The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-03
A CONFESSION.

A CONFESSION.
The Able GARNER declared that the con-
version of so hardened a sinner would do
great credit 10 the mission,
Every year, toward Easter, in order to
arouse the apathy OF his pensioners, the
able was in the habit Of asking the Bishop
to send as missioner Father AlphOnse, a
Capucin monk, with delicate, supple hands
that. by contrast, the brown of his robe
made winter Wel-informed people said
that behind the modest aprellation of Al
phonse the Capuein hid one of the oldest
and most illustrious names in the peerage
Of France.
Every year his sermons moved the cOun-
tryside. The peasants crowded to church
SIS to gTatuitous entertainment, maryeling
at the magnificent gestures Of the preacher
whose vibrating voice moved them like
music. And the stories" that lie inserted
dexterously in his dIscourses drew from
them explanations of admiration. where
did he get it all? No one ever heard the
lkeP'
But in spite OF this enthusiasm the peas
ants were not moved to come to confession.
And tie Abbe GARNER lamented.
Notwithstanding, there were comforting
rumoTs. One CT the blacklist sheep of the
flock commentaries, truY-tO give IN
eQuivocal signs OF return TO grace.
Maltre ROtrou, persistent old drunkard.
had suddenly shown himself ssslduous In
his attendance at the mission. he arrived
al O'clock, slightly intoxicated naturally,
according TO his custom, but carrying his
canvas" as none other could have done.
And with a gait little unsteady-like q
sailors sea-swagger-he entered, pounding
t,4 laa I'D rliF, tl1a
pillar at the end of the church, in the
shadow. motonless, with his mouth and
eyes wide open.
Then Father A'phonse mounted the
pulpit. And after wide sign OF the cross,
that made his great sleeves futter like a
covey Of red partridges, he cited some Latin
text and began his sermon.
During the hour that be spoke, the
drunken old pOacher rested, pstrlfied, and
only when the pTear her descended the
pulpit steps did he shake off his admiring
torpor and in the noise of chairs being
moved he would mutter to himself: Great
gunsl he speaks well, that fellow"
And without waiting for the "salut," dis
daiuing the cauticles and the noise Of the
organ, and without even stopping for his
wife and daughter, he would quit the
church and plunge into the darkness, re-
peatng in the hOarse voice of an old topper,
Great guns! he breaches well, all the
same. that fellow"
We must LILY 70 CUiQutI Hlns sdiu JNe
Able GARNER softly. His granddaughter,
of whom he is very fond, has commenced
cur task, and his wife told me yesterday
that he was not very far from making an
Easter communion"
at is in the domain of the possible, a"
responded Father Alphonse. passing his
hand, which was like duchess, over his
long golden beard.
Only" continued the curl Of Nixon, "he
is an incorrigible drunkard. At least.
drunkRrd is saying good deal. BE has
never been seen absolutely intOXIca ted, for
he carries liquor Ike true native of Perch,
which he Is. He drinks normally his FIVE
measures a day"
Father AlPhonse started.
Five measures, ten quartsP 1t Is not pos
sibleP'
"Oh, yes, my reverend father; you Pa
risians do not know the capacities of a Nor
man." affirmed the abbot, not without some
pride perhaps.
Yes, but thlnkI ten quarts" insisted the
''Thars a small thing for a Norman
drunkard," responded the cure OF Nixon,
smiling. I'VE have a workman here, Cor
der. who made bet lately with a cider
merchant to empty "buss" of cider in a
month. Our busoes hold $50 quarts.
"Well?"
well. he did it."
But" stammered the Capucin, totally
overcome, ''it is physically impossible"
Impossible is not Norman. in that case"
replied the Able GARNER gayly.
Into the church, where the shadows of
evening were falling. Maitre ROtrou had just
entered with hestating step. The gentle
persistence of his granddaughter had ended
by tTiumphing over his hardened resistance.
The mission was almost at an end; few
days more, few hours, in fact, and Father
AlphOnse would return TO his convent.
Maitre ROtrou was vanquished, he had de-
cided to repent Of his misdeeds, and Father
AlphOnse awaited him in the confessional.
There, my honest fellow, l will help
you"
Maitre Rotrou had knelt down, painfully
enough-it was so long since he bad been
used to doing ton the narrow wooden
step. His great shoes, tipped with iron,
forced their way under the green serge cur
tain.
Let US see, my friend you must promise
not to drink any more" concluded the
Capucin.
mot to drlnkP' exclaimed Maitrs Rot
rou. in amaZement.
when say not to drink we must I'M
derstand one another. You see / will be
lndulgent, knowing your old habits. We
must do nothing abruptly. / am going to
make all possible concessions, but on your
part you must do something. Now, !
promise that you may have one measure a
day.
aloud.
yes. one measure. You see. my friend.
am making concessions. One meas
ure: two quarts. quart for each of your
Two meals. 1t is enormous, but in short,
IL is necessary TO make concessions.
One measure" repeated the peasant in
a laundering voice.-"One measure; it is
really measure that you say?"
Let us see-well, let us say two meas
nTes. Two measures-four quarisI There,
you are satisfied. You see. am accommO-
Accommodating ? Two measures p'
roared Maitre ROtrou, who had risen in
Indignation. Two measuresl But that is
not enough to fill hollow tooth"
The Capucin held his ground.
Two measures. Yes; 1t was impossible
for him TO yield further. This Vas more
wine than he himself ever drank in A month,
Maitre Rotrou had walked Violently
away Two measuresi Did they take him
for a child? Nevertheless. he was saizad