The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-01-25
A. AlsatiAs rs Dss.


fhoA THE fkrNtH
Choir master Richter had scarcely I'm
ished his sapper when tvo rsps Of the
heavy door knockcr sounded all through
the lii,ie house which be occupied in a
quiet corner of NJ in Alsace.
Who could be knocking ai such an hourf
II was just half.past eight o'clock, aud
siaoa The occupation Of tho town by Ger
man troops the week before all the streets
were melancholy and deserted. even dur.
ing the day Tho inhabitants, ashamed
Of submitting 70 the Invaders. shut them
selves up tightly 10 their houses and sell
dom weut out except 70 market
Under such circumstances. therefore,
those two rsps at the front door were quite
startling. Richter graYely laid his pipe
on the edge OF the table, stretched his be-
numbed legs, arose and went TO the door
with msgisssrisl footstep.
what Is that you, Christel'" he eI-
claimed on recognizing the parish beadle
in the person OF the importunate visitor.
"What in the devil brings you here at this
timer"
Monsieur Richter. replied the beadle.
quite out OF breath, II really beg pardon,
but the Cure sent me. !"
why, has anything happened to him"
asked Richter.
Il don't think so, Monsieur lachter. but
he sent me to tell you that he wanted to
see yon at once--at once.
The poor beadle paused to take breath
after his race,
Are you crazy? asked the choir mas
ter. "The idea Of the Cure wanting to
see me at this hourr'
"Yes, Monsieur Richter, he must see
you at once was even told to bring you
back with me-
my God What can the matter be''
the musician thought.
And he bade the beadle take a seat ia
the hall while he ran up stairs for his hat
and cane.
Richter and the beadle traversed the
whole city Of NJ in silence. Only few
German officers, just leaving the drinking
resorts, we're still tramping through the
streets, trailing their heavy sabres over
the pavement.
The beadle opened the little presbytery
door with his key, and the choir master
entered to find old Cure Schlegel waiting
for him.
The Cure Schlegel was fine old man of
seventy. His long hair was snow-white,
and his ewes were frank and true A strip
OF pink ribbon attached to his breast tes-
tilted to his having merited the recon
pense Of fifty years of charitable deeds.
For fifteen years he had been the parish
priest OF NJ, and there was no poor per-
son in the parish that had not reason to
praise his kindness of heart
He was very pale that evening.
"Ah! here you are at last, my good Rich
ter" said the priest as the musician en-
tered, opening his eyes wider than nsnal
as if anticipating the surprise aw ntins
him Come in, and shut tue door care
fully after you.
Richter did so.
II wanted to see you very much, my
friend. said the priest speaking with emo
ton which he was powerless to conceal.
II wish to talk with you"
And to king the hands Of the musician
in his own, he looked fixedly at him, and
said.
"Ab my poor Richter, we are very un-
fortu late.''
Ri chter stood motionless as II petrified;
the priest after a moment handed him
paI er saying;
Here, Richter, read this; German
so ldier from the military headquarters left
it here.
Richter read
''By order Of the military governor OF
Nj the Priest Schlegel OF the Catholic
hurch is hereby enjoined to sing SOL
mn TIE Deum next Sunday at noon, with
rnusic, in honor OF His Majesty William,
King OF Prussia and Of the Royal Family,
and Of the German princes, his allies.
The civil and military authorities of NJ
! are hereby conyoked."
The choir master dropped into chair
without word.
"Wbat shamel what shame!" mur
INJURED the priest.
well, said Richter. aroused from his
stupor at last; "what do you purpose do
ing, Monsieur
After a moments silence the priest an
swered calmly:
"To obey"
| Richter arose to his feet and stood be-
fore the priest, clinching his fists with in
dignation.
"Yes to obey" continued Cure Schlegel.
I'VE are at the mercy OF these wretchss.
II only we're concerned it wonld matter
little, for an old man Of seventy is not
valuable hostage. and at my age one is
good for nothing. But it is not l; 1t is
the entire town which is concerned in this
matter, and the town is in the hands OF the
lGermans. II is our brothers and fellow
citizens who are concerned, and their fam.
lilies aud their interests must be looked af.
ter. We shall sing the TIE Deum; and that