New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-19
CHAPTER II.


some particulars of the childhood of Vener
able Bede. A. the narrative has net ye
been assailed IN any respect, the translate
hopes that the perusal Of the opening chsp
ter resulted in edifcation to some readers
and has therefore ventured to resume tn,
narrative:
After the penitent woman, whose remark
able cure WAS detailed in our previous chap
ter, had rejoined her family and friends, hel
zeal in ali the duties of religion was very
ardent, and che was loud in her praises Of
James Bede, the father of Venerable, be.
cause Of the f0rgiving spirit he had shown
when her m0cking speech was reported to
him. She went to him at an early day, and
told him she should never forget his kind
nese, and should always be ready to do any
thing in her power to show her gratitude.
Master Bede said he had only done his duty,
and would be quite content if the peaitent
would continue . devout life.
But although Master B-de seemed willing
to dismiss the matter, it had lett q deep i'm
precision on the mind of the bishop, who
soon called on Master James to ASCERTAIN,
irst, if he was willing to allow his little boy
to enter the service Ut the church. and, in
the second place, if such Q way of life would
be agreeable to the child. The father said
he had NO objection 10 allowing Venerable
to serve the church if he were 30 inclined.
and he forthwith summoned the child into
the presence Of the bishop, who said to him,
my dear child, have become very much
interested IN You. and have come to see if
you wouldn't like to be an acolyte, and as
sist in the services before the altar of the
church" The child replied, IL should like
such life very much, but fear am not
worthy" MY blessed child" said the
bishop, "yodr sweet humility dispels all
doubt of your worthiness. IfyOu begin the
service of the church ss an acOlyte, l doubt
not You will deserve rapid advancement. l
haven't forgotten the value of your wise
suggestion about the bath-tub; it proved you
. true child of grace, and if our dear mother
church can but hold . good hand of such
trumps az you, an sure she will euchre
the devil every pop"
So the negotiations were successfully
closed. Little Venerable removed to the
residence of the bishop, who assigned him
an apartment adjOining his own dormitory.
He also furnished him with nice rosary, q
crucitix and q ecapulsry. He further al
lowed the boy to enrich his bedroom with q
quill feather which had once aided the
flight Of the angel Gabriel, but which, with
tached by q heavy charge of buckshot
which was fired at him by I.ucifer, on the
occasion Of . personal conflict with that
dark agent of mischief.
Little Venerable took very kindly to his
new mode of life, and grew daily in favor
with his superiors. He. however, showed
such decided tendency to asce,ic prac-
tees. that the bishop found it quite as
necessary to eDjoin on him the observance
Of the church feaste, as he did to notify less
pious persons to observe her fasts. Before
he had been engaged six months in the
practice of . religious life, bis head was
with q nimbus OF such brilliancy a.
would have been creditsble to q saint of the
first class. Indeed, the bishop would some
times affectionately call him his little light
house; for whenever the bishop, or the Lord
Abbot Benedict (who presided over q
in the neighborhood) wished to
60 out on dark, rainy night, it was only
necessary to put the little boy on stills.
and let him walk in advance, by which
means they could see their way a. well q
1t noon.
Moreover, this brilliant nimbus of the
little boy was made . means of carving
riches into the treasury. a. the little Vener.
bile was often employed to head professions,
especially when grand presidential cam
paign was gong on. The party who was
fortunate enough to secure the light of the
to lead them was sure to be
successful. In fact, the little fellow grew
1aily in grcstnees and strength, and was
greatly pr. zed by all who knew him. There
ire so many wOnde, full circumstances "a.
'ociated with Bede that it would REQUIRE
n0Dy chuDt0r1 to recount all hia acts r