Catoctin clarion., 1892-06-09

can go to work to day
All the good folks of GrenouiIleviIl
were assembled in front of the churcI
in the large square to see Jean Renarl
hoist himself to to the top of the steeple
He had in his belt three bottles con.
tanning red, white and blue paints To-
the flag. and to his back was attached
the cock, resplendent in new gliding
He entered the church to pass by
window at the base of the spire.
When he appeared, throwing one O
his ropes over the first hook of tht
steeple. there was murmur of con-
sternation from the watching crowd
but terror became paroxysm when Jean,
near the middle ascent, almost lost hi:
equilibrium by the breaking of an iron
eaten by rust. The upturned faces
were pale with emotion, but the dex-
ferrous slater quickly grasped II higher
hook.
Nevertheless he was long in mount.
ing. 1t was nearly 3 o'clock in the af:
ternoon when lie touched the base of the
cross at the top of the steeple. He lashed
himself fast thereto, teet and body, and
began his first work-the painting Of
the flag. In about halt an hour cheers
and applause broke from the crowd
the national colors foated over the
steeple.
The hardest part was yet to be done,
the cock had TO 60 up. Two feet more
to mount and to crown the danger it
was the cross that had to be climbed,
that is to Say, mere bar of iron.
In December it is soon night; already
the watchers saw but family outlined
form amid the mists Of twilight, ard
and they began to grow uneasy. How
would poor Jean Renard manage now !?
He could no longer see to work, and
was now In greater danger than ever
before.
Suddenly small light showed in the
darkering night. Jean Renard, being
a careful man, had thought to carry
with him Il candle. Soon nothing more
could be seen but that tiny light gleam-
ing on high like a star lost in the
clouds, and the anxious crowd began to
disperse. Jean continued working.
Il
On the morrow, at dawn, the early
rsers of Grcnouillevllle saw trlghtful
sight.
Jean Renard hung. head downward.
from the top of The steeple, lis feet still
held by his ropes.
The unfortunate man had doubtless
lost his balance, and in falling his work
apron had turned backward, thus con-
cealing his face. He no longer moved;
dead, probably, some hours since.
The Cure, who was at once apprised,
his sentiments in intolerable
form
'Unlucky fellow! Well, at least, he
had put back the cock y
Yes was replied, but we cannot
leave the corpse up there; it must be
got down.
That is true, SAID the priest it must
be brought down. but who will do it p
That, Monsieur lie cure, is your bus
mess. Get workmen from the city, if
you must, no matter at what cost the
body of ean Renard must not remain
up there.
Get workmen from the city-that
was very expensive, and the cure hest
lated, but it had to be done. Just then
it was learned in the village that the
priest had pushed his avarce to the
point of trying to get his weather cock
repaired tor nothing, and feelings of
aversion for him developed in the
breasts of his parishi )ntrs.
A subscription was opened for the
orphans of the tiler, and the same day
100 francs were paid in; little, but the
people of Grenouiileville were not rich.
man had gone to the city, but they
asked 200 francs, and the cure found
hat ridicuIously exorbitant. So the
next day, the corpse being still sus-
pended from the steeple, the funeral
ceremonies were held in front of the
great church door, draped tor the oc-
,asion, and all Grenouillevllle joined In
lie last prayers for Jean Renard.
But to inter the body it had to be got
lown from its lofty perch. The fellow
citizens of the slater this time showed
great decisions They would have the
body. and if necessary would force the
Cure himself to get it.
When that person left The church he
'ound himself confronted by Il threat
,nihg crowd. |
NO, Monsieur lie cure. He shall not