Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-03-22
a Fallen Priest.

A tall man, smooth shaven, and Clad III
broadcoth of clerical cut, entered the Ma
tionaI Hotel, on the Bowery, night or two
since, and registered as "Mr. Ryan" His
top coat was open, and his inside one had o
close row Of buttons right up to the collar
which had square opening in front reveal
ing Roman collar "Mr. Ryan," as he
called himself, was In liquor. His tall, port
ly form staggered, and his eyes were dull
and heavy. He entered the reading room
of the hotel and seated himself in remote
corner. He wished to avoid observation.
But his Roman collar and clerical coat at
tracted general attention Mr.. Ryan finally
realized this, and he wound a handkerchief
of Belfast linen about his neck, concealing
the collar. About o'clock he gave the fol-
lowing letter 10 Thomas Doyle, clerk in
tbs hotel, for delivery to the blouse maid
of the Van Dyke House, Bayard street and
Bowery"
Doar Bridget Will you please give my two
yalises to bearer? A little later aud shall re.
turn you what the Van Dyke House says is its
due. shall also send you tho Prayer Book and
81 present to Mary. -,
/ am not we'll because | am not happy. With
Gods help. however, will be what always
should have been-the honorable gentleman that
| was and must be again.
You know what caused this-drink, Internal
drink / am 10 drunkard but can't drink with
moderation II I were with my friends could
readily stop on one drink, but here in New York
l can do nothing but walk the streets and drink.
never entertained an indecent thought since
came to it-hel though it be.
Say kind word for mo TO your mistress. aud
let her not think unkindly of me. Best wishes TO
Mary. Faithfully yours, MCCORMACK.
When the messenger handed this note to
the housemaid, who is bighearted Irish.
woman about 40 years old, she read it with
evident emotion. Her face became most sad,
and her eyes filled with tears. She nervous
ly bit her nails, while in great perplexity,
and finally she shook her head most sorrow.
fully. TELL him." she said huskily to the
messenger, that I'd give the vaises wild a
heart and half but the proprietor has taxi
On them in charge, and they're locked. |
myself would" But just then the propris-
tor stepped in and said that the gentleman
could have his vnlises when he paid what
RYAN was seated in the National Hotel play
ing forty. five. Whenever player uttered
an exclamation bordering on profanity Mr..
Ryan would copiously cross his forehead and
say: But, my dear man, don tswesr .Ifyou
| j
appointment about the play, why don't you
say as they do in Ireland: Be dad, the divvle
shoot yer or something 10 that style. But
you should not curse" Seated beside him
was young man whose face alao indicated
education. He electrified Mr.. Ryan BIZ
saying Tues Sacerdu" you are pries'!)
The poorly smooth shaven man hung his
head and tears trickled down onto the card
table "Utique," he replied, per deem
amos "(yes for ten years.. In the priests
room are priests breviary, a velvet baretta
folded fat and laid between two books, and
set of handsome pearl rosary beads. He
ia the Rev. NJ. J. Mccormack of Cashel,
County Tippsrary. Ireland. Six months
ago be was priest in high repute, but last
October he fell into obscurity. and since ar
irving in New York has giving himself over
entirely to liquor.-N Y. Sun.