The anti-monopolist., 1875-10-11
IL ! LAL44H+ ;
THE BsCCAR OF ST. ROCHE.

4 younp priest attached to the Church of
St Roche ut Paris in the year Is, had
been III the habit Of giving occasional aims
to u beggar whom he passed eve day as
he went INTO the church. This man used TO
sit on the steps Of the front entrance. anu to
solicit lie charity of the faithful as they
PASSED TO and lro He was old and his
countenance stern and sad. If any one ad-
dressed him. he answered briefly anu
abruptedly; nor had his features ever been
seen 10 relax into a smile He was known
as ..OId .lauucs Of the steps OF -. Roche;
and none had troubled themselves to in-
uuire into his history or ascertain his orig
in. The good priest who had frequently
relieved him. remarked that he was never
seen within the church, and endeavor
cd M 4 fIrl cnt times to find out from him
whether he indeed neglected his religious
duties or performed them at such times as
had escaped his observation; but he al
ways returned cvasive answers to his ques
tins. and shut himself up IN the deepest
reserve once or twice the Able --- had
pcrceived lhut he wore arounl his nech y
black string to which WAS attached q small
enamelcd cross When b.s eye had fixed
itself upon ii, jacques hal hastily m" 1t
from has sight and since that day had
taken care to keep his poor ragged coat
buttonel over ii. 1t SO happened that
the priest was called away from his post
during the winter that followed his first ac
ouniutauee with jacques, and remained ab
sent for some weeks. At his return he
missed the begcar from his accustomed
place and when after few days tie stltl did
not appear. his charity prompted man y
make enquiries about the poor man lie
found some difficulty III discovering his
abode but it was at last pointed out to hlm,
his informant adding at he same time, that
though jacques was very i'll, 1t was no use
for a priest to visit hun. as he had abso
lutcly refused to send for one. aud seemed
determined TO die in sulen, obstinate
silence This account only confirmed tn,
Able - in hi. resolution 10 seek hin
OUT: and as he bent his steps towards thu
marrow street which had been pointed ou
To him. he thought OF the cross whica h,
had noticed on the old man bosom, anu
wondered that one apparently 50 poo'
should wear so rich an ornament, or Que $
irreliviouS the symbol OF our Redemption
After cropping up a narrow staircase IN IN
house TO which he mad been directed. n
succeeded in finding the garre' IN whlcl
Jacques was lying. His worn and emaciat
ed 4ppearauce. heightened by the progres
OF disease had greatly increased since h
had last seen him; the dark lines about HI
ewes and mouth and the restless twitchlr
of his limbs seemed to indicate that life wa
coming to n clese. There was httle turn
ture in that miserable room; the bed, II he
il could be cal ed occupied one half OF 1t;
piece of Staiucd. di>eoiored silk hun
against the wall IN the shape of curtain
There seemed TO be no particular reason 10
this contrivance, which scarcely harmonll
cd with the squalid neglected aspect Of ta'
poor aboie. Jacques lifted up his eyes {
the Able approached. aud made a sign
recognition. Whea the priest kindly a.
dressed him he held cut his hand and mu
mered few words Of thanks: but when h
visitor. after alluiing to his Illness, an
proposing certain measures for his reh
and comfort proceeded 10 speak OF Il
preperatioa . Christian should make f
death. and to express u hope that he wou
avail himself Of the means Of Grace which
merciful God was placing within his reac
the old man face darkened. the lines abo
his mouth grew harder. and he exelaim
with impatience that it was no use that
had nothing to say TO priest, and on
wished TO be left alone.
You are satisfied, then, 10 die III yo
present state of mind. my dear friend"