Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-08-10
AN ACCIDENT.

AN ACCIDENT
From the French of FRANCOIS Coppte
a male penitent It was a rare and ex-
ceptonal thing for st. Medrari but, on
discerning by the red light Of the lamp
| suspended from the arch Of the chapel the
short white blouse and heavy nailed shoes
Of the kneelng man, the AbbG Faber
thought it was some workman who had
kept his peasant faith and good habits Of
religious practice Without doubt the CON
fession he was 70 hear would be as trivial
as that Of the women of his humble parish
The priest entered very TRANQUILITY the
confessional and opened without any emo
ton the little green curtain Of serge which
closed the wicket
"Nonsicu ie cure" said a rough voice
which forced itself to speak low.
81 am not curate, my friend, say your
confiteor' and call me mon pere.'
The man, whose face bathed in shadow
Father Faber could not see, repeated slowly
the prayer that he seemed to recall with
| difficulty; then he continued in a hollo"
voice
"Noa ptrc, excuse me if do not speak
| as ! ought, but have not been TO confes-
sion for - years not since left the coun-
| try. | was no worse than others, ! said to
myself, but today have that upon my con
science which is too heavy to bear alone
and must unburden myself 10 you.
II am murderer ~
| The priest sprang from his seat. A muir
derer This head, so near his, had con
ceivcd aud borne the thought of a crime
tho>" hands clasped before him were per
| haps still soiled with blood
In his uneasness, in which was little
terror, Fr Faber uttered only these me
| chanical words -
Comics yourself, my son The mercy
of God is infinite
Listen, then, TO my story said the
man with an accent of profound sorrow. IL
am n mason, and came 70 Paris % years
ago with "A friend, a comra1e from child
| hood.
I'VE robbed birds nests together, and
| learned to read at the same school-eIactly
AS brothers His name was phip-mine
| is Jacques lie was a tall and beautiful
| boy ! was always clumsy and il-built.
! There was no better workman than he. |
was only mediocre he was good, brave,
wearing his heart upon his sleeve. | was
proud to be his friend-to walk beside him
proud to have him tap ue on the back
| calling me a great beast. loved him be
cause ] admired him
when we arrived at Paris, what luck
| We we're engaged by the same master but
in the evening he left me alone three fourths
Of the time he went to amuse himself with
other comrades.
1T was very natural at his age he loved
pleasure he was free, he had no cares as
for me, could not do this. | was forced
to save for had still my infrm mother in
the country, and | sent her all my savings.
Il lodged with woman who took masOns
to board. but Philip went elsewhere, as the
place was not gay enough for him.
The woman was an unfortunate widow
to whom my board rendered service, and
then, to be frank | had fallen deeply in
love with her daughter. Poor Catharine
You will soon know what came of it all
remained three years without being able
to avow that had this friendship for her
have told YOU that was only n fair work
man, and the little that | gained was scarce
Is sufficient for myself and for that which
| sent to my mother no chance to think of
establishing myself.
AT last my dear mother went TO heaven
was less embarrassed, l placed some
savings aside, and when it seemed sufficient
to commence housekeeping | spoke to Cath
arine of my love
AT first she said neither YES nor no
knew well that she would not rush and
throw her arms about my neck-I was not
an attractive young fellow.
Meanwhile, Catharine consulted her
mother, who esteemed me as a fair work
man, as a good man, and the marriage was
arranged
"Ah had a few happy weeks.
Il saw that Catharine had only accepted
me that she was not attracted toward me
hut as she had a good heart, / was hoping
to make her love me well some day.
"Of course l had told Philip, whom
met each day at our work and when Cath
arne was my iancGe l wished him to be
come acquainted with her.
"You have, perhaps, already divinol
that which followed, mon psre.
philip was a handsome man, very gay
e very lovable, all which was not, and with
out intending it, very irnocently, he made
, Catharine in love with him,
"Ah a frank and honest heart had Cath
arine, and as soon as she knew what sh'
felt she told me Immediately.
g "Ah! | shall never forget that moment
1T was Catharines birthday, and t.
r please her | had bought jewel of gold
I, prcttily arranged in box with some cotton
eve were alone, and she was serving
me my dinner. | drew the box from m
pocket l opened it and she burst int
tears.
j. "'Furgive me, Jacques said she to me
# and keep that for her whom you will mar
r rv. | love another ! love Philip = Sure
+ ly / had sorrow then, mon pere; hay
II had it all my life.
But what could do since loved ther
both That which believed to be for thei
happiness, marry them to each other. A
Philip had enjoyed life as he went along
and had little money, | lent him my saving
to buy furniture. They were married, ar
all went well the first year they had Ii
tie boy whose godfather | became, an
whom named Camille in remembrance {
my mother
"Soon after his birth Philip commence
to live an irregular life, had been decei'
ed in him. He was not made for marriag
he loved pleasure and merry making tc
T. we'll.
"Nou live in quarter of poor peop
mon JIfrc, you ought to know this sad hi
tory 10y heart-the workman who glides Ii
tie by little into idleness and drunkenness
who leaves his work two or three days
' each week, who returns home only to MAX
ii scenes and to beat his wife.
"Ah, well in less than two years Phil
.r had become one of those wretches.
5, "In the beginning tried 10 make hi
better, and sometimes ashamed of his col
III duct, he tried to reform but that did III
last long, and then my remonstrances fiji
ished by irritating him, and when went
his house and he saw my sad looks upC
the dismantled room, and upon poor Cath
rine, thin and pale by sorrow, he becan
furious.
Zone day he had the audacity to make
scene of jealousy concerning his WIFE wi
is as pure as the Virgin, recalling TO II
that had loved her formerly, and accusiI
m me of still doing so. ] should be asham
to repeat his words, All, that day we ju
missed springing at each others throats,
:, 81 did that which l ought ] renounc'
seeing Catharine and my godson. As
Philip, / encountered him only by chanC
"S when we were employed upon the sar
work.
However, you will well understand tn
had too much affection for Catharine al
for little Camille TO lose sight of the
wholly
Sabbath evenings, when ! knew Phi
was with his comrades spending the lit
he had earned for drink, | stroled in th
quarter. met the child, | made him tai
and If there was too much misery IN
house, he did not return with empty hanC
| believe the miserable Philip knew that
aided his wife and that he closed his ey'
he finding it very convenient TO himself
ne "But | must shorten my story, for 1t
no too affecting. Years passed-Philip plur
hu ing still deeper in vice but Catharil
rec whom had aided as much as | could, II
brought up her son, aud he is now beau
M full hoy of 20 years, good and courageous
she. He is not workman. He IS "