The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-15

The NOR
undertook without delay tho despoiling of the
grotto. The pious mementoes had accumulated
to such extent that to disPosess them
horse and cart wero Indispensable. With
several policemen at his heels he began his
search for a conveyance. They fret applied to
the postmaster. my horses arc not to be
hired for such purposes" replied he firmly. II
will have no share in the saerilege you are
going to sonsummate. Prosecute me if you
will, but my horses go not with you" The
commissary tried his fortune at every inn, at
every stable: he met with the same refusal,
and the same ex plosion of indignant contempt.
Nearly bursting with vexation aud rage, mp
and down the streets he marched. followed by
his squad. In vain did he offer thirty francs
for a trip less than quarter of mile. At last
one greedy woman was hooked by the bride,
and lent her horse and cart. She received for
her complaisanc &c anything but congratulations
from her neighbors.
The commssary had not yet reached the end
of his misery. He and his ASSISTANTS reached
| the grotto, bat the removal had to be effected.
This sacrilegious work was impeded by the
| natural roaghness of the locality. And
furthermore, the inhabitants of Lourdes, who
had fastened in body to the grotto on the
first tidings of the intended expedition, by
their threatening attitute, did not contribute
| to lend any additional charms to the disagree
able task.
| The satellites of his Houor, the Prefect, first
gathered up the coin and jewery that lad been
offered to the Blessed Virgin - the most
shameless sneak-thief would have respect ted
sach q deposit. They then came 70 the
bouquets. The commissary seemed tempted TO
pitch them into the water-course hard by: a
very significant muttering from the crowd
made him change his mind. He nervous
| and uneasy in his movements. In order to
| finish with the business sooner, he So nmoued
to his assistance little boy standing near.
Here" said he, handing ont a framed
picture; "bring this to the cart" The child
without reflection stretched out his hands.
One of his comrades cried out aloud to him {:
what are doingf God will punish you" The
little follow drew back in alright, end no
further injunction of the comnissary could
prevail on him to stir inch. The subordi-
mates showed very little heart for their work,
and made no efforts to disguise the repuEnance
with which they obeyed the orders of their
| superiors.
The plundering OF the grottO was at length
| accomplished. The commissary wished next
to do away with q balustrade Of wood which
had been placed ct the entrance in token of
respectful reverence. He needed an axe. A
saw-mll stood close at hand. He applied there
for the loan of one. The workmen. did not
show themselves more obliging than the
townspeople. A little further, he came up
with workman who was alone; the poor
| fellow had not the courage to refuse. An axe
was found. The valiant eommissaFy was
forced to do his own work: not an arm offered
assistance. When the Arst blows of the axe
were heard, the indignation of the people rose
to its highest pitch. The water course was
not far-an accident might be very easily pre-
cipitated. The wretch felt it. He stopped
short-with q pale, disoomposed countenance
he turned towards the crowd, and in voice
rendered unsteady by fear, perhaps by remorse,
he protested that he was only executing the
injunctions of his suPeriors. Ke concluded by
begging pardon for the task in which he focnd
himself unwillingly engaged. When all was
over, he returued to Lourdes with the stolen
spoils of the Blessed Virgin.
The same evening, as a solemn protestatiGn
against this upjustifable outrage, the popule-
tion of the town poured itself ,oat, in denser
masses than ever previously, towards the
grotto. The cavity was in a short time filled
with flowers and lighted by hundreds of tapers-
re be Coneinued.i