Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-04-13
WITHIN SLOlSTERS.
Solemn Services of Holy Week Behind
Convent Walls.

Solemn Services of Holy Week Behind
Convent Walls.
The world is very wide awake and
noisy in tho spring of Easter week. On
the street the boys sell huge bouquets,
crying their blooming wares with hoarse
voices. In the shops the tired saleswom-
en- work early and late In the churches
there are crowds of chattering people
who make wreaths and talk in garru-
lous fashion. There are rooms where the
gaslight burns far into the spring morn
ing. That is where the weary dressmak-
er is hurrying her work.
The orchestras are rehearsing new
music, the actresses are planning new
dresses, the florists are haggling about
the price of rose, the choir leaders are
nervous and anxious, the new clergy
men arc wondering if their Easter serv-
ice will be a success, and there are still
jealousy and heartache among the wo-
men over their Easter bonnets
In the convent garden it is very quiet
and different, says the San Francisco
Examiner. The lilac tree near the wall
is in bloom, and the little altar of the
Blessed Virgin in the arbor is draped
with the yellow sprays of the blossom
ing currant. There is no one in the gar.
den except bent little sister, with q
sweet, worn face. She is watering a lit
tie bed of pansies, but inside the big
brick convent there is sound of many
feet. The sewing class is just over, and
the girls are filing out into the study
hall to put away their work kboxes-the
big, cool, clean study hall, with it's shin
ing floor and very straight clean chairs.
AS the girls enter they drop deep
courtesy to tall figure robed in black,
which sits upon the platform. Then each
girl, after she puts away her box, walks
quietly to one of the chairs. The tall
nun at the desk shuts little signal box
she holds in her hand, there is sudden
rap, and all the girls are seated.
"Children," says the religieuse, 1--WE
are entering upon season of great Joy.
Let us prepare ourselves. Tonight the
retreat will begin"
She makes a pretty, gentle little ad-
dress and urges every child to put away
all worldly thoughts and make herself
worthy to celebrate the glorious Easter.
She calls them children, yet there are
girls Of Is or 20 among the crowd. In
convent every one is a child.
The refectory is big and bare and set
round with long tables. There is read
ing desk in the middle, but no one reads
tonight. The retreat has begun. Silent
sisters enter noiselessly and pass the food
to the silent girls When the meal is
done, there is big dish of warm water
passed. Each girl thrusts in her spoon,
her knife and her fork and wipes them.
1t is warm in the garden yet, and the
girls go out there. They walk in little
groups of three and five. A few of them
walk alone. All of them are telling their
beads, with murmur as of humming
bees. The big bell rings It's time for
evening prayers There is snap of the
signal box; every one rises. Another
snap; they form in line. Another snap;
they turn and walk from the room, their
footsteps echoing on the hard floors. At
the door they turn and courtesy.
1t is 1880 o'clock-bedtime at the con-
vent. There is a glimmer of light in the
west yet, but the blinds are closely
drawn. UP stairs in the dormitory there
are rows and rows of white beds, hung
with snowy curtains. In the middle of
the room is table with slate on it,
If any one wants collar or handker-
chief, she writes upon the slate and
signs her number. In the morning the
article she asked for will be there, fold
cd upon her neat pile of clothing
In few minutes the rustling behind
the white curtains ceases. A velvet
footed religieuse walks from bed to bed
to see that all are quiet. Then her low
voice sounds distinctly through the
room:
"Sacred heart Of Jesus, immaculate
heart of Mary"
From behind the curtain comes the
answer, 81 give you my heart.'
Up i'll the chapel the nuns are pray
ing-praying that the coming retreat
may be full of blessings to the "chil-
dren of the Sacred Heart"
Before 8 o'clock the next morning
there is long line of yelled figures fl
ing into the chapel. They are all plain