St. Landry democrat., 1893-11-04
A DRaDQa7Ic STORY.
BY W. j. FLORENCE (THE ACToR).

BY W. j. FLORENCE (THE ACTOR.
With o heart filled with pleasurablc
emotions, took the Rhine steamer at
Cologne. My destination was Obcr-
Lahnstein, where | hoped to spend few
days, making excursions to the Stolzen-
fels, Ems, Nassau, and the romantic
| neighborhood of the river Lain. | had
among my letters of introduction one
from my bishop, recommending ne to
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. Thoy had been classmates at
Rome; and after their ordination Father
Ruckcr was sent to his native village as
| assistant pastor, while DR.. c. returned
to America, became pastor at Arlington,
where, after twenty five years of watch
full care over very numerous flock, he
was transplantcd to tie bi>hopric of
Delaware
On the arrival of the steamer at
Lahnstcin, l took the ferry to Capcl-
len, Oh the opposite bank of the Rhine,
and in few minutes stood at 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
Kuckcr, was quite i'll. but would of
course, see me, and leading me to his
room, stood unannouncrd at the bed
side Of the good German priest. lie was
propp"d up by pillows in sitting posi-
ton, and seeing by my dress that was e
clergyman, he at once made me vel
come.
l delivered my letter from Bishop G.
On reading it, the tears started to the old
priests eyes, and he asked me a hun
drcd questions regarding the health
of my Bishop. and about the Church
IN America and the incidents Of nv yoy-
age.
| found him a most pleasant and
agreeable gentleman, although suffering
terribly from rheumatism, an attack of
which had br ught him to his present con-
dltlon. He nevertheless was a merry
and entertaining hest. He ordered his
The three hours before dinner passed
away pleasantly. The cottage stool 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 mcn, women and
children, made the view from the priests
bedroom q 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-likc wings of canvas.
At times" said the priest, 81 can count !
as many as forty and fifty sail. Come,
lika, let us give our guest q regular
German dinner
When | returned from my room. where
| retired to arrange my dress, | found the
old gentleman seated in q 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 the
"Amcrikaner priest" as he iocosely
called me.
After dinner pipes were in order, and
while watching the smoke ascending
from our meershaums, stories and incl
dents of our priesthood became topics of
Dur conversation.
1T is over twenty years ago." said my
lost, "when | was awakened one night
TO 60 on sick call.
"A little girl, daughter of Heinrich
Fink, the iunkeeper, came to our door.
saying her father had sent her to bep me
% hurry at once to the tavern, that O
stranger lay dying, and that the priests
services would be more required than the
physicians. Hastily throwing on nv
oberrock,' followed the child to Helm
ich's 'gasthaus.
He met me at the door, and in few
'rlcf sentences told me that the sick man
'nly arrived that afternoon, that after
'artaking of glass of wine and a pref s
el, nc deposited package of letters and E
small pocket-wallet filled with money
notes and silver-and bidding the g
andlord goodnight, had gone to bed: r
hat some two hours after groans and =
RIGS were heard in the strangers room, I
"On opening the door the poor man r
7as found in great agony. His only r
nsWer to the kind Inquiries as tn what :.