Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-04-15
THE JUGGLER.

go from city to city playing all sorts of
tricks
Wherever there was fair he was sure to
be seen with his old, worn out carpet
spread on the ground where, after having
drawn together 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 at
titudes and even balance pewter plate
on his 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
10 knives murmur of admiration would
rise from the spectators and pieces of money
would rain down ON the carpet.
Notwithstanding, like most people who
live by their talents, Barnabe found it very
difficult TO live. Earning his bread by the
sweat Of his brow, he bore more than his
Just proportion Of the wretchedness 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 In the winters he was
like aleafless and half dead tree. The frozen
earth was hard to the poor juggler, and like
Marie de Frances grasshopper in bad
weather he always suffered from cold and
hunger, but as he had "a pure heart he bore
these evils in patience.
He had never reflected on the origin of
riches and the inequality OF human condi-
lions. He never doubted that as this world
is bad the other must be good. This faith
kept up his courage, and he did not follow
the example of thievish mountebanks 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 wife
of his neighbor, considering that woman is
the enemy of strong men, as appeareth in
the story Of Samson, told in the holy Scrip
lures He was not drunkard, though he
loved a drink when it was warm, but an
honest fellow, fearing God and especially
devoted to the holy Virgin, and always
when he went iEtoa church lie would kneel
before her image and say devoutly, Take
care of my life till it is Gods will that
die, and when l am dead arrange il so that
l shall have the joys Of paradise
Now, one evening Of very rainy day, 0s
he was going along, sad and bent, carrying
the copper globes and the knives wrapped
up in his old carpet and looking for barn
where he might 20 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, "how is it
that you are dressed all in green? Is it be-
cause you are going to play the part of a
fool in some mystery"
"Oh, no, father" answered Barnabe;
such as you see me | am called Barnabe,
and am juggler by trade. 1t would be
the best trade in the world if only one had
something to eat every day"
Friend Barnabc,' went on the monk,
take care what you say The most beau
tiful thing in the world is to be a monk, for
he celebrates the praises of God the Virgin
and the saints and the religious life is a
perpetual song to the Lord"
Barnabe answered: Father, | confess
that have spoken like an ignorant man.
My trade cannot be compared to yours, and
although there is merit in dancing with a
little coin balanced on a stick at the end Of
your nose that merit il much less than
yours. | should ike to do as you do, IA
ther, and sing the office every day, especial
ly the office of the most holy Virgin, &c
whom have vowed particular devotion.
would willingly give up the art in which
am known from scissors TO Beauvais, in
more than 600 cities and villages, If | could
be monk"
The juggler's simplicity touched the
monk, and as he was not wanting in shrewd-
ness he recognized in Barnabe one Of those
men of good will of whom the Lord has
said, peace be to them on the earth, and
80 he responded. Friend Barnabe, come
with me, and will have you accepted in
a 4. III 4 L. L..
led Mary to Egypt has led me to you, 50
that l might guide your feet into the way
of salvation
And thus Barnabe became a monk. In
his convent the brothers devoted themselves
more than in any other to the worship OF
the holy Virgin, each using for her glory all
the knowledge and skill which had been
given him by God The prior as his part
wrote books which treated according 70
scholastic rules the virtues of the mother
of God, and Brother Maurice copied with a
mastery hand Oh parchment these Urea
tises, which Brother Alexander illuminated
with fine miniatures. There was the queen
of heaven on Solomons throne, at the feet
of which watched four lions, while around
her glorified head huttered seven doves
IMPLYING the seven gifts Of the spirit--fear,
Rodliness, knowledge, strength, counsel,
understanding and wisdom. For her com
panions she had six virgins with golden
hair-Humility, Prudence, Modesty, Re
spect, Virginity and Obedience.
At her feet two little figures, naked and
beautifully white, were standing in an at
titude Of supplication. These represented
souls who were imploring, and certainly
not in vain, her all powerful intercession
for their salvation. Brother Alexander
would then paint ON another page Eve and
Mary together, showing at the same time
sin and redemption, the woman Inundated
and the virgin exalted. In this book were
also to be seen the Well Of Living Water,
the Fountain, the Lily, the Moon, the Sun
and the inclosed Garden ofSolomon's Song
the Gate of Heaven, the City Of God and
many pictures of the Virgin.
Brother Marbode was seemingly one Of
the most loving children Of Mary. He
snapf oil hfa ffrnp emitting stone images. 60