The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1893-01-21
The canon hesitated for a moment and

The canon hesitated for a moment and
then said timidly:
well, bring me my cloak and my old
hat and my muffier.'
He left the house with the woman and
heads. while the heavy gusts Of wind al
most took their breath away as it drove
them along. The rain penetrated his
garments aud chilled the poor canon to
the very marrow.
"Oh,' he thought. 'if only had sip
of wine or brandy! If could only warm
myself by the blaze of good fire.
After ii long tramp they reached the
house and the cigar maker boldly knocked
on the door, and as it was not opened at
once she knocked still louder. A for
midable looking woman, with mus
taches, bullying eyes and tleshv. heavy
form. made her appearance at the door
and overwhelmed them with invectives.
She endeavored to close the door again,
but the cigar maker had thrust herself
into the opening like wedge, and foam
ing with rage cried:
Get out of the way! Get out of the
way. have brought this holy man so
that my brother shall not die like IL dog!
Get out of the way, you horrid thing.''
She pointed to the canon behind her,
shivering with cold
1t was singular, but the fleshy woman
knew him at once, and as she recognized
him her bearing changed; her eyes no
longer flashed fire. and she meekly said:
"Come in, COOL father, come in. Par.
don me. for did not see you. You re-
lieved the distress of my poor mother.
don't you recollect. In heaven is still
recorded the money you gave her to en-.
able her to buy Il vegetable stall in the
market place to earn her living. Oh, no,
| shall never shut my door in Your face.
Come in, sir. and make yourself at home,
but please remember that | have been
three years, and it is only Just that when
Senior Roca dies he should leave me
something. Come in
The canon drew himself up The spark
Of life within him was rekindled under
the glow of that enthusiastic reception,
of that expected gratitude-the result
of Il good action which he had long ago
forgotten. y mysterious light i!lnminel
his spirit and IL sudden thought. terrible
as well as comforting thrilled him to the
very center of his heart This thought
changed his deadly GOODNESS into ardor--
a species of apostolic fervor He entered
the sick mans room with firm step.
The notary was in one of those painful
crises which are the forcrrnners OF death.
His chest rose and fell as he gasped fot
breath, and his painful respiration could
be heard from the passageway. In spite
of his suffering he noticed the entrance
of the canon. and wildly waving his
arms and uttering hoarse cry he
showed his displeasure.
outstanding this, after the house.
keeper had shaken up the pillows shd
discrcetly withdrew, leaving him alone
with the canou--thc healer of souls.
The canon stopped on the threshold,
as though hesitating or waiting for the
inspiration of the moment to move him.
His limbs were cramped with cold, but
there was an ardent glow within him
now which filled his soul with holy fire.
He no longer thought of warming his
stomach by IA sip of wine, nor of draw
ing near to the grateful blaze of the fire.
place, nor Of going back to his comfort.
able bed.
He went up to the sick man and knelt
beside him.
The notary fixed upon his visitor his
dim eyes, already glazed with the film OF
death.
"What-what are you doing there:'
he painfully calculated.
II am praying replied the priest,
THAT you may confess and may repent
of your sins and save your soul
And you-by heaven. What bust.
ness is it of yours, ! would like to know
Here Pepa"
Don't call Pepa, for she knows that
shall not harm you; am interested il
saving your SOUL replied the canon,
drawing himself up and raising his
voice. while he seemed to increase in
stature and spirit as he found within
himself strength of will and flow OF
ideas which We're fully equal to any OF
Father Inciensos.
Il am interested because you may die
today, but | am sure-do you understand
me?-that myself shall not live eight
days longer had severe cold and
was i'll in bed. but have come to hear
you confess. am drenched to the skin,
and know have caught my death, but
do not want to present myself before
the Almighty with empty hands, and
have made up my mind to save your
soul in order not to lose my own.
II have not been of much use to God
during my Gfetime-do you understand