Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-03-29

i tckuihikF 'c tllrAf thc0ir, W utuAihh5tcf to
tho ailing ones their allotted spoonsful OF
herb tea. and TO eadeavor to solace and
cheer them during the absenco OF tho
priest. Next dsv. rs Padre Msteo trudg-
ed slowly down the road. q sardonic
smile came upon the countenance OF the
wicked sacristan. As the padres portly
figure diIninislied in the distance, Gauda-
loupe, forgetting the stitch In his back
and the ache Ia his bones. skipped nim-
bly, into the house and began prepara-
tons TO carry out his evil designs.
II was nearing midday. Already Ig-
natius. the oldest and lsanest and hun
griest Of the cats. had appeared. snifiing.
as no entered the kitchen. to learn II din
ner was being cooked.
II will teach thee, villain!' muttered
the sacristan. fierccly. as he busted him
self building fire. 81 will teach thee
to cit and glover at mo while work till
my body shakes with weariness!'
When the meal was ready Gsudaloupe
went to the door. "Come. Carlotta,
dearest. Come, my Pedro! Come, Car
losr' he called. tendcrly. Hasten within.
for thy dinner waitsi BE quick. then;
oil Of your
When the cats were seated. and wait
ing. as usual. for Padre Mateo to tako
his place and pronounce the benediction.
0audaioupe, after tightly closing the
doors. hurried to the chapel. From the
altar he selected the largest crucifix,
and. bearing this In the left hand. and .
great whip behind him In his right hand,
I ha .>aturo "A 80. tlxa 49, ha.,aa
| Holding tho crucifix before him. the
sacristan entered the room where the
cats were assembled. "Now wretchss!
brutesi villains!' he shouted--and at
each word came q cut from the whip
"fiendsi monsters! ungTsteful beastsi
Receive your punishment"
The astonisbed creatures lesped Eom
their seats aud tore msdly about tho lit
tie room. but they could not got beyond
the reach Of Qaudaloupe's whip. He
lsshed right and left, stu holding the
crucifx before him. till ut last he could
no longer WELD the heavy whip.
Enough for this timer he painted.
throwing open the door. snow, cres-
lures Of evil. departr and - the last cat
disappeared tho saoSistan dropped his
whip in o corner, assumed devout ex-
preston and carried the crucifix back to
Its place on the altar. s.
| Thrice each day similar scene was
enacted. The cats were called tenderiy
by name, arranged In their respective
places and generously served to ssvory
repast, only TO SEQ the sacristsn appear.
bearing the cruciAx aloft In the left
hand aad the whip behind him In the
righ.-till at the sight Of the crucifix tho
creatures would spring wildly from their
seats and seek to escape.
| Padre Mateo returned sS night and
was welcomed cordially by the perfidi-
Gus sacristan- In the morning. when
the breakfast was ready, Gaudsloape
called the padre TO the meal. -
| "But-where are the catsy' asked
Padre Mateo. upon seeing their seats
unoccupied.
Gaudaloupe shrugged his shoulders
with a look OF sadness as he replied:
"Spcak not Of them, reverend padre!'
"Bus want my csts:'
"Your excellence-I fear you have
been befooled."
/ "Where arc my catsY'
swell, then. will call them, venera-
bic padre but first let me speak. fear
the creatures are not mere common cats,
else why did they conduct themselves 30
strangely In your absencey'
"Nonsense!" reared tho padre. "Of
what do you spcakf Cali my cats!7
"Bnt wait. your reverence. AS your
reverence knows. II IL my duty always,
of Thursday, to clean the candlesticks
| and the sacred crucifxes on the altar.
| Your reverence well remembers that tt is
my custom always to bring them outside
| into tho afr that the dust may not soil
tho altar cloth. What will your rever-
cnce think when ! reveal the wickedness
Of your references cats? They are all
devils, surely, else why should they run
| from the crucifix, as the evil one would
fee from the presence Of the VirginY
"Nonsenses' roared the padre. "Can
my catsr.
SO the sacristan did as he was bid.
"Now," said Padre Mateo. triumphant
iy. when all the cats were seated about
the table. I'VE will test this thing! Bring
In tho crucihxr
Without word the wicked sacristan
Gew to the chapel. and. returning, en-
tered the priests room holding the sacred
emblem aloft before him. At It's ap-
pearance the unhappy cats gave o dis
cordant howl of rage and despair, and
fed. as spirits OF evil fec from the pres.
encc Of the Virgin.
As the last swollen toll disappeared the
padre gave gasp and caught the sacris-
tan's arm for support
There was an interval OF ominous
sileuoa, and the venerable priests coun.
tennnco was agitated by conflicting emo
| tionS
"Devils.' he walled at last, wringing
his trembling hands. Things Of evil
Alas. alas! How ye have deceived me!
My worthy Gaudaloupe, thou hast spok n
truly-but--ohi how have loved them!
Get thy gun, my GaudslouPe. They s-e
fiendsi Get thy gun and rsnd their
wicked hearts! Amy Elizabeth Leigh
in Pittsburg Bulletin.
! H