The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-30
GERVASE
S30%EReWeReEHE@ @
An Episode OF the 18th Century.
THEODORE HOWARD GALTOS
GERVASE
THEODORE HOWARD GALToS
tCcntinued |

| Mistress Townshend led Father Wall into a
chamber where an ample break fast was set out,
which she insisted upon his eatin z, ,'pressing him
thereto the more, seeing how AbstemiousIy he
Partook OF the various meats she placed before
him, and how unwilling he WAS to drink any
| thing but water. As soon az he had satisfied
| him.
GOOD SIR she said in an imploring tone,
II know not wherefore am 60 strongly i'm.
PEELED to speak to you, but maybe the Lord
putteth into my heart to testify to His truth
to which l have always been privileged to
bear faithful witness in evil report and good
report. know there be some saints who hold
that We should never say aught but yea and
nay, regarding oaths rs contrary to our Chris
tisn profession. Nevertheless, l would ssk
you, my Christian friend, whether you may
not lawfully follow the Apostle Paul in max
| ing yourself to them that are under the law of
| ordinances as II you were under the law, and
| 60 gain them :"
My dear lady," answered Father Wall. "I
am certain that the holy Apostle of whom yOu
speak would never sanction my forswearng
the faith which he preached, and which I
have professed all my life long and for
which, forsooth would ask no better than
to testify with my life he did. If mistake
not, in that self same passage you have cited,
he goet6 on TO say, that he chAstiseth his
body and bringeth it into subsection, lest per-
chance after he had preached to others he
himself should be castsway," aud were to
deny my faith should indeed be worse than
the heathen"
sir" she said, struck by the sngelcal as peot Of
his beautiful countensnce as he spoke, " and
yet grieve that there should be these divis-
ions between US, and that you should be
blinded by your early training"
My good lady, could say the like to you,
but 1T were useless to enter into controversy.
We can pray for each other, and promise you
to pray TO our Blessed Lord to shed his light
upon your Soul. and lead You into His truth.
At least you grant me this, that, believing a.
do that Jesus Christ forbids me to deny Him
before men, l should be SHINING against God
were to yield this pointp
cannot bot cwn that so far you are in the
right, according to Jour We've and lights" sho
fal .ered.
Indeed, am resolved, by Gods graoe,n he
added, Ito make public profession Of my
faith, and bear testimony to the truth, even II
at the cost of my life"
tear ran from her eyes she turned from
gazing upon his gentle face. She remained
silent, as # collecting her thoughts, when she
heard her husbands voice outside and stepped
To open the door.
Let us return to the justice ROOM" said
Father Wall, following her out
Calling her husband aside, she told him that
she had failed to make any Impression upon
the recusaDt, entrestluH hun To deal lenently
with him, she convinced he was q
phone, GUdtearing man, albeit astrsy in his
views, and dOuotiess blinded by his early edu-
cation.
by heavens - exclaimed the Justice, az
will take him TO Sir John aud lay tho case be-
'ore him. If this Paplst bath even won thee
,ver to HIS side, there 10 no knowing what he
nay do with Dame Dorothy. But Sir John
Iimsell is no frieDd to reCusaptB, and between
IS we may settle the matter aS becometh the
king's Justices Of the Peace, for to say the
ruin DO less than two Justices be required by
he statute, for rendering the oSthB"
"Thou goest to Westwood Thou canst
,rDg back Dora with thee, for | would sS lief
iot leave her TOO long among q host of gallRnts,
eeing how easily her head is turned by q BIT
# hAttery at times, unless thou seeSt that
iervase hath come round"
"Gervase! Umph! DOst thou think that
ne will win him from Mistress Finch and
'operyf / have heard more about that Hec-
or than | eau tell thee yet" eIclsimed the
ustce " but, If he be there, perchAnoe We
nay get him to identify COR prisoner, for / am
lore than half p TsuAGed It's the very priest
hat stroye to eed9ce that young fOolhArdy
epbcw Of ours to Popery."
Nay, love, cannot think that this old man
an os 80 evil as you would make him out. Ho
,av have been bedUCed into error through
atiy training, bat We unust pray for him, that
n. Irue Light Of the Gospel may yet shine into
/, heart, Ior that he feAreth God make no
Do Ot."
On returning to the Justice-rcom, Mr..
owushend informed his prisoner that bis OBJ
cliOn was valid touching the inability of
nsle Jaetice to tender the oaths, and that
though a ready compliance would have
cnred his instant Liberation, yet that having
sds difficulties, and being an object of grave
spicion, he must prepare to accompany him
rtQith 10 Westwood, when the oaths would
, rendered TO him in due form, and his gnilt
innocence satisfactorily established.
Father Wall made objection indeed, as
himself hath nverred in \ memoir left under
8 own hand, he was rejoieed ct any oPportu"