Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-10-21
BROTHER JOSEPH.

funny little old man" One could not
determine his true height, for he walk
ed very much bent and wore his cowl
far over his head. He petted the dogs
of the village, and they followed him
sometimes to the very gates of the
monastery. When he met a woman
he crossed himself devoutly and cast
his eyes to the ground. He had
bright, miSchievous, brown eyes, which
bclied his solemn features, for his face
was always sad. He very rarely came
to the village, unless the Brothers sent
him on errands to the trades, or he
drove the monastery mule cart to the
village with casks of wine. Sometimes
the load was very heavy, and when
half way down the steep mountain
road the mule grew weary, Brother
Joseph would place a rock under the
wheel and rest his beast
The monastery was situated at the
end of the mountain road, upon what
they called The Heights. The Brother
hood had a magnificent view, over the
village in the valley below, which shone
busy and thriving in the sunlight, or
calm and peaceful with the silent bene-
diction of the monastery in the moon
light.
One morning, as he drove the wine
casks to the village, Brother Joseph
met with an incident which gave him
a warm friend for life. Such things
are rare with the Brotherhood
Half way down the mountain was
fruit-stand of young Philip, lame
boy who sold apples to travellers visit
ing the mountain-pass. 1t was a card
inal indulgence of Brother Joseph to
buy one of Philips red peppins and
favor himself with covetous glance
before giving it to Marco. Marco had
learned to halt in front of Philips
stand whenever they came down the
mountain road.
Philips fruit-Stand was very sue
ccSSful, for travellers were attracted
by his good face and manly effort. and
pitied his lameness. Then his apples
were always very rosy and tempting.
The other vendors along the mountain
side We're enviouS of Philip. They
We're wicked lot, and they jeered
him.
One morning his cart broke down,
and his stock-in-trade was widely scat
tered over the roadside. Philip good
naturedly began to pick them up, when
a crowd followed him, laughing and
hooting and sending his apples rolling
down the mountain side until he cried
with his loss.
Brother Joseph came along just then
and Shamed and drove the crowd away
and restored the remaining stock to
Philip. The boy loved him from that
hour.
There was something in their mutual
insulation which drew them close to-
gcther, and they were fast friends. In
the springtime the country around
them was gorgeous, and they both
loved Nature in their own ways. They
occasionally went for long walks, and
when Philip grew tired, or his leg hurt
him. Brother Joseph carried him up to
their favorite promontory, where they
would sit down and talk. The lad was
ashamed to be carried, and when
Brother Joseph laid him down he al
ways blushed like girl. Then they
would sit in silence few minutes and
enjoy the glorious exit of the days sun.
Brother Joseph talked great deal
about the earth, and air, and sun, and
sky, and knew Philips history from
his poor and rather impromptu cradle
to his present age of twelve; but he
never spoke of himself.
One evening Philip said: Il wish I
were as good as you are, Brother Jo-
scph.'
Nay, lad, do not say that again"
But l do. You are as good as the
picture of saint" said Philip.
Yes; the picture of one; and there
the likeness ceases" said the monk
why, lad, this is a towards life! You
are better than 1. You took your life
and lived it. You sell apples, and the
goodness and soundness of every one
is your pride. My very rosary is a
ball and chain. My robes get in my
way when l climb.
"A beautiful mind once said that NO
man has a right to be anything unless
he is conscious that he knows how to
be it, and when man is about to
wear the cowl he should see to the
shape of his head. My life was in the
activities of the world, and l ran from
it to hide. l am false to my mOnkhood
and false to my manhood"
NO, no! Brother Joseph. You are
good and holy, and l love you very
much," said Philip with true express
sion.
THANK you, lad. Your very life re.
proacheS mine. l had duties, and in
tirmitieS, and burdens in the world be-
yond, and | ran from them in the cloak
of holiness; but you have stood by your
stock, and your apples are golden,
while mine are on the ground of cor
ruption."
/ In his excitement and Self-accuSatiOn
| his cowl fell back, and Philip saw that
he sat upright, and that he was neither
old nor bent.
DO not say this, Brother Joseph.
You fast and pray and speak to no
man. You cast your eyes away from
women, and make daily confession.