Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-01

on him with ulHeTent eyes.
The new prior bore his dignity so
meekly that he disarmed all hostility.
His great rule OF lie was still Hon soft
qui NAL y pense." and there is no course
more apt to conciliate respect and good
will. The Knight showed him favor and
esteem; the monks learned to respect
and by and by to revere him; bat he
never ceased to reproach himself and say
masses for the soul Of brother John.
The years rolled on. The Knights
gray hs;r turned white. and one day he
sent for the pyior aud said to him, Good
Father, have grave matter to entertain
YOU wilhal.
Speak, worshipiul sir" said the prior.
The Knight looked at him awhile, bnt
seemed Ill at ease, and as one that hath
resolved 10 speak. but is loath 10 begin.
At last he said, "Sir, there be men who
waste their goods in sin. or meanly hoard
them ill their last hour, yet leayo them
freely TO Mother Church after their death,
when they can no longer enjoy them
Others there be whose breasts are laden
v ilh secret crime they ought to confess,
and clear some worthy man suspected
falsely; yet they will not tell till they
come 10 die Methinks this is to be char
table too late, and just when justice can
neither cost man aught nor profit his
neig hbor. Therefore, not TO be one OF
these, will reveal to you now a deed
that sits heavy on m conscience"
You would confess to me, my son p
"As man to man. sir. but not as peni-
ten, TO confessor; for that we're no merit
in me it would be no more than to bury
my secret in feshy grave. Nay. wha
/ tell to you you shall tell to all the world,
if good may come of it,"
Here the Knight sighed and seemed
much distempered, ike one who wres-
tleth with himself. Then he cast about
how be should begin, aud TO conclude he
opened the matter thus Isis, please you
read that letter; it was writ by brother
John unto my wife"
The prior read it bat said never q
word.
Sir" said the knight, "do you re-
member a sad time when you lay in Nor
wich Jail accused OF murder and cast for
death ~
81 DO remember il well. sir, and the
uuchartabla heart that brought me to
tha, pass"
Whilst you lay there, sir. something
belell elsewhere which | will hide no
loager from you. The King being at bis
palace in London. knight who had
iopght by his side in France, sought an
audience in private. 1t was granted him
at once. Tnen the knight fell on Sis
knees to the King aud begged that his
lie and bis lands might be spared though
be had slain man in heat OF blood
The King vas grave but gentle. and then
showed him :hat letter and owned the
trulh-thst aud my servant, in our fury,
had straugied that hapless monk"
Alas sir. did you take up gilt upon
yourself to save my lie. so fully forfeit 7
Twas | who hated him-'twas | who,
flung the stone."
"Al a dead body. tell thee, man,
we strangled him and set his body up
where you saw it; hand in his death you
had none.
The prior uttered strange cry and
was silent The Knight continued in
low voice:
1--WE set him in the yard, and when we
found him in the porch. being half mad
with terror aud drink together, we bound
him Oh Tho horse and launched him. All
this told the King, and he, considering
the provocation, and plying so much his
Old companion 10 arms, gave me my lie
and lands. and gave me thine, which.
indeed Was but bare justice. So now, sir,
you know that you are innocent OF blood
shed. and Ills am guilty"
The knight looked at the churchman.
and thought to see him break forth into
thanksgiviugs. But it was not so. The
prior was deeply moved, but not exultant.
Sir" said he. like q man that Is near
choking, "let me 60 TO my cell and think
over these strange tidings."
And pray for me, do implore," said
the Knight.
CAV, sir, and with all my heart"
Some days passed and the Knight look
al 10 hear his own tale come round again.
But no the prior was silent as the grave.
Then after awhile the knight sent for him
AGAIN. and said, Good father. what |
,old you was not under seal of comics
sion"
IL know it, sir" said the prior. "Ye,
will it 90 no further unless l should out
live you, by Gods will. Alas! sir, you
have taken from me that which was the
health OF my soul, my belief that bad
slain him that hated so unchristianlike.
This belief made humility easy to me and
even charity not difficult. What engine
of wholesome modification would be lell
me now, were l to go a-prating that
slew not the brother that hatedP Nay
| will never tell the truth, but carry my
precious burden of humility all my days
"Oh saint upon earth" !" cried the
Kn;oh, "ontlive me. and then tell the