The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-31

brother keeper and was convicted aud
hanged accordingly. Previous TO his
conviction, however. he made clean
breast of it to Father Allard. confess
ing that be had murdered the farmer
for his money. killing ann. with the
stake cut from the hedge by young
Laroche, which. as he stated singular
~ enough, suggested to him the idea
OF committing the crime
Two years elapsed. and Father Al
lard had been promoted to parish at
a distance of some fifty miles from the
one which he had been pastor of for so
many years.
Shortly after his arrival there his du-
ties led him to take journey on horse
back some miles into the interior of
the parish of which he had charge.
Fart of the road travelled By him
wound through swampy forest re-
Sion; and, after n ride of several miles.
he came 10 sluggish stream that had
formerly been spanned By 4 bridge.
OF which nothing but the abutmenis
remained, however. The priest turned
his horses head and rode along the
bank Of the river, hoping TO fad anoth-
er bridge, or 1t least a ford. by which
he could cross to the further side; nor
had he gone far when he discovered.
by boot marks place where cattle
seemed 10 be ii the habit of wadiug
through or coming TO drink.
The water appeared 10 be shallow. so
he urged his unwilling horse into il,
and had got about half way across.
when the animal began TO plunge aud
struggle violently. sinking at the same
time. as II drawn down uY some invis:-
bic power Aware now that he had
fallen Into one OF taose quick-sands
which are not uncommon ia that part
OF France, the good tatner knew that
TO throw himself from bis horse would
be certain death. as the water was not
deep enough to swim In. ana the hum
cry sand At the bottom was gaping for
him. lie held upon his horse. there
fore. ami shouted for Lelp.
The water was gaining upon him. as
the terrified horse s7uS deeper and
deeper in the treac.erogs stream. Up.
up 1t came, untii t ycaeIad his saddle
flaps, and then his kuce-; and he had
given himself mp as iOSf. when distant
shouts came in response TO his. which
were gOluy feeuler VITA each repetition.
And now man bursts his way
through the bru,uwood on the river
bank, and. laylu- has axe upon tall.
slender young tres, GUS t down with
four or i've rapid stroA, s. leaning it so
that 1t falls down upoa the water, its
topmost bough> iust brl~hlng the sink
ing horsemuu IN is ia4L GraSping the
boughs with al his remaining strength.
the priest was drawn To the bank by
the woodsmau. ialntinE ami seuseless.
however. ami with hardly a visible
spark OF life.
When Father Atiard recovered CON
sciousness he found himself in "A small
but comfortable room Seeing him
open his eyes. buxom young woman
who was bathing his temples uttered
an exclamation Of JOY. calling him by
name; and now, as his dizzy senses
frightened, what was his surprise 10
tiud his attendant tue lost SpriJe. Ex-
PLANTATION ensued, aud all was made
clear as day without recourse TO mar
vel or miracle,
Presently Laroche. who had been en-
gagged. wi.H the assistance OF some of
the nei-ooor-. .iti cNtrioating the priests
horse, G. N la, aud The scene WAS an
affecting one }rtween tire two. each Of
whom iiad been thus wonderfully APP
pointed by Providence 10 preserve the
other
My conscience is clear now." said
Father A.ari. "liravcu has surely
pardonod taa lii;.e fiction framed by
me; else why
''But hold. reverend Father" cried
Laroche, iuterrupting him; there was
no fiction in the case. You said that |
was carried away upon an angels
wings. and so | was. and this is the an
gel that saved mei' Aud he. laughing.
threw his arms around the pretty vito
and hugged her 10 his SIDE
PoetIcal justice might now have been
we'll satisfied. bat have few words
further TO add upon the subject.
Laroche, who was now employed as
forester upon an estate, was enabled
by the assistance OF Father Ailard 10
return TO his native village, whore. not
long after. he obtained an appointment
to the very kcepcrship formerly held
by the assassin Landry.