The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-01-02


to The pastor with a pantomime
which needed no Interpretation.
The old man was no coward, but
he had no wish to die by violence.
He arose and clad himself.
81 will go with you," he said.
They took him no farther than
his own church. There were flow
ers on the altar, and some one at
the organ. Then a procession en-
tered, led by a tall man of kingly
aspect. Then followed a young
man and woman. She wore such
costume as the royal brides Of
Russia wear. The bridegroom was
as richly costumed. They took
their places about the altar. II
was vision of splendor, such as
had never dawned on the poor old
pastors eyes.
Then the man who haG awaken
ed him, and who seemed 10 be the
only person present who under
stood Danish, addressed him thus:
Proceed with the ceremony,
sir pastor, in the name of God.'
The old man opened the well
worn book at the marriage service,
and began as usual. When he
asked the bride and groom their
names the interpreter gave HIM
two, which the pastor pronounced
after him, but could never after
ward recall.
The two before him, however,
made the responses correctly. The
rings were produced by the inter
prefer, and one was placed on the
BRIDES finger by the groom, the
other she placed upon his. The
marriage was completed. The
pastor pronounced them man and
wife.
And now a strange thing hap
pened. The pastor was seized by
the arm once more and led out
side of the church; there he was
bhndfolded, and his hands were
also bound behind him. He heard
terrible sounds from within-shots
lnoans, and a woman's shrek.
Then the doors opened and crowd
seemed to pass him. There were
steps on the porch and on the
ground beyond he felt the fold
of garments and heard the clink
of swords. This faded into ST.
lence; then he was once more led
into the church. The bandage
was removed from his eyes, and
where the bride and groom had be-
fore stood was now placed a coffin
draped in black. The men stood,
one at its head and one at its feet.
"Repeat the burial SERVICE"
said the man who had hitherto
spoken, "and your task is ended"
"I know not who lies there
SAID the pastor.
"That cannot matter" said the
other. Again he spoke III that
cultural language which he had
before used. Again his fierce com.
panion produced his pistol. The
pastor considered after all that 10
pronounce a burial service over
one dead, however he died, was
his duty, and he performed it sol
emnly. Then the great stone be-
fore the altar was turned back a
grave had been dug beneath it.
The men placed the coffin there.
All was over.
The pastor, more dead than alive
sunk into seat.
Then the door closed with a
clang behind the two men, and
The pastor, shaking with horror,
fled from the place.
He went to the nearest house |
and beat upon the door and cried
for help. They took him in and
him, but believed him |
mad. However, when daylight |
came they dared TO accompany |
him TO the church. An embroid-
cred purse upon the alter full OF
broad gold pieces, the candles
sputIering in their sockets, and
races of displacement in the stone
before the altar proved the old
man had neither lost his senses nor
had a nightmare. Then they took |
heart of grace and lifted the stone. |
lay the coffin. Opening it,
hey saw the body of a young man |
with a pistol ball i'm his forehead. |
The pastor bent over it and ut |
Jered cry.
Goods mercy on all Of u.s." he
:ald. "That is the young man | |
married 10 tie beautiful woman.
There is the ring the BRIDE placed
upon his finger. 1t is foul and
nideous murder"
But nothing could bring the vic
i'm Of heaven knows what Rus
,ian plot 10 lie again. They rein
erred him in the place before the
altar. As for the money they car
ned il 10 the seashore.
The Russian ship was already |
,ut Of sight, but The pastor threw
he embroidered purse. full of gold,
ar out, that it might, if possible,
follow them.
But the traditions say that from
hat time The waves rose higher.
rhe sand blew over the village |
more ihickly. The people found
unhappy there, and |
eft 1T. And the church began 10
rumble and fall upon the tomb Of
he murdered Bridegroom, whose
history will never be learned. Now
L is all gone-church aud house,
neor,le and scnuicher. bu. sill the /