The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-08-16
THE PRIESTS PERIL.

PROLOGUE.
II beg Of you, monsignor," said the gen.
tleman, as the coupe drew up. Il beg Of you
to let me take you home. 1t would hardly
be prudent for you to go home afoot and
alone at so late an hour, with the proceeds
of our little benevolent festival about you"
THANK you, my dear sir" responded the
priest, "but tho money is for charity, and
who would think Of stealing ita Besides, il
1 am attacked am amply capable Of de-
Tending myself"
The vehicle rolled away and the priest
turned down Seventeenth street in the direc-
ton of the elevated railroad station without
noticing that no was followed by man
whose appearance was by no means prepos-
sessing.
1t was toward the close of December
Times were hard-very hard, and if here
and there q brilliantly Illuminated mansion
indicated that balls and banquees were
given by the rich, further on in the quarters
where the poor swarmed were cold, dark
ness and hunger. Indeed, the scene at that
place and instant offered a strange and
sadly significant contrast Before the
widely opened IGOR from which the priest
and his companion had just issued there was
a row of splendid equipages and throng Of
well-fed and richly dressed coachmen and
lackeys. From their thick coats and furs
they beamed forth, fat, freshly shaven,
Snug; tho horses heavily banketed, tossed
their heads with glitter and clank OF
brass and silver, and the warm and ruddy
light cleaned on glossy robes and costly
: trappings. A few yards below, the lean
and haggard man who watched tho sceua
with envying eyes shivered on the side walk,
ragged and wellnigh barefoot. The face,
revealed by the gaslight, not that of
criminal, but two deep wrinkles that seemed
channels worn by bitter tears, extending
from tha avaQ II own ri oava his faca the
appearance of being set in sinister grin.
Despair, anger, passion, fright-all these
had set their seal his countenance. He
looked at once wearied and furious, like one
who had long struggled in vain against I'M
just and extreme temption. He had doubt
less been q workman, certainly a beg
gar, and probably would be a thief, or
worse.
As the priest passed him the man suddenly
startei and recoied few paces, muttering
something hoarsely, then silently and watch
fully followed after him, keeping within tho
shadow of the wall
Had no heard the priests conversation
with his friends Probably he had. 50, at
least, thought two pedestrians who
passing at tho same moment, bound in tho
same direction.
THAT fellow means no good" said one:
che intends robbine, some one"
Or begging something" said his COM
panion.
II don't like his way of sneakin. along in
the shadow-it looks ugly"
POSSIBLY. but somehow he doesn't give me
the impression of being a scoundrel"
"Whewl why you have turned optimist.
oh, l see, you've made n conquest, chs That
little Cora, suppose. That is why you are
on such good terms with the universe"
"Weii, did get her to promise to lot me
take her to supper to night as her
theatre is out Won't you Gomez Do, and
on the road I'll tell you story about the
priest in front of Us there that is worth
hearing"
We'll no. Somehow think that | will
follow these two men, and the story out,
il there is to be any story You can tell me
about the priest at supper; will join you
and your enchanting Cora at Pailard's in
an hour"
"Done. Take care of yourself" and they
parted at the corner of Fourth avenue, the
last speaker jumping on street to rido
the few blocks to the Star theatre
The street was asleep and white with
snow. Not n breath disturbed tho keen air,
and the sky, clear mighty opal added
its milky uniformity to tho serenity
of tho winter night The monsignor
turned to the loft at Lexington ave-
nue., then absolutely deserted, walk.
ing rapidly, but with his head bant down,
if in thought. At Eighteenth street he
turned again to the right, and the lights of
the elevoted station were in sight, when sud-
denly, rs il by enchantment, the man who
had been stalking his footsteps appeared at
his side. Making spring like that of a
tiger, he caught the priest by the throat and
both rolled upon the snowy sidewalk.
The gentleman who had followed darted
forward, but Gro he reached them they were
their foot With one hand tho priest
held his asset nnt's wrists SO firmly that,
though TIE struggled and writhed te
free himself, he could not break his captor's
hold; with tho other he struck the snow
from his coat.
Il give in," finally said the ragged man,
in a sharp and bitter tone. he ceased to
struggle; II give init may well end
here and now. And as he caught his breath
he added hoarsely, and Us if talking to him.
self: THE little viii def they are
not dead that is ell"
The priest had not uttered single word.
Il give intake me to the station-house,"
his prisoner repeated.
my friend" said the priest, mildly, "why
have you attacked met"
The man in his turn silent
What has driven you to this crirnes"
1--WE have jabbered enough" said the man,
iiercely. Il don't caro- curse; take me to |
the station-house; you are stronger than /"
"Have you not "a vito and children who |
will be shamed by your madness and loft |
WITHOUT protection-perhapS IN distributions
Was it for them you -"
The wretch shuddered. Here" he said |
"rll tell you alL Three months and nc |
work; the old woman sick, three children |
perishins with hunger. a daughter gadling |
about the streets and going to suppers with |
gentlemen-well. Still work; the old |
woman dies; the girl goes to the bad. Two |
months more, and no work. l had earned |
80 cents in the last fortnight To night the |
children gave up crying for something &c |
eat and came out to steal u loaf of bread. |
didn't get a chance there were so many
people about. l legged, and they told me