Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-23

and one man had even begun new story,
when suddenly, and as if the crack of doom
had come, it was II o'clock. / was
NEVER MORE STARTLED
In my life. The trap.door from the Sleep
ing-room above opened like lightning, and
through it shot man who slid with whiz
down plank on the stairs and landed on q
cushion placed to receive him. did not
know whether had been hit or no. Every
lounger jumped for some place, and as for
those horses, fire seemed to shoot from
their eyes and their nostrils spread, and
with one rear and bound, which showed me
the under side of every hoof, they were IN
place, harnessed. buckied and all, and the
driver was in his seat with the reins in his
hands, Then when there is fire, off they
90, eager for the race. Sure enough, it had
taken Just one minute, and it had been
thrill. | never was filed with greater
sudden terror than when those
horses came galloping and enorting with
a tremendous noise toward me. Though
was expecting something of the sort,
thought they must have broken from con-
troll, and gave myself up for gone. The
sleeping room up stairs is model OF neat
ness and filled with small white beds. The
men 90 to bed and sink to sleep as sweetly
as Won or I, with no care or responsibility
on their minds, but let the little bell ring,
and sometimes, without waking, they
jump to the floor, put on the combination
of boots and pants, go through the trap,
whiz down the plank, fastening the buckles
to their pants as they go, and never wake
till they strike the cushion below. 1t
seems impossible, doesn't 1t? But they go
to every fire throughout the year, and
habit can get the better even OF sleep.
One day had notice that an acquaintance
was to Join the Sisters of Mercy. So
went to the Convent on Rincon Hill to
witness
THE CEREMONY.
The convent itself seemed ike e dark,
damp dungeon. but the garden within it's
enclosed walls beautifully green and neat.
passed through a dark and lofty hall, and
up some stone steps, then through q garden
walk and entered the side door of the
chapel There was a dainty and pure
white little altar, the pretties5 ever had
seen a gallery for the choir, IN which
there was incessant singing seats for the
crowded congregation and an enclosure for
the nuns, bat the sliding red curtain was
open now, and we could see within its
emptiness. Two priests sat by the altar,
and little altar boys in red and white went
to and fro. 1t was such an interval OF
waiting | looked about me at the Iuagnifi-
cent flowers many of the congregation car
ried, and then l heard q slight aobbing
near me, and recognized the mother whose
heart would not consent to give up her
daughter to the convent. Presently
small side door opened and nun in black
skirts and stiff white muslin about her
face, shoulders and head appeared within
it. Her face was white and had the trans
parent look of wax, her eyes were cast upon
the floor, and in her bloodless hands she
bore aloft q silver cruciix. She entered
slowly, and a certain space behind her
came another Just ike her, waxen, blood
less, dropping lidded, but carrying can
die then another space, and another nun
with candle then another nun, and an
other, and another, and another, and like
a procession of buried women risen in
ghost form, they passed silently about the
little enclosure and took place without
sound. They came TO me ike a cold wind,
unearthIy in its chill, and shiver passed
through my hands, while I felt fever IN
nv cheeks. On how could they make a
choice that should render them even in ap-
pearance unlike the world God has placed
them or ? And among them walked the
four novices, young, with fresh cheeks and
lips, and an ar Of health. They wore close
habited bonnets, and their hair was combed
back, exposing the temples ia their blush
delicacy. The questions and responses at
the altar seemed to be given in English,
but were so low they could not be heard
above the singing in the gallery, End then
by and by
FOUR HABITS
OF the starched muslin were brought forth.
blessed and put on but kept watching
the long lines OF nuns with dead faces, yet
whose lips sometimes moved as il whisper
ing to the eyes that were shut TO the
world. By and by the young nuns were
taken to each sister, and sort of pre-
sentation made. 4 strange little bow Of
salutation was given and received, then 8
kiss on either cheek, then q little bow of
parting, then on to the next-salute, kiss,
kiss, farewell, to the next and the next,
salute. kiss, kiss and farewell along the
line, and not a culver of emotion, not one
glance of the hidden eyes. not smile
through it all. Just the formal bends of the
head and the kisses-pure as snow, maybe,
but cold as ice. tell you, let who will be
a nun, don't want to- l drew deep
breath when l reached the garden again,
with groups of gayly- dressed people hurry
ing along the walk, chatting and smiling
together But was filled with strangeness
and awe, and / wondered how they could
Reaching the Convent again l entered the
parlor with the crowd, and here stood the
novices laughing and giving greetings,
kissing their friends as if they did not know
the warmth in a kiss. after all and all the
magnificent flowers l had observed were
showered upon them. 1t was just as glad
as a party. People were shaking hands
and saying "How do you, to-day p every
where. drew near the young sister, her
face wreathed in smiles. amid the swath-
ings ft for corpse. 90 Do you feel sorry 2
l whispered "Oh no, she answered cor
dislly. " l shall not turn back. Come and
see me after my time of seclusion is ex-
pred. 1t won't be very different with me
after all. I'm just going to teach right on,
you see. Good bye" KATE HEATH.
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