Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-01-01

himself as Jesus Christ. lie gave him
a commission to preach crusade to
the children, promising that he should
lead to the Palestine an army that
should occupy the land and restore the
Holy Sepulcher. Into his hand he de-
livered letter to the king of France,
commanding the monarch to aid the
Heaven-appointed apostle Of the new
crusade. Filled with rapture, Steph-
en- flew to his parents, told his marve-
lous story, and exhibited his celestial
letter to the king. The simple listen
ed with amazement and perplexity.-
They asked for the heavenly visitant );
but he had disappeared us mysterious
ly as he came. We can only guess
who and what he was. Probably, he
WAS priest of the neighborhood, who,
hearing of Stephens kindling enthusi-
aSm, had disguised himself in pilgrim
garb, and had thus visited and misled
the simple boy.
Stephen soon proved how apt pu-
pill he was. Fired with strange ardor
and gifted with great natural powers
of oratorv, the lad kindled innumera-
bic hearts with burning zeal. Leav-
ing Cloyes, he went to the city of St.
Dcnys, then famous as the burial
place of the martyr Dionysius. Plac-
ing himself before the shrine of this
early victim 10 the rage of the heath
en. he addressed the multitudes who
came thither to worship.
The people heard with awe, not un-
mixed with doubt. The religion of
the time was oyerlaid with much ride
ulous superstition. Legends of hea-
then de!tieS Were intermingled with
monkish tales and lies. Divine ap-
pcaranceS and angelic visitations were
believed to be common; and not few
were ready to accept Stephen as a di-
vinelyappointed prophet. Heis said to
have healed the sick by his touch; and
the fame of his youth, piety, and high
mission spread far and wide. Never
thcleSS. there was no movement of the
people toward this banner. Men were
disturbed bv the civil wars that then
rent France. There were many rulers,
and the fertile provinces of that beau
titul land were trampled by hostile
forces. But the children were caught
up BY this strange enthusiasm. Like
a contagion, the crusading spirit
spread from Brittany to the Rhine
Stephen trayersed the country, speed
ing from city to city, and everywhere
calling on the children to hear the
voice Of God commanding them to
save the Holy City from the defle-
i;,-rt Of The Moslems.,
he young apostle snust have been
a youth of rare power. His appear
ance WAS in all places hailed with
vii! enthusiasm. He fascinated the
children and youth. Inspired by his
words. these young people seemed to
be tranStused with an unaccountable
zeal. They passed into state of
spiritual cNaltution not now easily to
be understood. Bows and girls. of ten
or twelve years ofage, left their games
and toys, or their tasks and homes,
and Joined the thrce-pointed, blood
red banner of the young crusader
Here and there, minor prophets sprang
up, preaching the sacred mission of
Stephen and avowing him as their
leader. Like Il flame the movement
spread, sweeping children of tender
Years, and even maturer youths, into
the ranks of the augmenting army
Children escaped from the confne-
ment in which parents thought it ne
ccssary to put them; they were deaf
to the voice of authority and the call
ofatttction. They flew, they ran, they
poured, they tumultususly streamed
to the banner of the Children's Cru
sade, rccchoipg once more the crv
which had followed the fiery cross of
Peter the Hermit, God wills it. God
wills it."
The King Of France was forced to
turn his attention from his ambitious
and selfish plans, and to regard atten-
lively this phenomenon. Not daring
to suppress II crusade, he asked the
opinion Of the University of Paris
The learned doctors of that conclave
very sensibly, We must think, advised
that the matter be stopped. This
was not So easy. The infatuation had
grown strong in volume. The gov
ernment was powerless against these
elusive streams of singing, praying
children. Like Il rolling SNOWFALL,
the vast mass grew us it moved until
countless numbers had poured into the
columns of Stephens army. People
were aghast at their own ability to
lay Il straw in the way of this wonder
ful army.-NoM Brooks, in st. NicA-
olas for Jonuary.
W"A New Orleans Judge riding in
the ears recently, from Il single glance
at the countenance of Il lady by his
side, imagined he knew her, and VEN
tured to remark that the day was
pleasant. She only answered:
Yes"
why do you wear Il veil:?"
''Lest | attract attention."
at is Il province Of gentlemen to
ADMIRE replied the gallant man of
the law.
"Not when they are married"
"But | am not"