Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-06-20

gold piece, the first that had been seen
in that miserable abode.
The next day and on many following
days Je me de Bicard visited the inva-
lid and the poor widow was never again
| in want.
But Marguerite, wasted by disease,
Dy suffering and privation, was unable
TO continue the battle Of life, and a
month afterwards she died in the arms
of her son.
Francois vowed eternal gratitude to
Jeanne. Thanks to the kindness of the
young girl, his mother had died, not in
wretchedness and squalor, but sur
rounded with every comfort.
| Jeanne, touched by the young shep-
| herds devotion to his mother and by his
frank manner, did not wish TO abandon
him to his fate, and, through her
fathers influence, she secured his adj
mission as lay monk to the convent of
the Jacobins at Toulouse. This was the
best fortune that could befall young
peasant at that time, for in the convent
he would be educated and, later, accord
ing to his inclinations and his ability,
he would be made a lay brother or a
priest.
During the winter Of 1889, following
FrancOis's entrance into the convent,
Jeanne de Sicard went to Toulouse to
live. She attended high mass every
Sunday in the chapel of the convent of
the Jacobins, where people crowded to
hear the famous preachers, and to see
the service celebrated with pomp that
was observed at none of the other con-
vents in the city.
Francois, in these ceremonies, filled
the role of acolyte or censer-bearer, car
rying the tall silver candlestick or swing
filed the chapel with the pungent odor
peculiar to oriental perfumes. Often,
also, he accompanied the monk who
made the collection. When he passed
Jeanne de Sicard Francois never failed
to raise his eyes to his benefactress, and
she made a sign, imperceptiblee TO
others, which never escaped the youth.
Throughout the winter this little by
play was renewed each Sunday, but
when spring came jeanne returned to
her chateau at Croix- Daurade and the
poor young monk had to pass and repass
the pew which she had occupied. His
sorrow was all the keener because he
could not confde it to her who had
caused it.
In the month OF February, 1890, came
the decree of the Constituent Assembly
abolishine ecclesiastical VOWS and open
ing the doors of the converts.
Many Of the monks ayailed them /
selves Of the liberty afforded them by
the Revolution; they cast their VOWS to
the winds, shaved their boards, and dis.
carded their gowns preparatory to enter
ing civil life.
Francois, who was about to be receiv- |
ed as a novice, having attained his six
teenth year, had begun to feel that the
life Of religious recluse was not his
vocation, and he also left the convent.
Thus it happened that one morning he
found himself in the streets of Toulouse,
having only the few francs given TO
each person who abandoned conyentual
life
But what was he to do without parents,
without acquaintance, without friends,
without any one who could give him a
helping hand
He thought of going to see his bene-
factress, Jeanne de Sicard, at her cha
teau, but he did not dare do so. What
would she think of his conducts What
welcome would she give to one who had
cared so little to keep the position she
had secured for him
He was considering various plans
when at a corner Of the street his atten-
ton was attracted to placard stating
that youths We're wanted for the drum
corps of the National Guard in course
Of formation.
At that time the drummers were not,
as now, soldiers belonging to the army,
but boys between the ages OF thirteen
and eighteen years, who went before the
regiments beating marches.
Francois went to the town hall, where
he was at once enrolled, and in the
evening he received his uniform and his
lrum.