Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-05-12
'Afta Darkness Consth Day. =
RY K. <. GRANr.

Il seems but a dream-the .long,
long ago;" but the memory of some
low. sweet song. with its minor caden-
ces; but the transient flush of an au-
tumn sunset when the crimson glories
of the hour melt away before the SOM
'bre shadows Of night. And yet, and
how viz div does each scene rise before
me on this chill winters evening, as l
sit alone BY my tireside, waiting. hop
ing, praying. for a call to the Home"
where my loved ones are.
A stately. red brick building looms
up before me, with its well-trimmed
grass plats, each side the paved walk
that leads to the imposing portico shad-
ing The main entrance. Here. massive
doors. like those of some feudal castle
of olden times. SWING upon their
hinges at the resonant call of the sol
emn gong which sends its dismal ech-
,oes through the long corridors. Ike the
groan of some giant monster in the
death throes.
A stiffness as of death reigns in the
large, square drawing rooms. with
their ingram Competing and stiff horse
lair furniture On each of the white
walls, religious engravings. in narrow
walnut frames. look down coldly upon
each unbidden guest that ventures
within these hallowed precincts, sacred
to the reception of His Grace" and
his tonsured aids; to the monthly meet
ing of the board of trustees to the
bejeweied DANES whom spasmodic phi
lanthropy induces, from time to time
to visit the good sisters, and to the rant
of charity.
One Il ght further up l see hundreds
of orphans bending over their tasks in
patient resignation to the DEGREES OF
fate that exacts from their labor pro.
portionately to their years. Poor little
waifsi From babl hood theirs is a life
Of unquestioning obedience to the black
robed nuns whose miss on it is to incul-
cate lessons of virtue, that the fruit
from sin blighted boughs may ripen in
eternal life. They are taught too. to
be grateful TO the public who sheltered.
led and clothed them. when their own
parents had turned them adrift. mother
less. fatherless, ave, often nameless,
upon the charity of the world.
How well remember wondering, in
nv childliEe way. if ever should meet
this generous public and be able to
thank her for my pretty cotton frocks
and heavy shoes that was my pride as
/ toddled along with the smaller men,
bers of the asylum, each Sunday, to the
big church where the organ pealed
forth its glorious tones, and the marble
affairs biazed with lights that made my
eyes blink. The priests in their golden
vestments, the long. double row Of altar
boys in their crimson cassocks and
linen SUPPLIES, seeming people from
another and a happier world of which
we poor orphans formed no part. Then
there was the sermon. when some one
OF the holy fathers assembled the pulpit
and discoursed learnedly about saliva
tion and eternal bliss. two words which
so impressed themselves upon my mind
that determined to get them the very
moment | was big. since they were of
so much Importance that the priests,
and the nuns, too. were always talk ng
about them. But All! the fear that
possessed me when there Numbered
forth denunciations aga INST wicked
sinners, and the priestly eye seemed
riVeted on me, as if | were specially
marked for reprobation, / trembled
lest he knew how tired | was; how
stiff and sore from WEAKNESS, and
how this together with the fumes of
the incense-la laden air. had made me
drowsY. Blessed relief when those
stern eyes wandered elsewhere. and l
could hear his voice growing less and
less distinct, until at length it ceased;
a delicious calm stole over me-and |
slept nv cheek resting against the
hard back OF the pew. But ahi the
punishment upon my return from
mass! The prophecies predicted for
my terrible imp ETY.! How sadly did 1
creep away 10 M bed at night and
wonder if really the good God would
Wreak such vengeance upon tiny
girl like me- And yet each Sabbath
il was the same offense, the same re-
primand, followed by a keen, but
trans ent, remorse of conscience.
One of such days stands out in bold
relief before me. We had returned
from vespers and were assembled in
the school room. 1. with the guilt of
impious sonionlence upon my youthful
soul. waited. like trembling culprit,
the sentence that would consign me to
SOLITARY confinement for the rest Of the
evening. Visitors came around on n
tour of inspeotiou. Welcome respite!
A lady anil gentleman stood in the door |
wa the former resplendent i'm a robe nf |
silken sheen. with sparkling Jewels
flashing from her ears and breast, as if
some Tiny stars had dropped from the
sky above and nestled there. Her
companion, distinguishing man,
stroked his imperial 1istlessly while the |
lady (eyidently his wife) conversed in
low tones with Sister Ligouri. His |
restless, coal black eye. in its wander
ings around the room. rested at length |
on me. Perhaps the steadiness of my |
gaze causesl this. for | felt Ease mated |
by til: handsome man. His whole |