Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-11-11
IN THE FOREST.
900
By HENRILAvEDAM


black as a cassock when Abba Laine. after
passing the Crossways Of Roussy. found
himself on the solnlores Road. which al
most cuts tho orleans Forest in two. At
this moment Holopherne-this was the mama
OF the little ass that was drawing the car
riago IN which the Able was seated-made
motion as though be would stop. some ex-
horiatlons were addressed TO him from the
carriage With a sweetness which was almost
paternal. the animal continued bis short
aud ehoppy trot. which. as could be easily
seen by daylight. shook his long ears nearly
on him. With this lille ro,--a trot OF the
Bon DIeu, as the urchins Of the country side
said altfully--Hoopherne was, never
theless. capable OF covering great deal OF
ground His llttlc boots. pointed and tena-
cious. would travel untirlngy for hours; no
was, At the same time. strong and doolle,
IKE asses that are never beaten; his master
had never beaten him, for the excellent rea-
son that he had no whip, and conIented him
self with kind word or pull on the relns
when he desired to hasten his pace. But
this evening. a depressing, stormy night In
June, without stars or moon, tho Able
wished, as they say In poetry. THAT his
sieed had the wings OF Alcyon." he found
him slow, and was mindful to urge him on
ward. as they had several leagues to go. and
though they had been on the road for an
hour they were still not half way on their
Journey
N. Losprlt. the messenger OF Chauylgny.
| az was at this place that Able Lame had
tulAlled the functions Of Cure for the Lass
ten years.. returning that evening from bis
daily journey. had. about o'clock, carried
! the news to the priest that the Good Wife
Doradoux. the nag woman at the They
crossing would probably not live through
the night and she was very much exercised
about dying without contrasting her Ans and
receiving communion The Able had dressed
himself at once and had awakened Holo-
pherne. who was IN the midst Of a delightful
dream Of thistles. but who was accustomed.
however. to these night journeys, which the
administering OF tho last sacraments so
| often imposed upon him. As soon as his
carriage was harnessed, Able Lalne had
gone straight 10 the church, and, standing
on tptoes, by the dim light OF a solitary
candle, he had taken the consecrated host
from the white painted wooden tabernacle,
with everything that was necessary for ad-
mlnlsterlug the yiaticum.
AT thla lSte kour. $3.50. all the village
children were in bed and asleep. Although
NJ. Lacabasze, the beadle. had offered
with a generous lnslstance to accompany
him. to hold the holy oils for him aud
assist In his duties. Able Laine would not
consent to NJ. I..cabasss's touching propo-
| sltlou He was not lesa than II years old.
and, notwithstanding tho old mans ex-
CARNATIONS, Joined to the most sinister
predictions OF his servant, he decided he
wodla 20 alone, all alone. to Doradbux's
and that he ran no danger. as tho forest
4 had not a bad reputation.
| Besides. would mot the Bon Dieu ae-
| company him on his journey? Conse-
! quently, there was nothing TO fear, He had
tho little silver box, which enclosed the
Host, carefully wrapped up, and safely
| buttoued ia the Inside pocket OF his coat;
and rein IN each hand. he drove Holo-
ph0rno out Into the night. his lips moving
10 prayer. lantern had been tci before
! he set out, TO one OF the wagon shafts, aud
| gave him Just light enough to prevent him
/ from balng upset In one OF the bitches on
Ahe side OF the road. and the Able thought
| tha, without the faint light Of this beacon
4 he would never have been able to escape
them, the night was so dark; a real Good
Friday Tencbre service.
] lie had passed tho Poup-pendu woodz
whom he thought he heard tho noise Of
steps little in advance Of him.
/ At that moment Holopherno stopped
/ short. The Able had never known fear
| having the idea OF death always before
| him. and helng In tho habit OF saying
| (wthout knowing ~ with Hamlet; "a
sparrow fillath not without permission OF
| the Almighty" He had always considered
that the most rcdoubtable assassins were
! our own Vices. and that there was no
! greater danger than sin. Being a very
Simplo-mlnded man. he did not get nervous
and he asked quietly and In a loud voice:
us there any one thsref'
YES. there Is some one.' replied mans
voice cut Of the darkness.
"Somo one has doubtless lost their way"
iuterrosated the priest.
'somc one WHO has lost his way, and is
going to Thiczy" replied the voice,
In that case" ordered the Able, "ge,
7 IN quickly. That is whore / am going
also"
A few seconds passed. the carriage
sworved and then creaked under the weight
81 n heavy leap. and the prest felt a man
sit down beside him. a man. whom he
also guessed to be tall and strong. AS
soon as hsYas seated the Able could vague
! ~ ileApFuiah the features OF his faeo In
! the obseurlty which envel0ped them. II
was the face Of laborer, Of man OF the
! people. accustomed to heavy and rude la
/ Dor, unon which was imprinted fcFoclous
and resolute expression. He, on his part.
had nSed steady gaze upon the Able
! well NenN he observed, $50 you are
1 one OF those prlests9 Move oni" no
/ elucked. and the little carriage started.
I During niomeat or two each was silent
/ fhc Able spoke urst:
"This s no, good time for walking in
the forest"
mo" replied the man. without count
| ms tns, It is not prudent"
"Why, my friendS'
ION account OF robbers. Do you not
believe In robbers, your
mot at all; but. nevertheless, there are
some, 1t Is sad to say. Yes. there are
J SOME"
/ Again silence reigned between them.
And, without seeming TOO curious, Mon
sleur le Cure. where are you uoing at this
hour, instead Of nappingT asked the man.
Il am carrying the sacrament to a dying
woman"
II susplclonea ~ Is she far away. your
\ dying woman
lust a luie before you come to ThIeEy.
! She Is the fag-woman. Dana Goradoux.
Do you knox herr
You are -at rom these par,s'"
Nor q ., ,g,rcpsG"
you an passing byY'
As yeu say yea. M'sieu 10 Cure. am
They wore silent once more. After pass.