Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-09-03

any poor man," he put the teapot on th
table and prepared to receive cordially tn
unexpected visitor.
The door was gently opened by iai
lady dressed in black. She was exceeding
" fair to see. beautiful in feature and car
rage beyond mcst women; but there wa
an ipexpressibe charm far bayond ever
that-a dignity and perfection Of manne
and appearance such as Father Wsrren hat
4 never seen before.
Advancing toward him she said in low
clear, ard most melodious voice: "FOrgivt
me, dear father, for disturbing you SO late
and on such night, but no other could full
fiI so well the mission which l ask you tC
undertake. Will you come with me tc
bring comfort and happiness to departing
and erring soul? and will you bring the
holy sacrament with you, that having con
fessed and beer absolved, he may go hence
in peace?"
"Dear lady," answered Father Warren,
II Eave not eaten since the morning. My
clothes ale vet through and | am very
weary. Another priest of God more wo thy
than l shall go with you"
"Nay, she said, looking wistfully at him,
81 pray you 60 with me yourself, for to
you was sent, and the time is very short.
I beseech you to come with me and make
no delay. By the love of the Blessed
Mother for her Son, by the love of that
Son for all His erring children, l implore
you come with me, and come quickly"
She pleaded so earnestly and tenderly,
and yet with something of authority in her
tone, that the father yielded; and forget
ting all but her anxiety and that some one
had need of him, he hastily put on a cloak
and left the house with her.
A strong, biting wind and sharp, sleety
rain made walking difficult and converse
tion almost impossible, 30 he followed the
lady silently as they sped quickly along the
narrow streets. Father Warren could not
but marvel exceedingly that the lady did
anything round her, but with firm tread
and head erect she walked calmly and
quietly though very rapidly on.
| She moved as one with set purpose,
while smile of hope frightened her grave
face.
AT last, after walking thus for con.
siderable distance, they came to one of
those quiet, old-fashioned squares, once the
chosen residence of the wealthiest Lon
| doners, but now deserted tor places further
from the crowded centre Of the huge city.
| She stopped at one OF the houses, and,
knocking firmly and decidedly at the door,
she turned round to the priest and said !:
81 have shown you the place and told you
of the sore need of one who lives there. 1
can do no more, and must go now. May
the blessing Of God the Father, the love of
God the Son, and the help of God the
Spirit go with you now."
She turned rapidly away and was quickly
out of sight, leaving the priest little be-
wildered at receiving SO solemn blessing
from a lady and stranger, and yet with
the feeling that there was nothing unsuita-
BILE or unbecoming in her giving il.
Before, however, he had time to collect
his thoughts or explain to himself what he
really felt about it all the door was opened
by stout, comfortable, respectable SER
want, who seemed rather astonished as his
appearance. ~ have been summoned to a
dying bed" he said; ''pray take me at
once to the ROOM"
The woman looked perplexed and an
swered: "There amt no dying beds here,
nor hasn't been this long time. Thanks be
to Heaven, we're all well in this house,
STRIP
"There must be some mistake" replied
Father Warren, 'for was conducted here
by lady who fetched me herself to the
very door, and was in much anxiety and
haste.o
'sThere's no lady got no right to fetch
any one here, and mistake there surely is,"
said the woman, rather testify; but looking |
at the priest and recognizing his holy |
character, she went on: 'tBut you had bet- |
ter come in and explain it to the young
m master-for sure am he wouldn't like
beggar turned from the door on a cruel |
night like this, let alone a holy man like
you, as is we'll known to the poor and
needy" So saying, she led the priest into |
a most comfortable room, where was seat
ed alone young man evidently waiting |
for his dinner, preparations for which were
on the table before him.
''This reverend gentleman have been led
astray, sir, by some visiting lady, and |
brought out of lis ONE, where better he
would have been on night like this, as
the streets to come to a 'ouse
where dying beds there is none, and moth
ing but health and comfort, the Lord be
praised. But 1 knew as you would not
with him sent away, sir, for the sake of
her as is gone, and perhaps you can put
him in the way to find the right 'ouse."
The young man smiled, evidently we'll
to the ways Of his faithful old
and, rising courteously, led
Father Warren TO a seat by the blazing
fire. "Why, you are wet through and
be said. cat least let me take
off your cloak, and rest little, while you
tell me how I come to the honor of this
visit"
The father could not withstand the ge-
NAL greeting, and sitting down told the
young man how he came there. As he
tried to do this, however, he found himself
quite at loss to explain the impression
the lady had made on him, and how power
less he felt to resist her importunty, OR
even to question her as to where she was
leading him.
His host was grieved and concerned at
the useless fatigue and exposure he had
gone through, and said; 81 fear you have
in your ready self sacrifice given way too |
easily to some charitable lady, more zeal
Gus than judicious, who in her desire to
do much has tonight at least done too
much, and made mistake in an address
which we can neither of us now rectify."
Father Warren shook his head So dIy, for
he felt how completely he had failed to rep
resent truly his calm and digniied visitor,
and he sighed as he thought how, after all,
her mission had failed.
81 shall not let you go out again till you |
are thoroughly warm and fed," said the |
young man, anu you muse just console |
yourself By the thought of the kindness
you ale doiag in sharing my lonely dinner,
and in gi7ing me the pleasure of your COM
pany on such q dismal night as this
The worn out, hungry man yielded to /
the cordiality and heartiDess of the bright |
yonth's manner, and soon they were to- |
gether as though they were old friends.-I
They seemed drawn toward each other in |
some mysterious way, and their hearts !
were opened, and they spoke as neither had |
done for years.
81 once belonged to your Church," said |
the lad in rather sad, regretful tones; shut |
l belong to no Church now. Since my
dear mother died, nothing seems of real in |
terest, and l feel that if she were, indeed, |
living in any State she would find some |
way to communicate with me, for Heaven |
itself could bring no inQ to her If I were |