The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1893-01-21

l am EROl 1OI ll1NiAili~' an nv wa "a
my salt. am as dumb as fish. 1t
! was folly on my part to desire. as | have
done. that might be sent to preach the
Gospel 10 the heather III the wilds of
Africa. where a rich harvest Of souls
might be CLEANED A nice apostle
should maxi with my talterins tongue,
my commonplace remarks, my croaking
voice and my ordinary appearance. q
Lord, why hast thou withheld the power
of speech from me-
At the confessional the canon encoun-
tered the same difficulty. He never was
able to make use Of those bit Ter sweet ad-
moni,ions hich soothe the concentrations
those scathing apostrophcs which touch
the hardened sinners heart.
Therefore Angelica Ramos, the presi-
dent Of the "Dau&htcrs Of Mary" the
Marcl4ioness OF Vcnaiies. the founder of
the Ropcl'i!o. the wife of Marshal Cells
in fact, the creme de Ia creme of the de-
Won't church eoers of Marneda-all
agreed that the canon was IL prosy
preacher, while Father lncienso wa.
very popular, and they liked the way i'll
which he delivered rhetorical phrases,
interviewer with mystical observations.
from behind the grating of the confes.
sional
On the other hand, the common people
sang the praises of the canon and lauled
cigar makers. when they saw him shuttle
by with kindly smile on his benevolent
face, would say to one another in low
tone, He is a saint
Many anecdotes We're told of the good
man at the cigar factory. where all the
news is known and commented upon.
They would tell how he had sold his sill
Yer buckles to pay the rent of some poor
people who We're about to be elected
asked for aims and he had no money ID
give him he would strip off for the suf
ferer his own muller. his handkerchief or
even his rosary. He suffered all sorts OF
piivations III order to alleviate the wants
of other people.
One night the canon retired at the
time the chickens 90 to rooSt. for he had
IL severe cold. 1t was dreary evening,
and the rain was falling in torrents,
while the wind shook the houses and
whistled through the streets.
For that very reason the canon Ell.
joyed lying in his warm bed, snugly
tucked up and experiencing that lie
lightful drowsiness which precedcs sleep
His aching bones, tortured by rheuma
tisln, We're feeling grateful warmth
and he could breathe quite freely I'll
was moment of sybaritical enjoyment
such us prolongs the feeble existence of
old men.
The canon had Just murmured the last
evening prayer when the doorbell was
violently rung and hot discussion was
heard going on III the antechamber. IL
grew more and more excited until Dona
Ramona. holding Il candlcstick ON high.
burst into the room to inform the canon
that IL shabbily dressed woman. who
looked like II beggar, insisted on seeing
him at once. Like soldier at the sound
OF the revcille. the canon sprang from
his bed, and scarcely waiting to clothr
himself Went ont into the antechambcr
to meet the stranger. The water WA.
streaming from her garments, for the
rain had wet her to the skin.
"Oh, most holy mann she exclaimed.
endeavoring to kiss the old priests hand. |
MY brother is at his last gasp and will
not confess. He is dying like dog. |
senior. and pardon me for speaking so.
Come, good sir, try to move his hardened
heart. so that his sinful sonl may not
thus he launched into another world un-
pardoned."
"Who is Your brother my good
woman"
"The notary Roca.'
The canon gazed in astonishment AT
the woinaus shabby garments, and as
she read his thoughts she stamlnered:
Il am cigar maker, and as my eve.
sight is poor can earn only a scanty
livelihood My brother is rolling in
wealth. but he never gives me a single
cent. He has wicked housekeeper who
makes way with all he has, and here am
|, with my four little ones, obliged tn
earn my bread by the sweat of my brow.
But do not think that l have come on ac.
count of his money or because wish
NllH 10 leave IL 10 NE. was porH poor
and shall die poor, and should not care
if it were not for my children. But do
not want my brother to lose his soul.
do not want him to be condemned for
ever"
'See here, my poor woman" said the
canon, already touched by her vehe
mence, II am not capable of convincing
any one nor moving his heart. Go to
Father Incienso."
"Ah father, that priest may be very
good, but there is no other man as saint