The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-05

cary thus spoke:
Forty. six years ago, few among you were |
or six now present can remember the year 1912. |
Ny uncle, an apothecary. who liked no odors |
but those of roast beef and Bordeaux wine, |
was unwilling for me to Inherit his odorife- |
rous phials. In his wisdom he decided that
should be an artist. aud he placed me at Ant |
werp, in the studio of q landscape-PainteIO One |
summer day left my uncle's house, where |
had been upon q visit, and directed my steps |
by the order of my master toward the downs, |
in order to make q few sketches which later
might servo to be worked up into landscape: |
The third day after my arrival, had seated
myself cpon q hill whence q charming view |
unfolded itself before my eyes on one side
were thousands OF hillocks Of sand scattered
around without order; on the other was one
single green eminence, variegated by all the
shade which . painters palette might pre-
sent. At the foot Of this eminence was dis
covered o little cottage with q red roof"
"But the story Z" ssked some one. "As
this rate it will take you until to morrow to
commence"
"Not 60" observed the stranger; "let the
gentleman continue, 1 beg you; his narrative
is very interesting"
"Have patience" replied the spothecary;
" we will come to it in time. 1 was seated on
an elevation, designing, as best could, the
scene before me. All nature still
around me, that could hear in the distance
the murmnrng of the waters of the sea. Since
morning 1 had not seen q living creature.
when noticed a man emerging from the cabin
and walking towards the sea shore; but per-
oeivipg me, he assembled the hiilock and
approached me. He was an old gray headed
man, clothed q fisherman; he seemed to be
erect. His firm step and vigorous movements
| indicated muscular power surprising in man
of his age
erman, Walking behind me to look at my sketch.
1--WE exchanged few words about the
weather, the downs, and the sea; but he was
| absorbed in following my pencil, and for more
than a balf-hour he watched my work. Then
he said smiling:
"Is that what you call paintipgf Will all
those small lines, which my eyes can scarcely
occu pations in the world! We're condemned
| to paint as you do sir, would die in three
months. Is that q work suitable to mans
handf Why, it advances more slowly than
lace making. the sweat pours from my brow
alt is we, not the fshermas, who are
| bathed in perspiration from impatience" e1.
claimed his hearers. "Tne story the story y
Patience it will come in good time" said
the apothecsry,
"The old fisherman was an Intelligent man,
who loved a joke. In order to be brief, will
not repeat the conversation. While we were
talking together cheerfully, some one came up
approach. He carried basket upon his back,
and his whole body vas strangely bent, for, in
walking, his hands almost touched the
haggard eyes, and said, in q hollow voice
''Listen, the roars fesrfully. A vessel
was shipwrecked last night. Did you see the
me, tell the truth, he was dead. All, there
he comes! For the love of God, protect me !;
he will murder met
Saying these Words" continued the
apothecary. "this singular individual rushed
down the hillock, climbed up another on all
fours like an animal, and disappeared from
sight.
"'Who is that man T. ask ed in great aston
ishmant.
t "Poor Ko snelr said the fisherman, sadly.
He has lost his Senses sir. Some time ago an
| En- WA wrecked
The body of the captain was washed ashore by
. the waves Was he alivef No one knows; but
4 when the officers discovered him, they found q
3 corpse. Ko Smell was accused of having stolen
from the deceased a pocket book filled with
bank notes. He persstenty denied having
done So but O search of bis house being insti-
tuted, the money was found buried on the
. premises. Ko was condemned to serve twenty
8 years as q gslley-slave After serving ten
years he was liberated in conse uence of hav-
j ing become insane. The unfortunate man
wanders night and day up and down the beach,
! pursued, as he imagines, by the spirit Of the
English captain, who is endeavoring to assas-
= sinate him. He has done no good, but much
d evil, during his life ; bat the fishermen have
Q compassion on him, and they Furnish him with
food and clothing'"
j., cat last the story will commenced said one
= of the company, clapping his hands.
SHOT YET" replied the apothecary, "but
/ have patience for a little while"
Look at the clock, )" said another.
8 81 myself must soon leave" grumbled the
= old man, my wife is expecting me now.
wlll make my story q snort one Inc mailman
8 had scarcely gone, when an old woman ap-
peared the down, shook her fist at the fish
3 erman, and said to him angrily:
8 "Giddy, silly child! You do not take time to
t think that my dinner is getting cold and
y spoiledv
"'Gddy childp said to myself, surprised
to see the white-haired old man treated like q
/ child.
, "Well, WE'LL" replied the fisherman, smiling g,
Il will bs seated at table before you are'
9 "The old woman descended the down,
Q grumhling
oils she your mother z l asked.
"No; but she has been q mother to me-
= "'She does not seem very kind-hearted. /
3 thought she would pluck out your eyes
8 "'Shep he exclaimed, energetically. That
A old woman is loving and gentle as angel
from heaven. She might live in palace and
/ lead the life of princess, bot she prefers to
pass her days in the downs in order to take
care of me-
}, az Dwell in palaoeH replied, in astonish-
q ment