The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-07-05
Romance of q Hospital.

st. Franciscus Hospital, a Catholic in
stitution in this city, has recently beer
the scene of very romantic occurrence
Some five or six months ago, youne
physician, son of prominent citizen o.
Pittsburg, obtained the appointment o.
assistant physician to the hospital All
he is a Protestant, some surprise wa.
manifested by those conversant with the
facts, that he should be thus honored by
a Catholic institution. He received NO
pay for his services, further than his
board and unlimited command of the
splendid wines and liquors of the estab-
lishment, which are as abundant as they
are good. Everything apparently ran
along smoothly and pleasantly to all,
until short time ago; when an event
transpired which has caused the young
physician to sever his connection with
the institution, the reason therefore being
this: Residing in the hospital were sew
eral nuns and sisters of mercy, who had
taken VOWS of eternal celbacy One of
these, however, happened to be young,
beautiful intelligent and attractive, and
the physician soon became deeply enam-
ored of her. And notwithstanding her
vows, the young nun soon learned to bow
in secret to another shrine than that of
the Virgin Mary; in fact, her love for
the fascinating young physician became
as strong as his for her. In the daily as
sociatiOn of hospital life they had fire.
quent opportunities for speaking in that
language which requires not words for
utterance, and eventually the young
Romeo prevailed upon the not unwilling
Juliet to renounce her vows and flee from
the citadel that restrained her ardent
young life. So one bright morning, not
more than week ago, the fair recluse
was not to be found; in the stiffness of
night she had flown, without even so
much as bidding her companions adieu.
The Mother Superior of the establish
ment was naturally exceedingly angry,
and proceeded to make an investigation
of the affair. AS the result of her in
quiries she accused the young physician
as having assisted in the nuns escape.
To her surprise he not only did not deny
it, but openly acknowledged that he had
opened the doors for the nun. And,
further, he insisted that he had perfect
right to do so, as he was engaged to be
married to her, and it was foregone
conclusion that. he could not fulfil his
contract if she retained the veil and a
residence within the circumscribed limits
of the hospital. The Mother. Superior
became exceedingly wroth, and informed
the physician that his services would be
dispensed with in the hospital. He re-
ceived the announcement very coolly;
and more than that, he told the irate
lady that he had made preparations to
go to Philadelphia, and SO soon as he
was established there he intended to
marry the fair nun whom he loved, ad-
mired and respected. The physician is
but little over nineteen years of age,
but is said to be young man of great
promise in his profession. The nun ie a
young lady who formerly resided on the
South Side, and is likewise by those who
know her much esteemed for her many
virtues as we'll as for her beauty and in
telligence. In this connection it is not
necessary to give the names OF either
parties. Pittsburg Chronicle.