Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-10-20


great grief. The good priest fell seri-
ouslv i'll one Saturday evening-the
evening of the day when the Forty
ninth regiment assisted in full uni
form, at the benediction Of the church
so rapidly constructed by their Jealous
charity.
A poetical non-cOmmissioned officer,
or rather a on-commissioned officer
who was a poet-taking advantage of
the illness of the poor cure, improvised
a vaudeville and appropriated the char
acters of most intelligent comrades.
The town Of BliancOn was invited TO as
sist at the first representation, the pro-
fits of which were to be consecrated to
the decoration OF the new church at
Chauvet For the first time, perhaps,
God had become, according to the ma
tive expression Of the drum major, the
receiver of the profits of the comedy.
The whole village responded to the
charitable appeal The representation
was as brilliant as it was productive;
i'm fact. the actors collected, amid i'm
mense applause, an important sum,
which was doubled on the morrow, and
by the evening OF the next day
amounted to 1,S00f. The officers and
the soldiers themselves increased it by
a general and voluntary subscription
of 700f.
These 2,500f. were entrusted to two
officers, who Immediately set off for
Lyons to make the necessary purchases
for the establishment of the church.
During this time the cure, admirably at
tended by the surgeon Of the Forty
ninth. began rapidly to mend, and in
a few days would be able to resume his
duties. The sol1iers-from masons be-
came decorators-tOok advantage Of
the delay to arrange artistcally the
purchases made at Lyons. Stations Of
the cross divided the white walls into
fourteen spaces; beautiful gilt chandel-
iers were arranged on each side OF the
altar which was covered with new
cloth; a handsome tabernacle was
placed between the candelabra, a rich
remOnsuance, supported by two angels,
and also an elegant pyx, shone in the
mysterious shade Of the tabernacle; a
banner in various colors, bearing the
image of the Immaculate Virgin, was
hung opposite the pulpit, and picture
eight feet high, representing the Pat
ron of the Commune, was suspended
over the high altar. Nothing had been
fOrgotten-fowers vases. candlesticks,
a new missal. censers, etc. A beauti-
full wOollen carpet on the altar steps
completed the general effect of this
work Of piety and did honor to the
taste Of the valiant sacristans. A deep
toned bell at the top of the tower re-
placed the old cracked one, which had
become hoarse, the troopers said, with
so often sounding the Alleluia on feast
days. and the De Profundis on days OF
mourning.
At length the great day arrived. One
Sunday morning the FOrty-ninth reg
iment ranged themselves in military
order before the church; a detachment
of honor lined the nave, and the Choir
listers placed themselves before the
desks The delighted inhabitants knelt
in different parts of the holy building;
all was happiness and joy; the faces
of the soldiers were radient; you could
see by their looks they had performed
a good action. At ten o'clock the good
cure of Chauvet-pale and still bear
ing traces Of recent illness-appeared
az the altar. Tears shOne in his eyes,
but they were the tears of Joy and
gratitude. On seeing him the military
band commenced the TIE Deum, and
every voice united in singing this hymn
of triumph.
Some weeks after this imposing dre-
monv sad news reached Chauvet, in
spired by a sudden impulse; and, TAX
ing from a dusty drawer two silver
dishes. which never saw daylight eX-
cepting on most important occasions,
he set off for Lyons. where the regiment
was 10 arrive on the fifth day. The
good cure had not an instant to lose, if
he wished to execute the project he
had conceived. His first care on arTiv-
ing at the ancient capital of Gaul was
TO seek out jeweler on the quay OF
Saone. This person could scarcely
forbear smiling at the sight Of the
priest. covered with dust, carrying in
his hand a thick nut stick and wearing
enormous iron sOled shoes.
From whence came you, Monsieur
le Cure?"
From ChauYet, monsieur.
"I do not know that seaport. Where
is it situated?'
On the mountains of the Alps, near
TO Briancon. But am not come here
to give q lesson in geography said the
cure. slowly. unfolding the paper in
which he had wrapped his treasure. Il
have undertaken this journey to Lyons
to sell these two covers-will you buy
them?"
you have taken long journey for
so small a thing -,
"The smallest often possesses a hid
den value. Monsieur. Now, answer!
VIII YOU buy my dishes?'
How much are they WORTH
"Thirty-three francs
THAT Is very little" said the cure,
as he searched in the pocket of his
black velvet. trousers. And this silver
watch-how much will you give for
this?"
But very little. Monsieur, for 1t has
also seen long service. All! Are all
vour household on the invalid list?'
'That does not signify. How much
is this watch wcrth?'
ct begin 10 comprehend. Monsieur