The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-05-14
NUMBER Is.
THE BETROTHED:
tContinuod 1
XYYIII-
BY MANZONI.


The reader may imagine the lazaretto, peopled
with six Thousand persons infected with the
plague: the vast enclosure was encumbored
with cabins, tents, cars end human beings.
left, were crowded with the dying or the dead,
| extended upon straw and from the Immense
| receptacle of woe, was heard o deep murmur.
similar to the distant voice of the waves,
agitated by q tempest.
Renzo went forward from hut to hut, care.
fully examining every oountenance he could
fering, distorted by spasm, or fxed in death.
Hitherto he met none but men, and judged.
therefore, that the women were distributed in
some other part of the enclosure. The state Of
the atmosphere seemed to add to the horror Of
| the scene: n dense and dark fog involved all
things. The disc of the sun, as If seen through
veil, shed o feeble light in it's own part a;
the sky, but darted down q heavy deathlika
blast of heat: confused murmuring Of Distant
thunder might be heard. Not n leaf moved,
not tird was seen-save the swallow only
whioh descended to the plain, and, alarmed ct
the dismal sounds around, remounted the air,
and disappeared.
Reuzo had, in bis search, witnessed, as hs
But : new sound caught his ear-a compound
of ohildren's Drying and goats bleating look
ing through an opening of the boards Of Q hut,
quilts upon the floor, and nurses attending
them; but the most singular part Of the
spectacle was o Der of she goats supplying
the maternal functions, and with all the ap-
the cries Of the helpless little ones, to afford
them the requisite nutrition. The woms1
were aiding these efficient coadjo in rem
bereft babiee. Whilst observing this wretohed
scene, an old capuohin entered with two
infants, just taken from their lfeless mother,
to seek among the flock for one to supply her
place. Quitting this spot, and looking about
on every side, . sudden apparition struck bis.
sight, and set his thoughts In oommotiop. He
saw at acme distance, among the tents, q cspu-
chin W HON he iDatau tlv rAn0UnizR n I'm ha IA
Christopher
The history of the good friar, from the mo-
meeting may be related in fow words. He had
not stirred from Rimini, and be would not now
have thought OF doing 80 IL the plague break
ing ont at Milan had rot afforded him the or
portunity. SO long desired, of sacrificing bis life
for the benefit of otherP. He demanded, rs o
favor, permission to go aud assist those who
were infected with the disease. The count, he
of the secret council, was dead; and moreover,
at this time, there was Q greater want OF
guardians to the sick, than OF politicians: his
request was readily grsnted. He had now been
in the lsZarettO nearly three months.
But the joy of RonSo at seeing the good
father wsa not pnalIoyed. It was he indeed |;
bnt, RlGsi how Changed how wan Exhausted
nature appeal ed to Ee sustained for while by
the mind, that had acquired new vIRor from
the perpetual demand on its sympathies and
activity.
he was nesr enough to speak to him.
"You herep said the friar, rising.
How are you, my father, how arc you %
Better than these unfortunate beings that
you see," replied the friar. His voice was
feeble-hollow aud changed as his person. His
eye alone /" had not lost It's original brightness
and charity appeared to have in-
parted TO it lustre So peEior to that which
bodily weakness Was gradually extinRuishinR.
" Bat you" pursued bo, "why are you here
Why do you thus come to brave the pestilencef :"
." have had it, thank Heaven come
in search of-Lucy"
Lucy IL Lucy here"
ia Yes. At least / hope So"
" Is she thy wifei"
"Ny dear father! alasl no, che is not my
wife. Do you know nothing, then, of what has
" No, my son. Since God removed me from
you, have heard nothing. Bat now that he
sends you to me, wish much to know. And
your banishmentf"
You know, then, what they did to met"
" Bot you, what did you dof'
"My father, II I Were to say was prRdent
but committed no bad action Wilfully."
4" believe you have always thought sc7
" Now then 1 will tell you ALL"
"WSit o moment"
He approached Q cabin, and called Ca Father
VictOr."
''Do me the favor, Father Victor" said he, eco
take my place in watching over our poor
patients for little while. II, however, any
should particularly ask for me, be 20 good aS 70
call me-"
The young friAr complied, and Father
here,1 said he. But" added he, "yOu apPsaZ
much exhausted, yOu have need OF fOod.1
TT iS true. Now that you make me think Of
it, have not tasted any thing to-day
"WAit, then, . moment.h He soon bEong6e
RsnsO bowl o. broth, from large kestls, The
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