The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-03-11
NUMBER
THE
POOR GENTLEMAN.
CHAPTER i.

CHAPTER 1.
Near the end of July, lS42 an open colorAo
three high ways that led from the frontiers Of
Holland toward Antwerp. Although tho v0-
hicle had evidently been oleaned with the
utmost care, everything about 10 betokepsd
decay. Its joints wero opon, disO0lored, and
weather. beaten, and 1t swung from sida 20 side
| on it's springs like riekety skeleton. It's
pat ched feathers shone In the sunshine with
the oil that had been used TO freshen. them,
but the borrowed lustro could not hide the
cracks and repairs with which they were de-
faced: The door-handles and other parts Of the
| carefully polished, and tho vestiGes Of silver
plating, still visible In the oreases Of the orna-
ments, denoted o former richness which had
been almost entirely worn ont by time and nee.
The oalecks Was drawn by 8 stout, heavy
horse, whose short and laundering gait iusi~
mated very clearly that he was oftsner en-
ployed In the plough and cart than carrying.
his owner toward the capital.
A peasant boy of seventeen or eighteen was
perched on the drivers seat. He was in livery;
tarnished gold band adorned his hat, aud
brass buttons glstened on his coat; but the hat
fell over his cara, and the coat was so large thst
the driver seemed lost In it ne in bag. The
garments had been worn by many Of the
iackey'S predecessors on the box, and, In long
seriee Of years, had doubtless passed from
coachman TO oOaohman till they descended to
their present posseBsor.
The only person in the vehicle was q man
shout Afty years old. He YVES uDquestlonably
the master Of both servant and cabriolet, for
his look and department commanded respect
and consideration. With head depressed and
moody air, he sat motionless and dreamy In
his seat till be heard the approach of other
vehicles, when, suddenly lifting his eyes, no
would salute the strangers graoiously and then
instantly relapse Into bis former altitude. a
moments glance ct this person was sulloient
to exotic an interest in him. His face, though
hard and wrinkled, Was 30 regular and noble in
1ts tour, his look 30 mild and yet 90 earnest
and penetrating, his broad brow 90 clear and
lofty, that the most careless observer could not
doubt that he was endowed with the best
qualities Of human nature. Besides this, there
been . sufIorer. II q simplo glance at his
features did not impress one with q cOnviction
of this fact 1t was confirmed by the fringe Of
silvery hair that struggled over his temples,
and the sombro, melancholy FIRE that Rliu-
mered in his eyes likspthe last rays Of expiriug
hope.
His dress was in perfect keeping with bis
1t wss of that Eeat and eimpIo
style which always oharaoterlsss . man Of she
world who is governed by refined and elegant
tastes His linen was spotleSsiy white, bis
1hone smartly in the sunshine. Occasionally,
ss come one passed on the road, he might b0
seen to draw forth handsome gold BnuR box
and inhale pinch with so graceful an air that
IN observer would be convinced he belonged 70
,he highest GLASSES Of society. A malicious
BYE, it ID true, might have discovered by close
inspection that the brush had been too familiar
With his GOAT and worn 1t threadbRre, that HE
ilE bat had been dOctored to preserve its
ustre and smoothness, and that his gloves
vere elaborately daEDed. II an inquisItive
ritie could have pried into the bottom OF the
Tebicle, ho would have detected q large crack
q the side of the left boot, beneath which o
srRy stocking had been carefully naoked with
nk. Still, all these signs OF poverty were 20
'rtfuIIy concealed, and his dFess worn with SO
areless an air of opulenoe and case, that every
'Ody might have supposed the traveller did mot
mt on better clothes only becSnsO he had
' him for bad ones.
The oGlecke had rolled along rapidly for sbout
wo hours, when the driver Suddenly drew mp
t Q email inn on the dixie outside the city Of
Lntwerp. The lsndlady an9seSAQm instantly
allied forth, and by their ~ nd ntSsions
nd civility exhibited their marked Spectator
well-kBOEn stranger. s-7rga
'It's fne day, Monsieur Vlisrbech, ian't itT"
aid the dame ''yes its tribe wsrms however.
DON'T you think IL would be well for the high
rounds IL We had sprinkle more Of rain, Nom
ieur VIieEbeoki Shall We give the hoEso some
our coachmSn has brought his bay with him.
VilI you take any thing, Monsieur VlieEbeok ~
While the heoteSs was rppuFinR forth this
OTrent of questions, AonSieuR~De Viiorbeok
OF out OF the vehicle, and, entering the houSe,
the mOss Aattering compliments TO
ne dame about her good locke, inquired as to
le health Of each of her children, and finished
y sPprisiOg her that he was obliged 60 be in
Iwn Instantly. Tbereupop, shaking her cor
tally by the band, yet with . oODdeBcendiBR
r that marked and preserved the distance
esweea them, be gave his orders to bic laoksy.
1ds with farewell bow walked toward the
ridge leading into the city.
At solitary spot on the outer rampant Mon
eur De Vllerbeok stepped, looked round - II
see IL any one was observing him, Guated his
srmeDts, brushed his hat vita ahandkoEghief,
ID thon passed on thSOugh the Forte kease
to the city Of AntWeTp.
As be entered . town where heaWaa nkaly to
I'd himself constantly IN object OF nctsecs ho
sumed lofty carriage and self-satished aiEs