The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-15
HELP THE UNFORTUNATE.

large hall OF castle near Burgos. IL was
certainly not to go to war that they were
assembled, for neither arms nor shining
cuirasses were to be seen upon them, and
mo rich helmets covered their heads ; on
the contrary, their dress was simple, and
on studying their faces it was easy to zee
that it was pious journey they were about
IN undertake. In fact such was their in
tention the meeting of these warriors was
for no other purpose than te go on pill
rrimage to Compostela, to visit the shrine
Of st. James the Apostle.
Alone, and at the end of the large hall,
stood an old and a young man. The latter,
who bad gu interesting face, was not 30
tall as the older man, and, to judge from
the profound attention be paid, the CONVEX
sation they were engaged in must baVe
been of some Importance.
The hour for departure at length arrived,
old man said: 'sRodriguez, do not forget
what have just told you"
emo father" replied the youth.
"swear, Rodriguez, by the memory of
your mother" =
engaging himself from the arms of his IA
Their, and Fastening to join his companions,
who were waiting for him in the court OF
the castle.
He who exacted this oath was one of
the most celebrated judges OF Castillo. and
called the Cid Campeador.
Our warriors took the road to Gothic and
were near the end of their journey when
Rodriguez, rejecting on what his father had
said (baving become gradually separated
from his companions) was aroused from his
meditation by groaDs, which seemed to
come from the bottom of an abyss. He
stopped, stupefied, on beholdipg who it
was that uttered these plaiDtive cries-a
poor, unfortunate old man, covered with
leprosy, naked and, apparently dying with
hunger.
riguez, and what do you wants
The old man did not reply, but only
groaned.
Rodriguez ended by dismouuting, rum
ming great risk in the mire in which the old
man was lying; and his pity increased
when he perceived him to be afflicted with
another sad infirmity-he was dumb.
81 will begin by putting in practice my
fathers Instructions" he cried and taking
off his cloak. he put it on the beggar, and
raising him on his shoulders, he continued
his journey, trying to overtake his COM
panions.
Night was already far advanced when be
reached a village in the neighborhood of
Compostella, where he found them waiting
for him. They were very much surprised
to see him arrive with this unexpected
man was leper.
"Oh, my God Rodriguez, what are you
doing 2" one of them exclaimed.
"Count Auzures," he replied. 81 met
this old leper on the way, naked, and dying
of hunger. came to his relief. 1 covered
nothing left for me to do but to share my
supper and my bed with him."
"But you are ignorant, Rodriguez y" added
the count, "of the danger to which you ex.
pose yoarselff Do you forget that this
man may communicate his diseaseT
u0h Of 7
only of one thing, and that was that he was
my equal, and treated him as SUCH"
"By the blood which flows in yonr veins,
Rodriguez, by your absent father, con-
jure you abandon this mani"
"Yo1 make q mistake, count, for it is
precisely in order to follow my fathers in
structions that 1 cannot Yield to your
Wishes"
"If you persist, " said all the knights in
chorus, 1--WE shall retire"
al am very sorry, gentlemen, but nv
resolution is irrevOcsble."
1t was so, in fact; for his companions
tried several times in vain to persuade him
to leave the leper, and go with them to
Compostella. Seeing that Rodriguez in
sisted upon carrying out his purpose and
companions forsook him. Silent, he let
them leave the apartment, following them
with his eyes until they disappeared at the
turn of the road then he went in search
OF the leper, with whom he supPed and
shared his bed. After having arranged
him comfortably, he said to himeelf-"My
father will be pleased, for have followed
his advice"
1t was midnight when Rodriguez, who
mad fallen asleep, felt behind him blast !
which awoke him. He was surprised at
-tnis strange event, especially as he saw by
the light of the lamp that bis companion
was longer with him. This did not pre-
t yen! his falling asleep again Z, however, for |
MS intrepid heart feared nothing.
soon after be felt his face touched by |
some one who, approaching his ear gently, |
sag %N ;'Rodriguez, are you apleep q"
ror,jS' good man, I am not asleep" he
s auphheo put who are you-you who show
s sorn bright light. and exhale such an
boln am replied the vision-the leper you
neipe9, and l come to tell you that, as a re-.
~ tS LOT your good deed, you will be one
D " Ine most famous of warriors. Your re-
I0S1 tn