The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-23

The l.ster, when they asoertained that the
and that the ruad was clear, went to the cot
tage of Lucy, and found that . perfect stiffness
reigned within They then returned to tho
Griso. He immediately put on q slouched hat,
with Pilgrims habit and staff, saying, Let
us act rs becometh soldiers cautious quiet,
way, he, with his company, arrived At the cot
tage, by route different from that taken by
our poor eottagers- Griso kept the band few
steps Of, went forward alone to explore, aud
seeing all deserted and quiee on the on tside,
he beckoned to two of them, ordered them 10
monrt very carefully aud quietly the wall
themselves on the other side behind q thick fig
tree, which he had observed in the morning.
That being done, be knocked gently at the
door, with the intention to call himself Pill
grim, " no had wandered from his way, and re-
Quest shelter until the morning. No answer
he Knocked again. louder /; not q sound He
! then called = third robber, made him also de-
soend into the yard, with orders 20 unfasten
the bolt on the inside, 80 that they might have
free entrance. ALI was performed with the
utmost caution, and the the most complete
some of them conceal themselves by the side
of those behind the fig tree; he then opened
the door very softly. placed two sentinels on
the inside Of it, and advanced to the lower
chamber. He knocked he waited-and we'll
might wait he raised the latch no one from
within said, who is there I Nothing GOULD
go better he then CALl6Q the IOoC0IS
the ig-tree, and with them entered the room
where he had in the morning SO villainously
received the loaf of bread. He drew out his
Ainr, tipder-box, and matches, and striking a
light, proceeded to the inner chamber 1t was
empty He returned TO the stairs, and listened
solitude and silence! He left two TO Keep
watch below, and with the Others carefully
assembled the stairs, cursiDg IN bis heart the
creaking OF the steps. He reached the summit,
pushed softly open the door OF the first room,
and listened if any one breathed or moved no
one He advanced, shading his face with the
lamp, and perceived bed; it was made, aud
perfectly smooth, with the covering arranged
in order the bolster. He shrugged his
shoulders, and returned to the CO npapy, made
a sign 10 them, that he was going into the
other room, and that they should remain
quietly behind, he did SO, and had the same
success; all deserted and quiet.
What the - this I" said he aloud !; some
traitorons dog has played the spy !" They then
searched with less ceremony the rest Of the
! house, putting every thing out Of ITS place
Meanwhile those at the door way heard light
step approaching IN the street,-they kept very
quiet thinking 1t would pass on bat, behold
IL stopped exactly in front of the cottage! 1t
! was Menico, no had come in haste from the
convent, to warn Agnes and her daughter TO
| escape from the house, and take refuge there,
| because-the beoauas is already known. He was
J surprised to find the door un bottled, aud enter
ing With vague sentiment of alarm, found
himself seized by Two rpfisp&, wao said IN 8
menscing tone, =" Hush DC qates- or you die -
| He uttered cry, at which one struck hin a
I
! on his sword TO inspire him with fear. The
| boy trembled like q leaf, aud did not attempt
| TO stir; but all at once was heard the first
| sound OF the bell, and Immediately after q
| laundering peal burst forth. THE wicked are
! always CO wards" says Milauese p-overb
| alarmed at the sound, the bravoes let 60 in
| haste the arms of Menico, and lied away hastily
to the old house, to join the main body of their
comrades Menico, finding himself free, also
fed, by the way of the fields, towards the belfry,
naturally suppoaing he would find some one
there. AS TO the other villains above stairs,
the terri BILE sound made the same impression on
them; amazed and perplexed, they hit one
against the other, in striving to find the nearest
way to the door. Nevertheless, they were
brave, and accustomed to confront any known
danger; but here was something unusual, ar
undermined peril, aud they became panic
struck. 1t now required all the superiority Of
Griso to keep them together, SO that there
should be 9 retreat and not fight. h
succeeded, however, in assembling them in thu
middle of the courtyard. Halt, halt" criet
he, pistols in hand, knives ready, all in order
aud then We will marco. Cowards! for shame
fall behind me, and keep together" Reducet
TO order, they followed him IN silence.
We will leave them, in order TO give &C
count of Agnes and Perpetua, whom we left a
the end of the little lane engaged in converse
tion. agnes had managed to draw the latte
of TO some distance, by dint of appearing
give great heed to her story, which she urge
on by an occasional Certainly; now l con
} prehend; tina: is plain; and thenf and he
I and you 7" In the midst of an important par
was broken by the cry of Don Abbondio fo
"help" Mercy! what is the matter" erie
I Perpetua, and prepared to run.
What is the matter what is the matter
5 cried Agnes, holding her by the gown.
; Mercy! did you not hear I" replied sh
> struggling to get free.
s What is the matter7 what is the matter
:. repeated Agnes, holding her firmly by the arm
Devil of womanw exclaimed Perpetu
;: still struggling. Then was heard at distant
> the light scream of Menico.
g Mercy" cried Agnes also, and they bot
n ran at full speed; the sound of the bell, whic
= now succeeded, sporred them on. Perpetu
g arrived first, and, behold, at the door, ION.
e Jervase, Reno and Lucy, wko bad found II
stairs, and, at the terrible sound of the bel
p were flying to some place of safety.
y What Is the matter What is the matter
3, demanded Perpetua, ont of breath, of ii
n brothers. They ans wered her with violeI
y pnsh, aud fled away. And you! what are yo
/. here for r said she then to Reno and Luc
,, They made no reply. She then ascended II
f. stairs in haste, to seek her master. The tW
it lovers (still lovers) stood before Agnes, VIII
Is alarmed and grieved, said, All you are her
lie How has it gonef Why did the bell ringf'