Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-07-15

lovers through the hair r-dresser that came
every day to assist the young lady IN her
toilet.
One morning in May all this ended. A
family carriage containing an old gentle
man and his daughter stopped near the
wharf occupied by West Indian schooners
and both alighted A number Of trunks
were carried on board the Tres Hermanos,
and that fleet little vessel was soon on its
way down the river, bound for Porto Rico
Two months subsequent young gentleman,
well recommended, entered the college at
Grand Coteau to study for the priesthood,
and by coincidence society at the same
time missed Raoul Chappelles.
III
With the budding of trees and the first
warm breezes from the south, Lent Of 1885,
was ushere1 in and all good Catholics
crowded the cathedral to hear the gifted
father who had just taken charge The
reports of his elOquence had been such that
it was said another Masillion had come to
earth. His fervent sermons produced quite
q religious excitement wherever he went,
and New Orleans was not slow to pay him
homage His success here was not less
than elsewhere, and never before had such
congregations filled the old edifice
Benevolent ever attentive to the wants
of his flock, and leading the life almost of
saint, he so endsared himself that his parish
ioners looked upon him not only as a relig-
ious adviser, but warm friend The success
of his first sermon was not abated by the
many that followed, and two years after he
had taken charge his popularity was un-
bounded.
1t was about this time that a lady in re-
duced circumstances opened little store on
st. Ann street, aad for awhile supported
herself by the sale of Artificial flowers and
giving music lessons 1t was reported that
she had relinquished all right to large
legacy conditioned that she should never visit
LOui lana, and had come to New Orleans
on account of former pleasant associations.
There were many rumors ahoat as to the
reason of this sacrifice but the little lady
evaded all questions, and the gossipers were
left to surmise. She attended church regu-
larly never failing to be there when the
good father preached, but always left just be-
fore service was over. This had been no
ticed by many. Once she met the father
in the alley below the cathedral almost face
to face She hastily drew her viel down
and hurried by him while the beguiled pere
walked on entirely unconscious Of the little
womans efforts to hide her face.
Years passed and the trade in altar can
dies had become one of the recognized indus
tries of that section of the city. OF morn
ings the neatly dressed proprietress of the
establishment could be seen deftly at work
ornamenting those tall ones of wax, putting
on here leaf and there bit of silvered
paper until they grew into gorgeous affairs.
One evening the shutters of the front win
dow, wherein were exposed numbers Of
these candles, were put up earlier than usual
1t was remarked that an old negro woman
performed this labor, and not the little Nile
Pierrette.
Then it was reported that the little lady
with the white cap and fchus across the
way was very sick As it grew darker the
wind began to blow, bowling under the
caves, whistling through the ratings OF
Jackson square and moaning up among the
bells in the cathedral spire At first it
caught up the loose bits of waste paper
lying around French market, until the air
was filed with focks of wingleSs paper
birds. Then it grew more savage and dug
into the interstices of the square block
pavement and scraped out every loose par
ticle of dust and sent it skurrying in clouds
down St. Ann street Then came the rain,
big drops at first, followed by drenching
torrents. The sacristan was called down
stairs by q ring at the rectory bell.
woman was dying and needed the priest.
Through the Storm guided by the old
negress, the father made his way slowly,
and was not sorry to find that he had not
far to 60 He went into the little candle
store ON st. Ann street, where he performed
the last sad offices to the unconscious little
proprietress of the establishment. The negro
woman said afterward Mile. Pierrette gave
a start as the priest entered and tried to
talk-that was all
In the old mahogany armoir amongst the
pile of snowy white linen was found let
ter, which puzzled those who opened it.
1t read My name is Hortense Dularge,
and not Mile. Pierrette. My love brought
me back to Louisiana, but it was too late.
The only glimpse we have of heaven on
earth is through true love reciprocated.
Fate denied me that. Show this to Father
-, and he will understand / leave all
my property to the church"
1t was signed with firm hand and
sealed
The funeral was very impressive and the
sermon one of the most touching ever
preached, for old memories were awakened
in the heart of the gentle priest, memories
he had long since buried. The little candle
makers own candles shed a soft radiance
on altar and chancel, but like her life they
at last fickered and went out and the cathe
dral was left in darkness E. Whit
ney in Times Democrat