The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-22
THE JUGGLER.

In the days of King Lous there was In
France poor juggler by the name of
Barnabe. native of Compegne, who used
to go from city to city playing all sorts OF
tricks.
Wherever there was fair he was sure
tn be seen with his old WORKOUT carpet
spread on the ground. where. after having
drawn together a throng of children and
loungers by old jokes, which he repeated
exactly as he had learned them, he would
throw himself into all sorts OF strange
attitudes. and even balance pewter plate
on bis nose. The crowd would at first look
on carelessly, but when, Standing on his
hands, he would toss into the air and catch
on his feet six copper balls. sparkling in the
sun. or. when throwing himself back till his
neck touched his heels, he made himself
into living wheel and played with twelve
knives, murmur of admiration would rise
from the spectators, aud pieces OF money
would rain down on the carpet.
Notwithstanding, like most people who
live by their talents, Barnabe found Ii very
difficult 10 live. Earning his bread by the
sweat of his brow. he bore more than his
lust proportion of the Indebtedness caused
by the sin OF Adam, our common father,
and he could not even work as much as he
would have wished, for In order TO show
his skill he needed warm sun and daylight
as much as the trees need them to give US
fruits and flowers. Iu the winter he was
like leahess and half-dead tree; thu frozen
earth was hard to the poor juggler, and,
like Marie &c Frances grasshopper, in bad
weather he always suffered from cold and
hunger. But as he had pure heart he bore
these evils in patience.
He had never reflected on the origin of
riches and the inequality OF human condi-
hny Mad hat
was bad the other must be good. This
faith kept up his courage. and he did not
follow the example OF thievish mounte-
banks and miscreants who have sold their
souls To the devil. He never blasphemed
the name OF God; he lived uprightly and,
though he had no wife OF his own. never
coveted the 1ife of his neighbor. consider
ing that women IS the enemy of strong men,
rs nppeaTeth in the story of Samson, told
in the Holy Scripture. He was not
drunkard. though he loved drink when 1t
was warm, but an honest fellow, fearing
God and especially devoted to The Holy
Virgin, and always when he went into q
church he would kneel before her image
and say devoutly: Madame, take care of
my life till it is Gods will that | die, and
when am dead arrange it 50 that l shall
have the joys OF Paradise"
ii.
Now, one evening of very rainy day. az
be was going along. sad and bent, carrying
the copper globes and the knives wrapped
up in his old carpet ana looking for barn
where he might go supperless to sleep, he
overlook on the road a monk and greeted
him respectfully, and as they kept on they
began TO talk.
''Comrade," said the monk, show is it
that you are dressed all In green? Is it be-
cause you are going to play the part of
Tool in some mystery"
'2rcwarQd q q NJ,
as you see me- am called Barnabe, and l
am juggler by trade. 1t would be the best
trade in the world if one only had some-
thing TO eatevery day"
Friend Barnabe." went on the monk.
take care what you say. The most beau
tiful thing in the world is TO be monk. for
lie celebrates the praise Of God. the Virgin,
and the saints, and the religious life Is a
perpetu II song to the Lord"
Barnabe answered: Father, / confess
that L have spoken like an ignorant man.
My trade eannut be compared to yours, and
although there is merit in dancing with a
little coin balanced on stick at the end of
your nose. that merit is much less Than
yours. l should like to do as you 10,
Father, and sing the Office every day.
especially the Office Of the most Holy
Virgin, to whom have vowed q particular
devotion l would willingly give up the
art Ia which / am known from scissors to
Beauyais In more than COO cities and vii
lagos, ii could be monk"
The juggIer's simplicity touched the
monk, and as he was not wanting in
shrewdness he recognized in Barnabe one
of those men OF good will of whom the
Lord has said "Peaee he to them on the
EARTH" aud so he reasoned: "Friend Bar
nabe. come with me and l will have you
accepted in the convent of which | am
Prior. He who led Mary 10 Egypt has led
me to you so that l might guide your feet
into the way of salvation"
And thus Barnabe became monk. In
his convent the brothers devot ted themselves
more than In any other to the worship of
the Holy Virgin. each using for her glory