The herald., 1894-12-15

questioned the officers, found fault with
everything, always had tho las; word, os-
tent ttiously bought the Bonnet Rouge or
tho Pero Duchonc. In public he was prod
Igal in the use OF the word 'citoyen.' Who
would hare suspected in this Dragging
scoffcr, the fcrvcnt retiring priest we knew
In rctrcatp The sainc whom l could see
rs lay with half closed eyes on my cot
bed kncclng on his wooden prize Dieu dur
Ing the hours of the silent night, lost In
prayer and meditation.
1--WE were in the habit of taking our
meals at miserable little restaurant In
the Ruc de Ronncs, filed ut all hours
with common people and workmen in
bouses, who hobnobbcd noisily together
i without paying any attention to us. We
always had tho salno desscrt-an apple
and thrco black nuts. l think that tho
prcprictress, jolly sort of woman, In n
tricolorcd cap, recognized the abbo tho
very first day, but sho had a good faoo and
she invariably greeted us with pleasant
smile.
ION the 10Th OF April-it fell on Fri
day, and Gcod Friday, too-aftcr wo had
been seated ct our table for few mo-
ments, looking over tho bill of fare, pro-
paratory to ordering our breakfast, several
national guardsincn, who were drinking
beer at q table or two away from us, sccm-
cd to DO whispering among themselves
They cast suspicious glances in our direc-
ton, and cxcitctily slapping their thighs
raised their voices TO loud pitch. Sud
denly ono of them, rising, staggered to-
ward us, and touching the abbe's shoulder
with his dirty forcilngar--hc in the mean
time continued to sss,ly the fish portion
of tho card without llrching-addresscd
him in an insulting tone Of voice;
Come, Go not lie to us; you are o
crow, a slang phrase for priest.
".Morn than likely added another
"And third chimcd in: Certainly he
is one. He dare not deny it'll Come, preach
TO us; we will listen.
''Thc abbe had never budged, had not
even made Il gesture. He looked them III
tho face jceringly, shrugged his shoulders,
and in laughing voice called out:
"'A round of drinks for these bravo
mcnv
".No replied the first speaker. no Ii
tcrs; our thirst is quenched- something
else! Since you are willing to treat us,
pay for some 'foic gras' and join us. If
remember rightly, today is Good Friday,
that's right-we will see, no mistake, as
to what lie isl
"'Ah, bravo, that is good' applaudcd
tho gallery. 'Ha, that clutches him, AL
phonso. Come, feast with us, or we will
cut off your head.'
"All the rovelcrs had left their seats
and crowded around us, with distended
eyes, looking for the consummation of the
farce. And frowsy mason, with crossed
arms, hiccoughcd:
''In the meantime an enormous slice of
pate had been placed on tho table, nasty,
rancid, ycllowish mess, swimming in
grease, large black truffle stuck in tho
top, tho kitchen knife lying alongside of
it on a thick common plate. On all sides
curses were heard
''No danger; he will not take a bite.
He is too much afraid of damning his soul
forevcrl
".Will he cat it? He is not eatingl
Warm him.
'All at once tho silence o. tho grave fell
upon the room, and you could have heard
tho flutter OF a fy's wings. Tho abbc had
taken the knife He cut off "a slice, put it
on plate and TRANQUILITY ate it. He was
pale, but he swallowed without any hurry
or outward sign of disgust. After several
mouthfuls he rose and said in an icy tone
Of voice:
'''Are you satisfied?'
me by the hand, he paid his bill and went
out, leaving them stupeticd with astonish-
n,ent. Once in the'street, he never opened
his mouth, and l was too much upset tc
address word to him. The weather was
warm, and somewhere street band was
playing German waltz sad enough to
listen to. On tho curbstone q crippled
woman stood begging. Ho crossed the
street to give her aims.
'Still in silence, we entered the school
house. He went up the stairs which led
to our room; but, all at once on the stair
case, his strength gave way, and he burst
into heartbrcaking sobs, his face pressed
against the wall, trembling and as weak
as child. He cried out in tho midst of
his paroxysms: My God, my God, 1t was
for the little ono who was confided to my
care that l sinned! Pardon me! Pardon
mel
''Then, turning to me gently, he sent
me away, saying, Go play and leave me
alono!'
''I oboyed him, but as descended the
stairs l heard him say: A priest, q priest!
And today is Good Friday!
/ Some days later we left the school and
found refuge with some friends Of tho alb
bcs, and they hid us until the arrival of
| the Versailles troops"
/ My mother appeared to be very much
| moved by his story. In low voice she
unthinkingly gave expression to the poign-
ant regret of her life, II would have loved
| to havo had son a priest, to have had
him BY me as closed my eyes ON this life
and to have had his prayers after my
! death
Then 1 felt that I must scold her:
Come, come, petite mamma, no such
dolcful idcas before whist. Shall / turn
| up the lamp? Shall 1 give you some sug-
ar--two Jumps? Now, do not hunt for
your spectaclcs; they are en- your nose. -
! From the French.