The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-04-27
The CHARTREusE MONKS.
Lore md Legends Connected With tn.
Ancient French Monastery.

Lore md Legends Connected With tn.
Ancient French Monastery.
A native of Grenoble who has known
this ancient monastery and It's inhab
itants all his life. and has visited it en-
oavricr en- artistic and en- touriste al
al! seasons of the year, gives an &c.
count IN one of the French newspapers
OF some If the lore and legends con-
nected with its history. at is always
with u sense of fresh pleasure" saws
the writer of the article, that knock
at the hospitable gate of the monks,
behind which brother makes an ex-
animation of the arrival. in order to
weed out lady visitors, who are not ad-
mitted. And with what a formidable
appetite, sharpened by walk of six
or seven hours, sit down to table in
one of the three large halls bearing the
names of ancient French provinces, and
into one of which the pere procureur
Il believe that is what they call him)
shows travellers according to their
position, as far as the latter can be
judged of by their dress and their man
ncrs.
"ln all the three halls, at all the diff
ferent tables, the food is exactly alike.
1t is the price only which varies, those
who appear the Weather among the
visitors paying slightly more than the
rest As to the fare, it is always simple
but abundant, and deliciously prepared
that is to say, fish omalets, vepe-
tables and butter are an advantageous
change from the meat of the ordinary
table hote. The butter especially
good heavens, what butter it is!
vcritab!e cream, innocent OF the exist
encc of such q thing as margarine.
Then there is the inevitable little glass
of yellow liquor, which is first offered
as an appetizer, and then again handed
around as adessert. Nobody complains
of the fare, for at this place the liquor
is genuine and not like it is on the ter
races of certain large boulevard cafes.
II have heard an witness tell
the story of a lady who entered the
monastery, dressed in mems clothes,
at the side of her lord and master.
The fraud had been successfully ac-
complished, and the fair intruder
visited calmly the curiosities of the
cloisters which were shown and ex-
planned by lay brother. But habit
becomes second nature, and nature is
terrible habit. All at once the lady
in the dress coat called out, Pardon
me, brother, but where has my hus-
band gomez The poor monk was first
quite stupe!ied at hearing sweet voice
come from behind the stiff, white COL
lar, and looked terror-striclsen upon
the hypocritical overcoat and the fall
lacious trousers. Then some servants
came up, carrying an old armchair,
into which they put the intruder and
carried her out of the monastery gate.
Here is story which does credit
to the old General du Chartreuse,' who
is said to be most Independent and
stiff-necked among the followers of the
Holy Father. 1t was in the terrible
year OF 1870. After the first defeats,
which filled with surprise and with woe
oNCE bilc COuuUEys
some young people at Grenoble founded
a Republican society of young men
whose object it was TO assist by every
possible means in the defense of the
country. This society had the happy
idea of organizing stage play for the
benefit of the wounded, which was d
prodigious success and realized 1000
francs, an amount which the directors
OF the Grenoble Theater had never be.
fore realized.
I'VE had, before the play was per-
formed, sent number of tickets to the
various authorities and n0tabilities of
the district, among others to the Gen.
e!al OF the Chartrcuse, to the Superior
of the Je3uits. and to the Bishop. The
Bishop returned the tickets, but added
no money. The Jesuits kept them ana
forgot to pay for them. But from the
General Of the Chartreuse we got let
ter to tais effect: Gcntlemen, we re-
greet not to be able to be present at the
entertainment you are about to give for
the benefit of our wounded soldiers,
hut us we should like to participate as
much as possible in your charitable and
patriotic object we are happy to send
you Il cheek for three hundred francs
The graceful and gracious note was
concluded with few words of tn anks
Tor having remembered the inmates of
the monastery. London Times.
Preferred to Be Slave.