The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1893-10-11
t.!NauaTIc STORY.
BY HrLonExcE (rr-e Acron,.

With a heart filed with plcasurablc
oIuOticus, tvvk-,h.- -Rhino stean,os at
Cologne. My destination was Obcr-
l.ahns,cin where | hoped to spend few
days, making excursions to the Stolen
fcls, Ems, Nassau, ard the romantic
neighborhood Of the river Lrhn. had
among my letters OF introduction one
from my bishop, recommending me I?
the kind attention Of Father Ruoker. the
venerable pastor of Cnrellcn. This !
determined to present Immediately upon
my arrival. My bishop had given me an
eloquent description Of the old gentle.
man. They had been clnrsmates Mt
Rome, and after their ordination Father
ltuckcr was sent To his native village rs
assistant pastor, while DIR. G. returned
to America, became pastor ut Arlington,
where, after twenty five years of watch
ful care over very numerous flock, he
was trausplantcd to the bishopric of
Delaware.
On the arrival Of the stcamc; nj
l.ahnsteip, i took the ferry 10 Capcl
len, ON the opposite bank OF tho Rhine.
and In few minutes stood at the door
of the old priests house. Ny knock
was answered by an old lady In a white
cap, who, in answer TO my INQUIRY, in.
formed me that her brother, Father
kuckcr, was quite i'll, but would of
course, see me, and leading me to his
room, ! stood unauuounced Mt the bed
side Of the good German priest. lie was
proppcd up by pillows in sitting posi-
ton, and seeing by my dress that was n
clergyman, he at once made me vel
come
j delivered my letter from Bishop G.
On reading it, tho tears started TO the old
priests eyes, and he asked me a hun.
drcd questions regarding the health
OF my Bishop. and about the Church
In America and the incidents Of INV vow
age.
i found him most pleasant and
agreeable gentleman, although suffering
terribly from rheumatism, an attack OF
which had brought him to his present con.
dition. He nevertheless was merry
and entertaining host. Tie ordered his
Inc three hOiiis before dinner passed
away pleasantly. The cottage stood on
the very edge Of the river, the steamers
ana light craft passing up and down,
ana now and then great raft with its
village OF huts in the centre, and peo.
pied by dozens of men, women and
children, made the view from the priests
BED room a gay and animated sight.
The captivity enforced by this
plague, rheumatism, is less irksome
from the fact that this window affords an
uninterrupted view both up and down
the Kline for many miles, and here I sit
and watch the river craft with their
bright aud fairyiike wings Of canvas.
AZ times" said the priest, II can count
as many as forty and fifty sail. Come.
Hika, let us give our guest n regular
German dinner"
When | returned from my room. where
retired TO arrange my dress, l found the
old gentleman seated in "a little room
that terycd ms library, study and dining
saloon. lie had made desperate effort
and though in much pain, Determined
To appear at dinner in honor of the
"Ameiikaner priest ne he iocoseIy
called me
After dinner pipes were in order. and
while watching tho smoke ascending
from our meeTshaums, stories and Incl,
dents OF our priesthood became tonics OF
our conversation.
1T Is over twenty years ago." said nv
host, when was awakened one night
TO go on n sick call
"a little girl, daughter OF Heinrich
Fink, the innkeepcr, came 10 our door.
saying her father !iad seut her TO beg me
10 hurry st once TO the tavern, that a