The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-20
=
TR1-W,EEKLY EDITION.

Grand Republic, and lad passed from
power; and Louis Napoleon had been
elected PRESIDENT, and WAS a hi iready v
thinklng of beng %emperor ~ flen.s ,n 3
cola, clustering winter,s evening the
Abbe Augustine st. 3. .Armoi1ds NOV a
Whlte-haired old man, found himself on
g sGrange rOad, upon 4 the Southern
Roarder Of? the great Dournay Forest.
ne nad set out from Dijon On q journey
ChaU should have occupied week-had
seC out alone, on a good horse, not anti
cipatlng so severe a storm.
At length, fairly benumbed with cold
and fearful OF. the worst, he discovered
through the thickly whirling snow, a
light directly ahead. lie gave thanks
TO GOD, and pushed on, and very soon
ne came into the court Of large farm
mousse, the barns and numerous other
out-buildlngs Of which he could plainly
alstlngulsh. He had strength enough
TO SIP; from his saddle and kick with
nls 1oot upon the door. His abrupt
Summons was answered by man, who
came WIN lantern in his hand. The
sanne hao started to Cell his situation,
Wneh 0he man laid strong hand upon
ills arm ana pulled him into the hall.
TEL your story, man, where there Is
more OF comfort than is to be found ont
III the storm. Have you horse2n
upon receiving an affirmative answer.
the man gave the lantern to a stout
Doy, and bade him 60 out and see that
the morse had comfol table quarters and
plenty of food.
Then the able was led to large sit
ting room, where a bright faced, pretty
glrl, OF fifteen, or thereabouts, was set
Ting out the supper-table. The mother
was Ill the Kitchen, engaged in cooking
for the meal; while three children
younger than the girl first mentioned,
were sitting near the fire, two of them
engaged In peeliDg chestnuts. The
guest saw all this before he had remoy
ed his oyercoat. He knew not why it
should he So, but he had strange
sense of home-llke feeling. 1t seemed
to him as though he had particular
right to be here. Had the house been
his own, he could have not felt more
inclined than he felt when he had com
pleted his swift survey Of the comferta-
ble and cheerful apartment.
And during this brief space the host
had been as husily watchful as the
guest had been. The sacerdotal garb
had first attracted the farmers notice.
and then he looked at the aged face.
He looked, and a great light shone in
his eyes, and glow of happiness over
spread his kindly face. lie helped the
guest to remove his great-coat; then
caused him to sit ina chair, when he
went down upon his knees, and began
to pull off the wet boots, and chill,
damp stockings. Then he brought dry
stockings, and warm, soft slippers; and
very soon the ahha was as comfortable
"There, good father" the host said,
when he had done all that he could
think Of s'what more can l do towards
your comfort before our poor supper is
ready?"
"Indeed, my son." the guest return
ed, deeply moved, ''you have already
thought OF more than l could have
asked for. You have made my body
comfortable; and you have warmed my
heart, which is better than all else.''
The host bowed, but offered no fur
ther response; and after little time
the guest went on:
Your attention to my comfort, my
son, has more than gratified me- it has
surprised me. 1 am an old man, as my
frosty blow must show; yet you are the
first person who ever knott at nv feet
to do me SERVICE"
'AhP' said the host, with more feel
ing than the occasion would seem to
call for on his part, 1--WE may some time
entertain an angel unawarcs. have.
ere this, seen an angel In an abbes
garb." : o.
The abbe started. lie looked ear
nestly into the mans face, and the
truth burst upon him. 1t was the male
factor, whom, more than quarter Of a
century before, he had heiped TO escape
from the little old chapel Of the Mar
mont Castle. lie was about to speak,
when the other placed his finger upon
his lips. Then he said. in whisper:
"My wife, to whom ! will shortly
Introduce you, knows everything; but
not so my children"
The abbe understo oOd, and was silent.
Shortly afterwards the wife-Madam
Lamont entered. 81 am Jean La
mont" he whispered and then:
''Jean, whom do you think the storm
has sent to us?"
She saw the great tears starting from
his eyes and coursing down his cheeks;
and sho knew before he had spoken
another word. Yet he went on:
cit is--''
"Ihe AJJe Saint Armond?"s she cried
as he broke down.
Eyes, - said the guest, "I am the
poor abbe." . .#..,fs
She caught his hand, and pressed her
lips upon it. Then, to her children,
who ware looking Oh wonderingly, she
said:
'My children-once--a great many
years ago-when your father was in
mortal peril he would have been
dead man before another sun had set,
had it not been for the noble devotion
Of one man of all the world--in that
supreme hour the one man came and
saved him---and this Is the mani The
Able Saint, ,.Armondl Down on your
knee, my beloved, and bless himl''
And down they went; and while the
able wiped his streaming eyes, the bles"
sings Of pure hearts were poured out
upon him.
by the time the meal was ready all
had gained their composure; and while
they eat the host told his simple story
to it without referring to the old life
further than to speak Of the one and
only time IN the past when they had
met previously.