New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-18

wich castle. So the rude gallows was
up at seven O'Clock. and ct eight
ther Richard must hang and turn in the
like . weathercock. w.
ut before the fatal hour . ki0g'e mee-
ger gallOped into the city and spurred
the courtyard Of the castle. Very soon
sheriff was reading parchment signed
The kings own hand; the gsllovs was
en- down, and the people dispersed by
rees. Some felt ill-used. They thought
Ointments should be kept, or else not
be. ..--..,- ,...-' 20. !.
II night Friar Richard, not rsprieved,
to the amazement Of smaller function
be. freely pardoned BY his sovereign. 10
dwriting, q houee-mald of this day
hid blush for, but with y glorious seal
size of an apple-fritter. crept forth into
night, and, gliding along the streets
b his head down, slipped into the priory,
was lost to the world for many long
Indeed, he was confined to HE cell for
onth by order of the prior, and ordered
bray thrice day for the soul OF Brother
~.
When Brother Richard emerged from his
he Was changed man. He had gath
q, amidst the thOrns of tribulatiOn, the
blssome fruit of humility and the i'm
ftal flower of charity. Henceforth no
Ter word fell from his lips, though for
e he had many provocasione, and "Hom'
qui NAL y pense' was the rule OF his
ut. He made himself Of little account,
outlived all epmities. He lived much
bis cell, and prayed 90 often for the soul
Brother Jehn that at last he got to love
dead whom he had hated living.
lime rolled On. The knights hair turned
w. and the good priOr died.
Then there was a great commotlOn In the
le priOry, and three or four OF the lead
friars each hoped to be prior.
That appointment lay with Sir Thomas
bingham. He attended the funeral of the
prior, and then deeired the eub-priOr to
vane the monks. Good hrotherf, said
"your prior is Brother Richard. 1prsy
to invest him forthwith, and yield him
love and obedience"
The knight retired, and the monks stared
each other awhile, sud then Obeyed,
Zee there wac no help for if; they invested
Dtber Richard in due form; and such is
magic of station that. in one moment,
y began to look on him with different
The new prior bore his dignity - meekly
kt he disarmed all hostility. His great
)e OF. life was still Honi SOFT qui NAL
asc, and there is no course more apt 10
bciliste respect and good will. The
light showed him favor and esteem; the
bnks learned to respect and by-and.by to
ere him; but he never ceased to reprOach
nself and say masses for the Soul Of
other John.
The years rolled on. The knights grey
ir turned white; and one day he sent for
prior, and said to him, "GO0d father, l
We grave matters to entertain you with
f.Speak, worshipful cir" said the prior.
IRE knight looked ut him . while, but
kmed ill 1T ease, and as one that hath re-
we'd to speak, but 10 loath to begin. At
It he said: Sir, there be men that Waite
eir goods in sin, or meanly hoard them
b their last hour, yet leave Them freely to
bther Church after their death, when they
nno longer enjoy them. Others there be
hose breasts are laden with secret crime
ey ought to confess, and clear some
krthy man suspected falsely; yet they
HI not tell till they come to die. MethiDks
lie is to be charitable too late, and just
ben justice can neither cost . man aught
br profit his neighbor. Therefore, not to
one of these, l will reveal to you now .
Jed that sits heavy on my conscience"
.You would confess to me, my sonp
"As man to man, sir, but not as penitent
3; it would be no more than bury my
cret in f1eehIy grave. Nay, what l tell
yop, you shall tell to all the world, if
bod may come of it."
Here the knight sighed, and seemed much
stem pered, Ike one who wrestleth with
5mself. Then he cast about how he should
egin, and to conclude he opened the mat
III thus: "Sir, please you read that letter:
was writ BY Brother John unto my wife. "
The prior read it, but said never word.
"Sir," said the knight, "dO you remember
sad time when you lay in Norwich all &C.
heed of murder, and cast for deathP
II do remember it well, sir, and the nm
haritable heart that brought me to that
has,"
.'While you lay the e, sir, something be-
II else where, which l will hide no longer
om you. The king being at his palace in
ondon, q knight who had fought eide by siGe
France sought an audience in private. 1t
"a granted him 1t once. Then the knight
N on his knees to the king, and begged
bat his life and lands be spared. though he
Ia claim q man in heat of blood. The
log WAS grave but gentle, and then
showed him that letter, and owned the
|uth, that l and my servant, in our fury
Id strangled the hspiess monk"
"Alas! sir, did you take my guilt upon
burself 20 save my life. so fully forfeit
Twas who hated him; twas who Hung
Ie stone" ..
"At a dead body. I tell thee, man, we
han yled him, and set his body where you
kw il; hand in his death you had none" .'
The prior uttered strange cry and was
3lent. The knight continued, in lew
bice:
"We set him in the yard; and when we
Sund him in the porch, being hail mad
ith terror and drink together, We bound
I'M On the horse aud launched him. All
Ris told the king, and he, considering the
revocation, and pity ing too much bis old
bm panion in arms, gave me my life and
hide, and gave me thine. which, indeed,
las but bare Justice. So now. cir, you
now that you are innocent OF bloodshed,
bd it's am guilty.
/ The knight looked at the churchmAn,
nd thought to see him break forth into
hankseivings. But it was not so. The
kior was deeply moved, but not exultant
Sir" said be, like o man than is neal
bokipg, '.let me 60 to my cell and think
yer this strange tidings."
"And pray for me, do implore you,
lid the knight.
"Ay. sir, and with my heart"
Some days passed, aad the knight looked
) hear his own tale come round again
int no; the prior was silent ~ the grave
hen after q while the knight sent for him
eaip, and said, Good father, what told
cu was rot uuder seal of confession"
II know it, sir" said the prior. yet
in it go no further. unless should outlivt
uu by Gods will. Alas! sir, you have taker
kom me that which was the health OF my
pul, my belief that l had slsin him hatec
b unchristian like. This belief it made
umility easy to me, and even charity moi
litficult. What engine of wholesome NOR
t6cation would be left me now. we're 4 :;
d a-pratipg that slew not the brother
Sated? My, l will never toll the truth
Mt carry my precious burden OF humi'it,
Il my days."
! "Oh, saint upon earth!' cried the knight
JOutlive me, and then tel the truth"
The monk replied not, but ponderet
hese words.