The morning call., 1893-01-12
THE GOOD CANON.

The Canon of MRrineda resided In the
same house with his sedate and elderly
housekeeper and he lad & cat. and a
thrush-one Of those which are called ma
lOises in Galicia, that whistle and trill in the
most remarkable manner. aud can initiate
all the other s0ngsteTs.
The Cauon's residence vas not only plain.
but even DoYerty-stricken. and showed no
signs of the scTupul0us neatneSs usually
the characteristic Of those who wear a
priestIy garb. For you must know that the
Canon's housekeeper. Dona Romano VII
lardos Cabaleiros, had formerly been a lady
Of rank, and therefore she was resolved 10
do as little Homework as possible. She was
fond Of dwelling OF the past and Of giving
herself completely up TO doleful reeollec-
tions. ignoring the fact that there were such
things as sweeping and cooking to be at
tended 10. Such scenes as the following
were therefore Of frequent occurrence at
the priests dwelling: BE would come 10
after saying mass, and While lie hing his
coat and hat on a nail, his stomach would
elsmor loudly for nourishGent, reminding
him that it was time to take his cup Of ehoe-
Olate Fortified by prospect Of this comfort
ing beverage, he would sit down TO Walt
until that nutritious beverage should be
brought to him. But alas! quarter OF an
hour would eiapse, and then another. with
out any signs Of his breakfast Finally, he
would tmidly and gently call to the house
keeper:
bona Ramona-Dona RamonaW
At the END Of ten minutes doleiul voice
would reply;
Nv hat do you want?'
''Ah, WHARF, is 10y cup Of ehocOlate?"
Alas" calculated the suffering duenna,
81 cannot attend 10 anything to-day. Do
you know what day il is ?"
Yes, Thursday, February 6, Saint Dor
othy and Saint Reyecata."
'Just so-the anniversary Of the day on
which felt so hal Ply. and was suddenly
shocked by receiving the news that my
brOtheT-in-law, the major had died OF yell
low fever in Cuba. Alas, may the LORD
grant me patience to bear up under my
sffiicti0nP
The worthy, good-natured Canon never
dared to ask the dame whether the fact that
her brotheT-in-law had died Of yellow fever
was any reason why her master should De
starved 10 death. He would meekiy open
tile cupboard il the kitchen, take out a
piece Of chocolate from its greasy wrapper
and Dibble at 1t awhile, washing 1t down
with a glass of water. Then be would en-
desvor to comfort DOns Ramona, who was
usually smiling on the sofa. with her face
tied up In a handkerchief.
10 your lot. You ought not to rebel against
God. Come now, if you keep on crying We
shall 10 longer be friends" aud so Oh, some
times for hours at time.
Occasionally tie canon, with those very
hands which shortly before had raised the
cOBsecrated host. would be compelled to
perform the humble Office OF washing pota-
toes or preparing vegetables for his broth.
However, these things did not worry him
as much as bis lack of oratorieal gifts and
his failure TO console the troubled house
keepers spirit. For if the worthy Canon
ever had any longing, it was to be eloquent
He would have given his right hand in
order to be able To compose a striking ser
mon. Every time that a silYeT-tOngued Jes-
nit would ascend into The pulpit and deliver
a fiery ADDRESS, railing against the irreigiOus
theories OF Draper and OF Strauss-WhO
were totally unknown In MaTineda; or some
young priest, cut after the pattern Of Cas-
telaT, would discourse about judicial hard
hSaTtedness" and the epoch Of the recon-
quest. or THE light of civilization spread
from Golg0tha," the worthy Canon was not
consumed with envy, for he was incapable
OF such a weakness, but be would become
painfully conscious of his own deficiencies.
and would lament his own incapacity for
preaching If we we're to gather together
his disjOinted reflections. they might read
as follows: 20 my Lord, it is evident that
! am good for nothing. l am not worth MY
on my part 10 desire. as have done, that |
might be sent to preach the Gospel to the
heather IN the wilds Of Africa, where a rich
harvest Of souls might be CLEANED. A nice
apostle l should make, with my faltering
tongue, my commonplace remarks, my
erOaklng voice, and my ordinary appear
ANGEL o LORD, why hast thou withheld the
power OF speech from me?"
At the confessional the Canon encOun-
tered the same difficulty. lie never was
able to make use OF those bitter-sweet ad-
mOnitlons which so0the the conscientious
scruples Of the deyOtees. nor illuminate those
scaihing apOstrOphes which touch the hard
ened sinners heart.
Therefore Angelica Ramos, the president
OF THE Daughters of Mary" the Marchion-
ess OF Nenailes, the founder of the Roperfo.
the wife of Marshal Celis-in fact, the
creme de la creme of the devout church.
goers OF Marineda-an agreed that the
Canon was prOsy preacher, while Father
Incienso was very popular; and they liked
the way in which he delivered rhetorical
phrases, interviewer with mystical observa-
lions. from behind the grating Of tue con-
fessional.
On the other hand. the common people
sang the praises of the Canon, and lauded
him to the sky. Sailors, artisans and cigar
makers, when they saw him shuttle by with
kindly smile on bis benevolent face,
would say TO one another In a 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 silver buckles
to pay the rent OF some poor people who
we're about TO be elected from their dwell
ing. and if beggar asked for aims and he
had no money to give him lie would strip
off for the sufferer his own mufI9ar b;s