St. Paul daily globe., 1892-08-16

There is new fad in town. cit has
been here only short time; but its
popularity is spreading rapidly, and ere
long it will, if the present rate OF In
crease hold, have following of large
proportions and, too, of excellent quail
ity, tor only maidens are eligible to Its
membership. 1t is known as the SAINT
Joseph creed. Its devotees do not call
it fad-tbat were, in their minds, al
most tantamOuHt to Sacrilege. 1t has
reason for its existence and result fol
such as obey its rules and regulations.
They are simple enough, and proof Is
not wanting-it one of its youngest anC
fairest followers is to be believed-oi
their efficacy.
"Its this way" she said last evening,
after revealing the secret, after first
eXacting solemn pledge of secresy. OF
her Identity. Marriages are no: in
creasing in just proportion to popula-
ton. 1t isn't that we girls are partIcu-
larry anxious TO get married. Not at all.
Only the good of society requires that
there should DC no falling off. why
there has been a falling off, | don't
know. | only know that there has been.
There are just as many girls as there
used TO be-more III fact. And they are,
believe, as charming as ever. The
same holds with the young men. But
somehow the right ones don't seem TO
get together"
"Or. perhaps, from so many charming
ones, the young would-be benedicts find
too difficult to choose, and -!"'
''No, it isn't that. It'S-but | don't
y,r,n nf N it,rr hnd tn
be done. Several of us just got together
few months ago and resolved upon it.
We appointed committee and the COM
mittee reported last Saturday in favor
of the ST. Joseph creed. They found it
in that pretty little French tale, Co
lette.' Colette, you know, was young
girl Of wealth, who lived with an avari-
cious aunt in Paris. This worthy rela-
tive, to prevent the young girl marry
ing, kept her in practical seclusion. the
aunts objection to marriage being its
accompanying obligation compelling her
to relinquish her charge Of her niece S
fortune. But the maiden at a certain
aye pined for a husband. Not knowing
how to obtain one she sought advice
from an old confidante of the family.
This woman told her to secure statue
of st. Joseph, pray before it night and
morning for nine days, when the prince
who was to be her husband would ap-
pear.".
Ard did hep"
"Wait just minute. Colette did as
she was bid. But the ninth evenings
devOtionS passing without sign of her
prince she impetuously snatched up the
Statucttc of the patron saint of matri-
momv and flung it through the window.
There was cry of pain from below.
Rushing to the window, COlette saw a
young man lying on the sidewalk with
a cut in his head from which blood was
flowing. Calling for help, she ran down
to him and had him borne into the
house, while she herself picked up the
Statuette reddened with the young
man's blood. Colette nursed him. He
was Of noble birth, and, we'll"
"They were married"
Yes, and despite the fumings of her
aunt. Well. the story became known,
and St. Joseph, found many an addi-
tional shrine i'll France in consequence.
Investigation shows many successes.
Yes, there were failures-but they
came, have no doubt. from lack of
perfect faith. And so we are resolved
to try it here. Yes. | have my statuette.
and in the prettiest little shrine you
ever saw. OF course" she hesitated to
explain. "of course l am not desirous of
husband for myself-at least not at
present. | simply want to test the
creed, and if it stand the test l shall -
Like true pioneer"
''Spread the news abroad for the ben
eft of society,""
And you are totally disinterested?"
Totally" she replied, and she looked
her questioner in the face without a
qu yer. And it may have been simply
the sunlight striking her face through a
red pane in the Wildow-but it looked
like blush.