The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-04-11
WITHIN cLolSTEas.
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 the 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-
Ious fashion. There are rooms where the
gaslight burns far into the spring morn
ing. That is where the weary dressmak-
or 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 are wondering if their Easter serv-
ioe 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 a bent little sister, with a
sweet, worn face. She is watering a lit
tie bed of pansies, but inside the big
brick convent there is q sound of many
feet. The sewing class is just over, and
the girls are filing out into the study
hall to put away their workboxes-the
big, cool, clean study hall, with its shin
ing floor and very straight clean chairs.
AS the girls enter they drop deep
courtesy to a 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 a sudden
rap, and all the girls are seated.
Children" says the religieuse, I'VE
are entering upon a 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 thGe are
girls of 18 or 30 among the crowd. In 4
convent every one is a child.
The refectory is big and bare and se'
sound with long tables There is read
ing desk in the middle, but no one read
tonight. The retreat has begun. Silen
sisters enter noiselessly and pass the foot
to the silent girls When the meal Il
done, there is big dish Of warm watel
passed. Each girl thrusts in her spoon
her knife and her fork and wipes them
IL is warm in the gsrden yet, and tn
girls 20 out there. They walk in littl
groups Of three and five. A few Of then
walk alone. All of them are telling thei
beads, with murmur as OF humminI
bees The big bell rings. It's time TO
evening prayers. There is a snap Of th'
signal box; every one rises. Anothe
snap; they form in line. Another snap
they turn and walk from the room, ther
footsteps echoing on the hard floors A
the door they turn ana courtesy.
Itis 1880 o'clook--btdtime at the con
vent There is aizl1w'afr Of 'iebt IN Thy