The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-09-23
a DRBnaTIC STORY.
BY W. J. FLORENCE (TnE ACTOR.

BY W. J. FLORENCE (THE ACTOR.
With a heart filed with pleasurablc
emotions, took the Rhine steamer at
Cologne. My destination was Ober-
Lahnstein, where hoped to spend II few
days. making excursions to the Stolzon-
fels, Ems, Nassau, and the romantic
neighborhood of the river Lahn. | hal
among my letters of introduction one
from my bishop, recommending me 10
the kind attention of Father Rucker, the
venerable pastor of Capellen. This /
determined to present Immediately upon
my arrival. My bishop had given me an
eloquent description of the old gentle
man. They had been classmates at
Rome; and after their ordination Father
Rucker was sent to his native village as
assistant pastor, while DR.. G. returned
to America, became pastor Mt Arlington,
where, after twenty y-fve years of watch
full care over a very numerous flocl,, he
was transplanted to the bishopric of
Delaware.
On the arrival of the steamer mt
Lahnstein, / took the ferry to Capel-
len, on the opposite bank of the Rhine,
and In few minutes stood ut the door
of the old priests house. My knock
was answered by an old lady in a white
cap, who, in answer to my inquiry, in
formed me that her brother, Father
Rucker, was quite i'll, but would of
course, see me, and leading me to his
room, / stood unannounced at the bed
side of the good German priest. He was
propped up by pillows in sitting posi-
ton. and seeing by my dress that was
clergyman, he at once made me wei
come.
/ delivered my letter from Bishop G.
On reading it, the tears started to the old
priests eyes, and he asked me n hun
dred questions regarding the health
Of my Bishop. and about the Church
in America and the incidents of my voy-
age.
found him most pleasant and
agreeable gentleman, although suffering
terribly from rheumatism, an attack of
which had brought him TO his present con-
dition. He nevertheless was merry
and entertaining host. He ordered his
The three hours before dinner passed
away pleasantly. The cottage stood on
the very edge of the river, the steamers
and light craft passing up and down,
and now and then great raft with its
village of huts in the centre, and pco-
pied by dozens of men, women and
children, made the view from the priests 5
bedroom gay and animated sight.
"The captivity enforced by this
plague, rheumatism, is less irksome
from the fact that this window affords an
uninterrupted view both up and down
the Rhine for many miles, and here sit
and watch the river craft with their
bright and fairy-like wings of canvas.
At times" said the priest, II can count
as many as forty and fifty sail. Come,
Rika, let us give our guest regular
German dinner"
When l returned from my room, where
retired to arrange my dress, found the
old gentleman seated in little room
that served as library, study and dining
saloon. He had made desperate effort
and though in much pain, determined
to appear at dinner in honor of TN,
"Amerikaner priest" as he jocosel,
called me.
After dinner pipes were in order, an,
while watching the smoke ascendin,
from our meershaums, stories and Incl
dents of our priesthood became topics o
our conversation.
at is over twenty years ago." said m
host, "when / was awakened one nigh
to go on sick call.
"a little girl, daughter of Bcinric
Fink, the innkeeper, came TO our door
saying her father had sent her TO beg m
TO hurry at once to the tavern, that