The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-01-06
BROTHER GIOVANNI.

II am sure" said Brother Jerome,
"that we are not worthy of having a
miracle wrought for u.s." and he looked
at the little group of monks gathered
around the great stove in the Convent
parlor. Out of doors the July sun
shone brilliantly on the snow, on the
icy. mountains, and into the blue Gre
vases. Down in the valley the grass
was green, the trees were in full leaf
and the rhododendrens bloOmed, but up
in the little Convent of St. Agnes, shell
tered under rock, all was bright.
frozen and keenly cold.
perhaps not" replied Brother Isa-
dore, "but what have we? Have we
any relics. any pictures, any traditions?
We have nothingr' and he gazed at his
companions with the air of one who had
discovered a disagreeable truth, and
was proud of it. ..
"Ia am sure we are very comfortable,
said fat little Brother Guiseppe; "the
rules are not strict, the food is good.
and we have many kind and pleasant
visitors" 49,
1--WE have much to be thankful for. :"
said Brother Jerome, as he nodded his
head at the last speaker, land we know
that the villagers and guides all love
and revere us. and these Englishmen
who first climb the Jungfrau and then
write books to tell how they did it, do
they not all speak we'll of us? We have,
indeed. much for which we ought to be
thankful"'
''But what have WEI" persisted
Brother Isadore. What miracles for
holy days, what relics to show visitors?''
LET us have content" said Brother
Jacob. looking up from his missal. If
we begin to nave ambitions, and to be
greedy of honors, we are false to our
VOWS"
Brother Giovanni, a tall, serious monk
Of whom his brother knew little except
that he was an Italian. that he had
taken vows late in life, and that he had
once been in peril of his life on these
very mountains, smiled when Brother
Jacob said this. and walked away to
the window. 8 pefe
Il am sure" said Brother Giuseppe.
1.-THE travellers care nothing for relics il
we give them food, and our shelter often
must seem as good as a miracle to
them" tt l4t8 Ersr FfgT4
Il once saw" and Brother Isadore
became very much in earnest, ga great
vault built under q convent. In the walls
of this vault vefe cSlls. and in, each sata
dead monk. Each wore his gown, and
his hood was drawn over his head.
There they sat, silent, waiting for their
fellows who were yet alive. In the
corners were piled faAtastic heaps Of
white bones, all that remained OF the
generations who had sat in those
same chairs and who had in their
turn been removed to make place for
others. Have we any thing like thatp''
"No, thanks to the holy saints. va
haven't" Sid Brother Giuseppe. win
. shudder. I'd far rather lie under an
avalanche when ! am dead than sit RI
such dismal state a. Jthat!'' --.s9
1--WE are no worse of than other con-
vents. !" sid Brother Jerome. g.sThcre
Is the House Of Holy Shelter; they have
no relics, no mifuoles. - 3sz pal ssfsca ~
But they have" cried Brother
1sadore. They have the wonderful
picture OF our Blessed Lady, the Holy
Mother" sl.oas 80, Is ss,,,rf
"I never saw it;'' said Brether
Jerome, doggedly, for he had forgottsn
"How did they gst iti,1 asked Broth
or Giovanni. II think you meyer told
me the story. Who has seen ftp