,
had for its cure venerable old man, whose life
was spent in doing good to both the souls and
bodies of his fellow creatures, whose consisten-
cy and dignilied courage caused him to be low
ed by the good, and respected by even the most
abandoned characters.
One cold, dark winners mig Int, the bell at the
cure door was ruug loudly, and he, although
i'll bed, Immediately rose and opened the door,
anticipating summons TO some sick or dying
bed.
A parsonage, richly dressed, with his features
partly concealed by large false beard, stood
outside. Addressing the cure in courteous
and graceful manner, he apologzed for his I'M
seasonable xist, which, as he said, the high
reputation OF Mons ieur had induced him to
make.
"a great and terrible but necessary deed,''
he continued, ''is to be done. Time presses
the soul about to pass into eternity implores
your ministry. lfyou come you must allow
your eyes be btndaged, ask no questions and
consent TO act simply as spiritual CONSIDER of n
dying woman. Ii you refuse to accompany
me, no other priest can be admitted, and her
spirit must pass alone"
After moment OF secret prayer, the cure
answered, 81 will go with you" Without
asking further explanation, he allowed his eyes
to be bandaged and leaned on the arm of his
suspicious visitor. They both got into a coach
the windows were Immediately covered with
wooden shutters, and then they drove off rapid
ly. They seemed to 60 long way, and make
many doublings and turnings ere the coacl
drove under large archway, and then stop
ped.
During this time not word had been ex.
changed between the travellers, and ere theS
81
age over his companions eyes had not beer
displaced, and then taking the old man respect
fully by the hand, lie assisted him to alight an,
TO ascend the wide steps vi u Staircase as fat
as the second story. A great door opened, a
ifof Itself. and several thlrky clrpetel room
were triversed in silence. At length anothe
door was opened by the mysterious guide
and the cure felt his bandage removed. The
were in solemn looking bedchamber. Nea
bed, half yelled by thick damask curtains
was table supporting two wax-l5hts whic
feebly Illuminated the cold, death-ke apar,
ment.
The stranger Duke de y, then bowin
to the cure, led him towards the bed, DIRE,
back the curtain, and said in 4 deep, solem
tone:
minister of God, before you is a woms
who has betrayed the blood of her ancrst ors
and whose doom is irrevocably liked. She know
on what conditions an interview with 20
has been granted her she knows too that a
supplicat ions would be useless. You kno'
your duty, NJ: lie Cure leave you TO fulfill i
and will return to sex you in an hour.
So saying he departed, and the agitate
priest saw lying on Il bed young and beaut
full girl, bathed in tears, battling with despai
and calling in her bitter agony for the comiorl
of religion. No investigation was possible; I'll
unhappy creature declared herself bound by
terrible oath TO conceal her name; besides, ST.
knew not in what place she was.
al am she said. the victim of a secret fan
lily tribunal, whose sentence is irrevocable.-
More | cannot tell. | forgive my enemies,
trust God will forgive me- Please pray f
mel"
The minis er ofregon invoked the divil
promises OF The gospel to soothe her trouble
soul, and lie succeeded.
Her counlenauce after L time became col
posed, she casped her hands in prayer, Al
then extended them towards her cons bier.
As she did SO the cure perceived the sleeve
her robe was stained in blood.
"My child" he said, with trembling voic
''what is ths?"
"Fa,her, it is the vein they have area,
opened, and the bandaee no doubt was carec.
ly put OIL"
At these word sudden thought struck Il
priest. He uurolled the dressing, allowed d
blood 10 dow, stuffed the handkerchief with
his vest, and whispered:
Farewell, my daughter; take courage n,
nave confidence in Gud!"
his terrible conductor was heard approlchil
the door.
81 am ready sihi the cure. And having q
lowed his Eyes to he covered, he took d
arm Of the Duke de -, and lett the awl
room.
Arrived at the foot of the staircase, the O
man succeeded, without his guides know
edge, in slightly displacing the thick banda!
so as to admit a partial ray of lamplight.
Finding himself in the carriage gateway,
managed 10 stumble and fall, with both han
forward, in dark corner; the duke hastent
to raise him, both resumed their places in I
carriage, and after repassing through the san
clrcuitous route the cure was set down
safety at his own door.
Without moments delay, he called his ST
want.
"Pierre," he said, "arm yourself with
stick, and give me your support; must instaI
ly go to the Minister of Police
Soon afterwards the official gate W
opened to admit the we'll known venerat
pastor.
"Monseigneur," he said, addressing the mi
lister, u terrible deed will soon be accoi
Plished fyou not in time TO prevent IT,.
Let your agents visit before day-break, eve
carriage gateway in Paris; in the inner aug
OF one OF them will be found stained han
kercbief
The blood is that of yonng female, who
4l4. a.